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What does a special education itinerant teacher do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Patricia Rogan Ph.D.

Primarily, special education itinerant teachers offer educational services in the preschool classroom or child's home. The teachers help teachers or families create school or home environments which promote learning and development. They work on social interaction, behavior skills, and/or pre-academic skills for a successful school or home setting. Their job includes collaboration and consultation with the general education teachers and other members of the academic interdisciplinary team to meet the IEP requirements. They also carry out the classroom and instructional management for disturbed high school students.

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Special education itinerant teacher responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real special education itinerant teacher resumes:

  • Work in collaboration with a team of PTs, OTs, and SLPs to achieve educational goals.
  • Direct teaching of ABA programs to EI and CPSE children with Autism/PDD in the home and preschool setting.
  • Use ABA discrete trial training with children on the autism spectrum in home-base setting
  • Attend IFSP and CPSE meetings to advocate for special education services for students.
  • Provide instruction to students with a diversity of special needs: autism, emotional disturbance, developmental delays.
  • Plan and implement programs design to address IFSP goals while developing socialization and language skills.
  • Provide home-base as well as in-school SEIT services as indicated on each student s IEP.
  • Utilize ABA to create an all-inclusive curriculum to enable optimum social, physical and intellectual functioning.
  • Prepare CPSE reviews and define future goals and objectives as well as participate in discussions with parents about students' progress.
  • Conduct educational evaluations and provide SEIT services in a variety of settings.
  • Provide special education services to children attending mainstream preschools, perform educational evaluations and participate in CPSE meetings.
  • Develop and cultivate positive center and family relationships; plan, team, and implement ARD goals/objectives into early childhood curriculum.
  • Implement, formulate, and update FBA and BIP
  • Perform a variety of support activities relate to behavior management and classroom instruction of special education students.

Special education itinerant teacher skills and personality traits

We calculated that 14% of Special Education Itinerant Teachers are proficient in Autism, Early Intervention, and OT. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Patience, and Resourcefulness.

We break down the percentage of Special Education Itinerant Teachers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Autism, 14%

    Worked one-on-one with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in their natural environment.

  • Early Intervention, 13%

    Provided Special Education/Early Intervention Services for severely developmentally impaired; all Spectrum Disorders.

  • OT, 9%

    Coordinated with other therapist (speech, OT, PT) to carry out all of their IEP goals.

  • Behavior Analysis, 9%

    Develop programs designed specifically for each child utilizing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis in the home environment

  • ABA, 7%

    Adapted curriculum and method of instruction including using ABA to achieve Individualized Education Program (I.E.P.)

  • IEP Direct, 7%

    Trained in the use of IEP Direct and familiar with the state requirements for Quarterly Reporting, Annual Review and Transitioning.

Most special education itinerant teachers use their skills in "autism," "early intervention," and "ot" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential special education itinerant teacher responsibilities here:

Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a special education itinerant teacher to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "special education teachers need to explain concepts in terms that students with learning disabilities can understand." Additionally, a special education itinerant teacher resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "use of picture exchange communication system and basic sign language, aba and floor time. "

Patience. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling special education itinerant 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 education itinerant teacher resume, here's how special education itinerant teachers can utilize patience in their job responsibilities: "tutored children in various subjects, performed basic physical therapy, and taught practical life skills with patience and love. "

Resourcefulness. special education itinerant teachers are also known for resourcefulness, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to special education itinerant teacher responsibilities, because "special education teachers must develop different ways to present information that meet their students’ needs." A special education itinerant teacher resume example shows how resourcefulness is used in the workplace: "showed resourcefulness and teaching effectiveness in meeting the needs of students with limited english language proficiency as well as learning disabilities. "

Most common special education itinerant teacher skills

Choose from 10+ customizable special education itinerant teacher resume templates

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Special Education Itinerant Teacher Resume
Special Education Itinerant Teacher Resume
Special Education Itinerant Teacher Resume
Special Education Itinerant Teacher Resume
Special Education Itinerant Teacher Resume
Special Education Itinerant Teacher Resume
Special Education Itinerant Teacher Resume
Special Education Itinerant Teacher Resume
Special Education Itinerant Teacher Resume
Special Education Itinerant Teacher Resume
Special Education Itinerant Teacher Resume
Special Education Itinerant Teacher Resume
Special Education Itinerant Teacher Resume
Special Education Itinerant Teacher Resume
Special Education Itinerant Teacher Resume
Special Education Itinerant Teacher Resume

Compare different special education itinerant teachers

Special education itinerant 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.

The annual salary of teachers is $26,120 lower than the average salary of special education itinerant teachers.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both special education itinerant teacher and teacher positions are skilled in public schools, classroom management, and classroom environment.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a special education itinerant teacher are more likely to require skills like "autism," "early intervention," "ot," and "behavior analysis." On the other hand, a job as a teacher requires skills like "esl," "handle scheduling," "kids," and "cpr." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Teachers earn the highest salaries when working in the education industry, with an average yearly salary of $49,700. On the other hand, special education itinerant teachers are paid more in the professional industry with an average salary of $79,522.The education levels that teachers earn slightly differ from special education itinerant teachers. In particular, teachers are 31.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a special education itinerant teacher. Additionally, they're 1.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Special education itinerant teacher vs. Day care teacher

A Daycare Teacher is an individual who educates young children and toddlers with lessons and daily activities. Daycare Teachers perform various tasks that include grading student assignments and worksheets, encouraging good manners and positive behavior, and stimulating students intellectually using different learning methods such as games and stories. They will communicate with parents and provide them updates on their children's progress. They will also identify behavioral issues and create strategies to resolve them.

Day care teacher positions earn lower pay than special education itinerant teacher roles. They earn a $42,878 lower salary than special education itinerant teachers per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both special education itinerant teachers and day care teachers have skills such as "classroom management," "classroom environment," and "social development. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, special education itinerant teacher responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "autism," "early intervention," "ot," and "behavior analysis." Meanwhile, a day care teacher has duties that require skills in areas such as "kids," "child care," "cpr," and "learning environment." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Day care teachers earn lower levels of education than special education itinerant teachers in general. They're 41.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for special education itinerant teachers in the next 3-5 years?

Patricia Rogan Ph.D.Patricia Rogan Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Professor, Special Education/Urban Teacher Education, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis

Educators will continue to advance learning in online or virtual contexts and will use a wider variety of e-learning tools and resources to bring the curriculum to life. Schools will ensure that students have access to computers and the internet, and students will be more tech-savvy as a result of increased online learning. Specific technology that enhances and enriches students' individualized experiences with content and instruction will be key. For example, future teachers may want to become familiarized with technology (including assistive technology) that facilitates learning for students with learning disabilities, students who are emergent bilinguals, and students who may need to access applications or software that engages visual, auditory, tactile, and/or kinesthetic learning in a multitude of ways.

Special education itinerant teacher vs. Pre-k teacher

Pre-K teachers play an essential role in the lives of young children ages three to five years old by developing and nurturing their interest in subjects appropriate for their age. They promote a creative learning environment and encourage social interactions among students while providing the fundamental educational foundation that will prepare them for a successful start to kindergarten. They are responsible for overseeing children during their mealtimes, reinforcing personal hygiene, and developing children's social skills. Pre-K teachers also plan curriculum and work with other school staff members.

An average pre-k teacher eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of special education itinerant teachers. The difference in salaries amounts to pre-k teachers earning a $33,808 lower average salary than special education itinerant teachers.Using the responsibilities included on special education itinerant teachers and pre-k teachers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "classroom management," "classroom environment," and "instructional materials.rdquo;

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a special education itinerant teacher is likely to be skilled in "autism," "early intervention," "ot," and "behavior analysis," while a typical pre-k teacher is skilled in "kids," "math," "help support," and "language arts."

Pre-k teachers typically earn lower educational levels compared to special education itinerant teachers. Specifically, they're 34.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Special education itinerant teacher vs. Middle school teacher

A middle school teacher is responsible for teaching students in grades six to eight, following a curriculum that fits on their grade levels to prepare them for the next advancement. Middle school teachers strategize effective lesson plans, engaging activities, and assessments to test the students' knowledge and understanding of the learning materials. They also observe the personal and developmental behaviors of the students by conducting group activities and performance. A middle school teacher identifies the students' strengths and weaknesses, adjusting the learning approach as needed to cater to each student's needs and difficulties.

Middle school teachers average a lower salary than the annual salary of special education itinerant teachers. The difference is about $20,746 per year.According to resumes from special education itinerant teachers and middle school teachers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "public schools," "classroom management," and "progress monitoring. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between special education itinerant teachers and middle school teachers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a special education itinerant teacher might have more use for skills like "autism," "early intervention," "ot," and "behavior analysis." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of middle school teachers require skills like "professional development," "math," "curriculum development," and "student learning. "

Middle school teachers enjoy the best pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $53,168. For comparison, special education itinerant teachers earn the highest salary in the professional industry.middle school teachers reach lower levels of education compared to special education itinerant teachers, in general. The difference is that they're 24.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of special education itinerant teacher

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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