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Resource specialist teacher vs special education teacher

The differences between resource specialist teachers and special education teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a special education teacher has an average salary of $54,290, which is higher than the $52,552 average annual salary of a resource specialist teacher.

The top three skills for a resource specialist teacher include professional development, classroom management and autism. The most important skills for a special education teacher are classroom management, autism, and behavior management.

Resource specialist teacher vs special education teacher overview

Resource Specialist TeacherSpecial Education Teacher
Yearly salary$52,552$54,290
Hourly rate$25.27$26.10
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs76,36867,699
Job satisfaction-4.33
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4443
Years of experience--

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 special education teacher do?

A special education teacher is responsible for teaching students with disabilities. Special education teachers are trained professionals to provide distinct learning instructions for children with special cases for them to achieve their potentials and improve their self-confidence. A special education teacher must have excellent communication and organizational skills to assist the students with their learning areas. Special education teachers should be able to come up with engaging activities to support the students' behavioral and intellectual development.

Resource specialist teacher vs special education teacher salary

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

Resource Specialist TeacherSpecial Education Teacher
Average salary$52,552$54,290
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $70,000Between $39,000 And $73,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCBaltimore, MD
Highest paying stateNew YorkMaryland
Best paying companyBoston Public SchoolsBaltimore City Public Schools
Best paying industryEducationGovernment

Differences between resource specialist teacher and special education teacher education

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

Resource Specialist TeacherSpecial Education Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorElementary EducationSpecial Education
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Resource specialist teacher vs special education teacher demographics

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

Resource Specialist TeacherSpecial Education Teacher
Average age4443
Gender ratioMale, 28.7% Female, 71.3%Male, 24.6% Female, 75.4%
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, 9.4% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 3.6% White, 71.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage6%8%

Differences between resource specialist teacher and special education 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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Special education teacher example responsibilities.

  • Lead a DIBELS intervention group.
  • Lead the data team with interpreting results, including NWEA and other benchmark assessments.
  • Design a unique and differentiate curriculum that addressed state standards for both mathematics and special education.
  • Educate special needs kids with mental and physical disabilities using proven conventional and improvise teaching/learning methods.
  • Plan appropriate lessons align to NYS CCSS.
  • Instruct and create ELA lessons through Fountas and Pinnell and Fundations.
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Resource specialist teacher vs special education teacher skills

Common resource specialist teacher skills
  • Professional Development, 8%
  • Classroom Management, 7%
  • Autism, 7%
  • Learning Process, 6%
  • Staff Development, 6%
  • Mathematics, 6%
Common special education teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 11%
  • Autism, 10%
  • Behavior Management, 6%
  • IEPs, 6%
  • Professional Development, 6%
  • Student Learning, 6%

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