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Special education instructor vs resource teacher

The differences between special education instructors and resource teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a resource teacher has an average salary of $43,487, which is higher than the $34,380 average annual salary of a special education instructor.

The top three skills for a special education instructor include autism, data collection and ABA. The most important skills for a resource teacher are classroom management, math, and professional development.

Special education instructor vs resource teacher overview

Special Education InstructorResource Teacher
Yearly salary$34,380$43,487
Hourly rate$16.53$20.91
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs82,79373,796
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4342
Years of experience--

What does a special education instructor do?

These education instructors provide verified and special instructions to deal with the instructional objectives/goals featured within each learner's IEP. They assess learners' progress and identify if there is a need to reinforce or adjust instructional techniques. They make it easy for learners to attain their IEP objectives by employing different teaching principles, methods, and techniques. Besides evaluating and re-evaluating special education, These education instructors also direct, supervise and evaluate educational assistants where possible. These professionals also perform their duties based on federal and state regulations and rules and school board policies.

What does a resource teacher do?

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.

Special education instructor vs resource teacher salary

Special education instructors and resource teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Special Education InstructorResource Teacher
Average salary$34,380$43,487
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $54,000Between $15,000 And $123,000
Highest paying CityMartinez, CASalinas, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaCalifornia
Best paying companyMissouri State UniversityBoston Public Schools
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between special education instructor and resource teacher education

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

Special Education InstructorResource Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorSpecial EducationSpecial Education
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Special education instructor vs resource teacher demographics

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

Special Education InstructorResource Teacher
Average age4342
Gender ratioMale, 36.8% Female, 63.2%Male, 18.4% Female, 81.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 3.6% White, 70.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage8%9%

Differences between special education instructor and resource teacher duties and responsibilities

Special education instructor example 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.
  • Administer individualized instruction in reading and math to students in special education and general education as a push-in and pull-out instructor.
  • Design and teach a study skills class for special education students in a pull-out setting.
  • Show more

Resource teacher example responsibilities.

  • Lead the data team with interpreting results, including NWEA and other benchmark assessments.
  • Provide remedial services to students with language impairments and learning disabilities in mathematics.
  • Provide special education support for students grades k-5 who have IEP.
  • Introduce social skills instruction to kindergarten students.
  • Demonstrate effective science and mathematics instructional practices when working with students.
  • Teach reading and math to students requiring remedial work that incorporates district approve curriculum objectives.
  • Show more

Special education instructor vs resource teacher skills

Common special education instructor skills
  • Autism, 14%
  • Data Collection, 9%
  • ABA, 8%
  • Early Intervention, 7%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • Kids, 7%
Common resource teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 7%
  • Math, 7%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • Mathematics, 7%
  • Student Learning, 6%
  • Behavior Management, 6%

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