What does a secondary special education teacher do?
Secondary special education teacher responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real secondary special education teacher resumes:
- Lead the data team with interpreting results, including NWEA and other benchmark assessments.
- Update IEPs and other documents such as 504 plans, BIPs and FBAs for students.
- Expand the special education math curriculum to include algebra, geometry and personal finance.
- Update IEPs and other documents privy to the student's academic social well being.
- Schedule ARD meetings and draft ARD paperwork by collaborating with student, parent and staff.
- Deliver instruction in the areas of reading decoding, reading comprehension, writing, and mathematics.
- Attend ARD meetings and create IEP's so that teachers can adapt their instruction to special education students.
- Plan curriculum for students with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities, autism and emotional/behavioral disorders in age appropriate general education classrooms.
- Lead the data team with interpreting results, including NWEA and other benchmark assessments.
Secondary special education teacher skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Secondary Special Education Teachers are proficient in IEPs, K-12, and Math. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Patience, and Resourcefulness.
We break down the percentage of Secondary Special Education Teachers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- IEPs, 15%
Prepare and evaluate individualized education programs (IEPS), and provide input during annual reviews.
- K-12, 13%
Experienced at both regular education and alternative education K-12 planning and organizing instructional methods for youth with intellectual and behavioral challenges.
- Math, 12%
Provided curriculum and instruction and used supplemental resources in English and Math for sixth and seventh grade students.
- Autism, 9%
Provided ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy for students with Autism.
- Public Schools, 8%
Worked collaboratively with the public schools to develop Individualized Education Plans for students placed at our facility.
- Student Learning, 8%
Prepared lessons accommodating the differences of student learning styles.
Common skills that a secondary special education teacher uses to do their job include "ieps," "k-12," and "math." You can find details on the most important secondary special education teacher responsibilities below.
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a secondary special education teacher to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what secondary special education teachers do because "special education teachers need to explain concepts in terms that students with learning disabilities can understand." Additionally, a secondary special education teacher resume shows how secondary special education teachers use communication skills: "self-contained, kindergarten; academic, behavioral, and communication support"
Patience. Another essential skill to perform secondary special education teacher duties is patience. Secondary special education teachers responsibilities require that "special education teachers must be able to stay calm instructing students with disabilities, who may lack basic skills, present behavioral or other challenges, or require repeated efforts to understand material." Secondary special education teachers also use patience in their role according to a real resume snippet: "demonstrate patience and understanding while providing individualized instruction in a safe, inclusive classroom learning environment for students with significant disabilities. "
Resourcefulness. secondary special education teachers are also known for resourcefulness, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to secondary special education teacher responsibilities, because "special education teachers must develop different ways to present information that meet their students’ needs." A secondary special education teacher resume example shows how resourcefulness is used in the workplace: "showed resourcefulness and teaching effectiveness in meeting the needs of students with limited english language proficiency as well as learning disabilities. "
The three companies that hire the most secondary special education teachers are:
- Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES2 secondary special education teachers jobs
- Downey Unified School District
2 secondary special education teachers jobs
- Bright Star Schools2 secondary special education teachers jobs
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Compare different secondary special education teachers
Secondary special education teacher vs. Teacher
Being a teacher is one of the most passionate professions, among others. Teachers educate, motivate, and guide every generation of learners to prepare them for the real world. Every teacher is unique and has their own teaching styles and methods depending on the subject they teach and the age of their students. Oftentimes they also function as a parent, counselor, coach, friend, and even a lawmaker. There is essentially no limit to the roles a teacher portrays.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, secondary special education teacher responsibilities require skills like "ieps," "autism," "english language," and "academic problems." Meanwhile a typical teacher has skills in areas such as "esl," "handle scheduling," "kids," and "cpr." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Teachers tend to make the most money working in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $49,700. In contrast, secondary special education teachers make the biggest average salary, $56,900, in the education industry.On average, teachers reach lower levels of education than secondary special education teachers. Teachers are 8.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Secondary special education teacher vs. Reading specialist
Reach truck operators are responsible for safely using reach trucks (forklifts). They operate their reach truck to load, move, and unload new warehouse or sizeable retail store materials. Operators will need various mechanical and communication skills, as well as good visual acuity. Obtaining the proper licensure and understanding the safety protocols involved with heavy machinery is important to the job.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, secondary special education teacher responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "ieps," "math," "autism," and "social development." Meanwhile, a reading specialist has duties that require skills in areas such as "language arts," "assessment data," "k-8," and "staff development." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Reading specialists earn a higher average salary than secondary special education teachers. But reading specialists earn the highest pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $53,155. Additionally, secondary special education teachers earn the highest salaries in the education with average pay of $56,900 annually.In general, reading specialists achieve higher levels of education than secondary special education teachers. They're 9.7% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for secondary special education teachers in the next 3-5 years?
Patricia Rogan Ph.D.
Professor, Special Education/Urban Teacher Education, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
Secondary special education teacher vs. Resource teacher
A Resource Teacher is responsible for providing curriculum support systems for students, teachers, and administrators. Another role of a Resource Teacher is to assist the class teacher and provide additional support for children with moderate learning difficulties.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a secondary special education teacher is likely to be skilled in "k-12," "autism," "english language," and "academic problems," while a typical resource teacher is skilled in "professional development," "behavior management," "student achievement," and "esl."
Resource teachers make a very good living in the manufacturing industry with an average annual salary of $50,696. On the other hand, secondary special education teachers are paid the highest salary in the education industry, with average annual pay of $56,900.resource teachers typically earn similar educational levels compared to secondary special education teachers. Specifically, they're 1.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Secondary special education teacher vs. Mentor teacher
Types of secondary special education teacher
Updated January 8, 2025
