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The differences between special ed teachers and head teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a head teacher has an average salary of $51,715, which is higher than the $49,456 average annual salary of a special ed teacher.
The top three skills for a special ed teacher include classroom management, instructional materials and behavior management. The most important skills for a head teacher are classroom management, child care, and creative curriculum.
| Special ED Teacher | Head Teacher | |
| Yearly salary | $49,456 | $51,715 |
| Hourly rate | $23.78 | $24.86 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 71,990 | 73,756 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Special ED teachers are teaching professionals who create and apply appropriate curricula and assign activities for students with special needs and disabilities. These teachers must work with the parents, general education teachers, and the school administrators to develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for each student. They are required to monitor the behavioral patterns of children with special needs while keeping track of their progress. Special ED teachers must also mentor other professionals who are involved with children with disabilities.
A headteacher is responsible for monitoring the students' overall learning process, managing and evaluating the performance of school staff, implementing effective learning strategies for the students, encouraging them to reach their maximum potential, and gain self-confidence. Headteachers often lead meetings, especially discussing school activities and the child's performance to their parents, implementing safety policies, and enforcing disciplinary actions for policy violations. A headteacher must have excellent leadership and communication skills to handle the students' needs and support their high-quality performance.
Special ed teachers and head teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Special ED Teacher | Head Teacher | |
| Average salary | $49,456 | $51,715 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $71,000 | Between $32,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Whitby School | Grand View Health |
| Best paying industry | Education | Retail |
There are a few differences between a special ed teacher and a head teacher in terms of educational background:
| Special ED Teacher | Head Teacher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Special Education | Early Childhood Education |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between special ed teachers' and head teachers' demographics:
| Special ED Teacher | Head Teacher | |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 29.7% Female, 70.3% | Male, 13.8% Female, 86.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 3.6% White, 71.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 9% |