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Resource specialist teacher vs lead teacher

The differences between resource specialist teachers and lead teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a resource specialist teacher has an average salary of $52,552, which is higher than the $33,652 average annual salary of a lead teacher.

The top three skills for a resource specialist teacher include professional development, classroom management and autism. The most important skills for a lead teacher are CPR, customer service, and child care.

Resource specialist teacher vs lead teacher overview

Resource Specialist TeacherLead Teacher
Yearly salary$52,552$33,652
Hourly rate$25.27$16.18
Growth rate4%5%
Number of jobs76,36856,131
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age4443
Years of experience-2

What does a resource specialist teacher do?

Resource specialist teachers help principals and designees in establishing and putting the individualized education program into use. These professionals offer ongoing children educational diagnosis and assessment to identify unique learning issues and oversee the creation of individual instructional programs. Besides processing special education services referrals, resource specialist teachers also offer material, consultation, and resource information related to people with exceptional needs, regular staff members, and parents. They develop and implement appropriate service sessions for learners, parents, and staff.

What does a lead teacher do?

The Lead Teacher works with parents to resolve student issues and train new teachers on effective teaching techniques. A Lead Teacher is a licensed teacher with extensive teaching experience and preferably has a master's in education or related studies. They are an integral part of a school's faculty and the principal's arm in drafting policies for implementation.

Resource specialist teacher vs lead teacher salary

Resource specialist teachers and lead teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Resource Specialist TeacherLead Teacher
Average salary$52,552$33,652
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $70,000Between $22,000 And $50,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkCalifornia
Best paying companyBoston Public SchoolsSuccess Preparatory Academy
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between resource specialist teacher and lead teacher education

There are a few differences between a resource specialist teacher and a lead teacher in terms of educational background:

Resource Specialist TeacherLead Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorElementary EducationEarly Childhood Education
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversitySan Diego State University

Resource specialist teacher vs lead teacher demographics

Here are the differences between resource specialist teachers' and lead teachers' demographics:

Resource Specialist TeacherLead Teacher
Average age4443
Gender ratioMale, 28.7% Female, 71.3%Male, 10.2% Female, 89.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 8.6% White, 55.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 3.5% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage6%12%

Differences between resource specialist teacher and lead teacher duties and responsibilities

Resource specialist teacher example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate students' daily schedules with general education teachers and support providers so that their IEP goals and objectives are accomplished.
  • Manage curriculum, facilitate IEP meetings and interface with school psychologists and social workers.
  • Assist children on the autism spectrum academically and socially to achieve integration into a mainstream educational environment.
  • Advance academic achievement by effectively teaching math and language arts skills to middle school students with learning disabilities.
  • Assist teachers in delivering differentiate instruction: English and math.
  • Demonstrate dedication to academic excellence by successfully teaching art and mathematics to drug rehabilitation adolescents.
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Lead teacher example responsibilities.

  • Plan and implement theme and project-base lessons that incorporate math, literacy, science, physical development, and social/emotional skills.
  • Cultivate and foster safe and effective learning environment conducive for Pre-K students.
  • Model positive behavior management techniques through daily contact with children and early childhood staff in the classroom.
  • Develop lesson plans on a bi-weekly basis that comply with early childhood standards and relate to the weekly theme.
  • Require CPR certification and ongoing continuing education.
  • Develop programs that introduce math and literacy concepts.
  • Show more

Resource specialist teacher vs lead teacher skills

Common resource specialist teacher skills
  • Professional Development, 8%
  • Classroom Management, 7%
  • Autism, 7%
  • Learning Process, 6%
  • Staff Development, 6%
  • Mathematics, 6%
Common lead teacher skills
  • CPR, 19%
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Child Care, 17%
  • Child Development, 15%
  • Classroom Management, 11%
  • Pre-K, 3%

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