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What is a special education instructor and how to become one
Unlike regular teachers, special education instructors go through specialized education and training to meet the needs of students with disabilities. Through special instruction, these modern-day heroes help students reach their potential both outside and inside the classroom despite their disability. And because students with disabilities have varying levels of needs, special education instructors spend most of their time designing Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) for each student and then implementing them in the most effective ways possible.
Special education instructors also work closely with parents and other school officials to provide each child with the best quality of education. On top of that, they may also be responsible for providing remedial classes for students who need extra help with certain topics.
To become a special education instructor, you would need to have a bachelor's or master's degree in special education. You would also need to complete a teaching internship in a special education classroom, pass state-required tests for special education teachers, and obtain a teaching license. If you have the skill, passion, and patience to teach special education students, you can expect to earn about $23.77 an hour or roughly $49,434 a year.
What general advice would you give to a special education instructor?
Patricia Rogan Ph.D.
Professor, Special Education/Urban Teacher Education, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
Avg. Salary $34,380
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 4%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.37%
Asian 3.63%
Black or African American 9.49%
Hispanic or Latino 11.66%
Unknown 3.96%
White 70.87%
Genderfemale 63.24%
male 36.76%
Age - 42American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 42Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is fair
6.4 - fair
Special education instructor career paths
Key steps to become a special education instructor
Explore special education instructor education requirements
Start to develop specific special education instructor skills
Skills Percentages Autism 13.88% Data Collection 8.66% ABA 8.03% Early Intervention 7.39% Professional Development 7.01% Research special education instructor duties and responsibilities
- Lead the data team with interpreting results, including NWEA and other benchmark assessments.
- Assist classroom teacher in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics.
- Supervise and assign personnel to meet daily ESE departmental objectives.
- Facilitate college preparation and scholarship processes and teach remedial and intervention mathematics and strategic reading classes.
Prepare your special education instructor resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your special education instructor resume.
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Apply for special education instructor jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a special education instructor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first special education instructor job
Are you a special education instructor?
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Average special education instructor salary
The average special education instructor salary in the United States is $34,380 per year or $17 per hour. Special education instructor salaries range between $21,000 and $54,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do special education instructors rate their job?
Special education instructor reviews
As a paraprofessional, you often get left out of Professional Development activities, vertical team meetings, etc. and have a limited capacity to influence educational decisions within the organization.
Helping students with various intellectual or behavior disabilities to be successful in the classroom and in life.
The kids light up my days.
The demand and low pay. Teachers have families, too.
You got to work with learners who will love you unconditionally. It gives a great satisfaction to be able to help them. I love learners with Special Needs and I am a Mom of one.
I can't say, maybe because there is none.
Updated January 8, 2025
