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What is a learning disabilities teacher and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Diana Jones

A learning disabilities teacher is an individual who works with students who have learning disabilities and helps them develop their academic and life skills. They create and implement specialized lesson plans, provide one-on-one attention, and use various teaching techniques to help their students learn effectively. Learning disabilities teachers also work with parents, teachers, and other professionals to develop individualized education plans (IEPs), provide emotional support to their students, and monitor the progress of their students.

What general advice would you give to a learning disabilities teacher?

Dr. Diana JonesDr. Diana Jones LinkedIn profile

Chair, Department of Kinesiology, Anderson University

General advice: I would encourage graduates to find a mentor who can guide them in their careers, stay on top of the latest technology, not be too hard on themselves, be flexible, be team players, be present, and care about their students.
ScoreLearning Disabilities TeacherUS Average
Salary
3.1

Avg. Salary $39,809

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
9.1

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.38%

Asian 3.64%

Black or African American 9.54%

Hispanic or Latino 11.71%

Unknown 3.97%

White 70.76%

Gender

female 79.55%

male 20.45%

Age - 42
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42
Stress level
9.1

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.5

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a learning disabilities teacher?

Pros

  • Making a positive impact on students' lives

  • Rewarding to see progress and growth in students

  • Chance to use creativity in lesson planning and adapting to individual student needs

  • Job stability and demand for special education teachers

  • Competitive salary and benefits

Cons

  • Limited resources and funding for special education programs

  • Dealing with parents who may be uncooperative or difficult to work with

  • Long hours, including after-school meetings and events

  • Constantly adapting to changes in policies and regulations

  • Pressure to meet academic goals and standards set by school administration

Learning disabilities teacher career paths

Key steps to become a learning disabilities teacher

  1. Explore learning disabilities teacher education requirements

    Most common learning disabilities teacher degrees

    Bachelor's

    60.3 %

    Master's

    27.0 %

    Associate

    6.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific learning disabilities teacher skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Professional Development12.70%
    Student Learning10.22%
    Learning Disabilities9.13%
    Public Schools7.53%
    IEPs6.75%
  3. Research learning disabilities teacher duties and responsibilities

    • Lead parent/teacher conferences, write report cards, attend CSE meetings.
    • Work with general education teachers to modify lessons in the areas of math, science, history, and language arts.
    • Develop ABA interventions for students and staff.
    • Improve children's mathematics, reading, and writing skills.
  4. Prepare your learning disabilities teacher resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your learning disabilities teacher resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a learning disabilities teacher resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable learning disabilities teacher resume templates

    Build a professional learning disabilities teacher resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your learning disabilities teacher resume.
    Learning Disabilities Teacher Resume
    Learning Disabilities Teacher Resume
    Learning Disabilities Teacher Resume
    Learning Disabilities Teacher Resume
    Learning Disabilities Teacher Resume
    Learning Disabilities Teacher Resume
    Learning Disabilities Teacher Resume
    Learning Disabilities Teacher Resume
    Learning Disabilities Teacher Resume
  5. Apply for learning disabilities teacher jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a learning disabilities teacher job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first learning disabilities teacher job

Zippi

Are you a learning disabilities teacher?

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Average learning disabilities teacher salary

The average learning disabilities teacher salary in the United States is $39,809 per year or $19 per hour. Learning disabilities teacher salaries range between $28,000 and $54,000 per year.

Average learning disabilities teacher salary
$39,809 Yearly
$19.14 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do learning disabilities teachers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Learning disabilities teacher reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2023
Pros

The kids light up my days.

Cons

The demand and low pay. Teachers have families, too.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2022
Pros

You got to work with learners who will love you unconditionally. It gives a great satisfaction to be able to help them. I love learners with Special Needs and I am a Mom of one.

Cons

I can't say, maybe because there is none.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2022
Pros

Kids, teaching lessons, co-teachers, hours, weekends off, salary, holidays off, summers off, paid sick and personal days

Cons

Administration, observations, being told what to teach and HOW to teach it, expecting us to participate in things we might not want to or have the time for, staff meetings with no substance


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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