What does a special day class teacher do?
Special day class teacher responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real special day class teacher resumes:
- Manage student behavior and administer discipline including crises intervention and physical restraint of students according to IEP.
- Core grade level literature and basic math with modifications.
- Construct project base learning experiences integrating math, science and visual arts.
- Instruct students with special needs in behavior intervention skills, study skills and social skills.
- Work with``case study"students with assessments and witness their vast improvement over the semester
- Develop effective lessons plans base on student's IEP goals and objectives and incorporate culturally relevant and responsive teaching methods.
- Facilitate instruction to children in the elementary level with primary disability of autism, mild/moderate mental retardation and multiple disabilities.
- Lead the data team with interpreting results, including NWEA and other benchmark assessments.
Special day class teacher skills and personality traits
We calculated that 37% of Special Day Class Teachers are proficient in Autism, SDC, and IEP. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Patience, and Resourcefulness.
We break down the percentage of Special Day Class Teachers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Autism, 37%
Instructed General Education Core Curriculum to 3rd-5th grade SDC students with High Functioning Autism for 3 years.
- SDC, 16%
Collaborated with a Middle School SDC Teacher with 6th-8th grade students teaching Math and Science to 40 students.
- IEP, 12%
Developed effective lessons plans based on student's IEP goals and objectives and incorporated culturally relevant and responsive teaching methods.
- Educational Programs, 10%
Designed and implemented individualized educational programs while coordinating the efforts of parents, specialists, classroom aides and administrators.
- English Language, 7%
Supported learning outside of the classroom by assisting with after school tutoring and English Language Development programs.
- Data Collection, 3%
Developed a data collection program that facilitated specific instructional design for students involved in academic and behavior interventions.
Common skills that a special day class teacher uses to do their job include "autism," "sdc," and "iep." You can find details on the most important special day class teacher responsibilities below.
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a special day class teacher to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "special education teachers need to explain concepts in terms that students with learning disabilities can understand." Special day class teachers often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "implemented applied behavioral analysis practices provided appropriate instruction through discreet trials by incorporating object/picture/word exchange communication systems. "
Patience. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling special day class teacher duties is patience. The role rewards competence in this skill because "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." According to a special day class teacher resume, here's how special day class teachers can utilize patience in their job responsibilities: "demonstrate patience and understanding while providing individualized instruction in a safe, inclusive classroom learning environment for students with significant disabilities. "
Resourcefulness. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of special day class teachers is resourcefulness. This skill is critical to many everyday special day class teacher duties, as "special education teachers must develop different ways to present information that meet their students’ needs." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "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 special day class teachers are:
- Santa Barbara County Education Office5 special day class teachers jobs
- Jefferson Elementary School District4 special day class teachers jobs
- Ocean View School District2 special day class teachers jobs
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Compare different special day class teachers
Special day class teacher vs. Director of special education
A Director Of Special Education plans, implements, and maintains special education programs and services. They also consult with parents of students enrolled in the program.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a special day class teacher are more likely to require skills like "sdc," "iep," "educational programs," and "english language." On the other hand, a job as a director of special education requires skills like "professional development," "education programs," "behavior management," and "k-12." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Directors of special education tend to make the most money working in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $69,342. In contrast, special day class teachers make the biggest average salary, $53,758, in the health care industry.On average, directors of special education reach similar levels of education than special day class teachers. Directors of special education are 1.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 6.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Special day class 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.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that special day class teacher responsibilities requires skills like "autism," "sdc," "educational programs," and "english language." But a reading specialist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "assessment data," "k-8," "staff development," and "instructional strategies."
On average, reading specialists earn a higher salary than special day class teachers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, reading specialists earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $53,155. Whereas special day class teachers have higher pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $53,758.reading specialists earn similar levels of education than special day class teachers in general. They're 1.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 6.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for special day class teachers in the next 3-5 years?
Patricia Rogan Ph.D.
Professor, Special Education/Urban Teacher Education, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
Special day class teacher vs. Learning support teacher
Learning support teachers focus on offering out-of-school education to pupils who need additional help. Their duties include planning and implementing constructive teaching policies as well as collaborating with parents, other relevant professionals, and personnel. They assist pupils in adapting and overcoming problems that emerge due to learning difficulties. Also, the design and foster suitable skills and social abilities as well as motivate students to develop independence, self-confidence, and to achieve their full potential. Additionally, they develop and deliver lessons as well as record and assess children's progress.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from special day class teacher resumes include skills like "autism," "sdc," "educational programs," and "english language," whereas a learning support teacher is more likely to list skills in "classroom management," "mathematics," "classroom environment," and "academic support. "
Learning support teachers earn the highest salary when working in the education industry, where they receive an average salary of $35,976. Comparatively, special day class teachers have the highest earning potential in the health care industry, with an average salary of $53,758.Most learning support teachers achieve a lower degree level compared to special day class teachers. For example, they're 10.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Special day class 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.
Types of special day class teacher
Updated January 8, 2025
