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Special education instructor vs special education teacher

The differences between special education instructors and special education teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a special education teacher has an average salary of $54,290, 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 special education teacher are classroom management, autism, and behavior management.

Special education instructor vs special education teacher overview

Special Education InstructorSpecial Education Teacher
Yearly salary$34,380$54,290
Hourly rate$16.53$26.10
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs82,79367,699
Job satisfaction-4.33
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4343
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 special education teacher do?

A special education teacher is responsible for teaching students with disabilities. Special education teachers are trained professionals to provide distinct learning instructions for children with special cases for them to achieve their potentials and improve their self-confidence. A special education teacher must have excellent communication and organizational skills to assist the students with their learning areas. Special education teachers should be able to come up with engaging activities to support the students' behavioral and intellectual development.

Special education instructor vs special education teacher salary

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

Special Education InstructorSpecial Education Teacher
Average salary$34,380$54,290
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $54,000Between $39,000 And $73,000
Highest paying CityMartinez, CABaltimore, MD
Highest paying stateAlaskaMaryland
Best paying companyMissouri State UniversityBaltimore City Public Schools
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between special education instructor and special education teacher education

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

Special Education InstructorSpecial Education Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorSpecial EducationSpecial Education
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Special education instructor vs special education teacher demographics

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

Special Education InstructorSpecial Education Teacher
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 36.8% Female, 63.2%Male, 24.6% Female, 75.4%
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, 9.4% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 3.6% White, 71.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between special education instructor and special education 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

Special education teacher example responsibilities.

  • Lead a DIBELS intervention group.
  • Lead the data team with interpreting results, including NWEA and other benchmark assessments.
  • Design a unique and differentiate curriculum that addressed state standards for both mathematics and special education.
  • Educate special needs kids with mental and physical disabilities using proven conventional and improvise teaching/learning methods.
  • Plan appropriate lessons align to NYS CCSS.
  • Instruct and create ELA lessons through Fountas and Pinnell and Fundations.
  • Show more

Special education instructor vs special education teacher skills

Common special education instructor skills
  • Autism, 14%
  • Data Collection, 9%
  • ABA, 8%
  • Early Intervention, 7%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • Kids, 7%
Common special education teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 11%
  • Autism, 10%
  • Behavior Management, 6%
  • IEPs, 6%
  • Professional Development, 6%
  • Student Learning, 6%

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