Post job

What does a special education preschool teacher do?

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

Special education preschool teacher responsibilities

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

  • Work in collaboration with a team of PTs, OTs, and SLPs to achieve educational goals.
  • Instruct students with disabilities, including autism, learning disabilities and early childhood delays.
  • Work as the lead classroom teacher in a preschool classroom for children with autism and relate disorders.
  • Communicate with supervising instructional staff and professional support personnel for the purpose of assisting in evaluating progress and/or implementing IEP objectives.
  • Improve students' communication and self-help skills.
  • Conduct FBA's and create BIP's as needed.
  • Perform a variety of support activities relate to behavior management and classroom instruction of special education students.

Special education preschool teacher skills and personality traits

We calculated that 23% of Special Education Preschool Teachers are proficient in Autism, Classroom Environment, and IEPs. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Interpersonal skills, and Patience.

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

  • Autism, 23%

    Teach Spanish, Math and Sensory skills to autism children during summer.

  • Classroom Environment, 12%

    Fostered skill development and basic concepts, with goal of preparing children for an integrated classroom environment.

  • IEPs, 7%

    Designed and aligned lessons/activities according to IEPs and program goals; developed stimulating bulletin board displays.

  • Classroom Management, 6%

    Developed classroom management system using class and individual picture schedules, positive reinforcement and token system.

  • ABA, 6%

    Participated in District-sponsored yearlong training and coaching of teachers in making data-driven instructional decisions based on principles of ABA.

  • NYS, 5%

    Worked after school program to provide test preparation to third graders taking the NYS exams.

Most special education preschool teachers use their skills in "autism," "classroom environment," and "ieps" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential special education preschool teacher responsibilities here:

Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a special education preschool teacher to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what special education preschool teachers do because "special education teachers need to explain concepts in terms that students with learning disabilities can understand." Additionally, a special education preschool teacher resume shows how special education preschool teachers use communication skills: "communicated student progress via parent conferences, daily communication logs and cspe meetings. "

Interpersonal skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling special education preschool teacher duties is interpersonal skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "special education teachers work regularly with a team of educators and the student’s parents to develop ieps." According to a special education preschool teacher resume, here's how special education preschool teachers can utilize interpersonal skills in their job responsibilities: "assist students with autism in developing social, interpersonal, problem solving-skills and positive behavior. "

Patience. special education preschool teachers are also known for patience, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to special education preschool teacher responsibilities, 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." A special education preschool teacher resume example shows how patience is used in the workplace: "demonstrate patience and understanding while providing individualized instruction in a safe, inclusive classroom learning environment for students with significant disabilities. "

Resourcefulness. For certain special education preschool teacher responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "resourcefulness." The day-to-day duties of a special education preschool teacher rely on this skill, as "special education teachers must develop different ways to present information that meet their students’ needs." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what special education preschool teachers do: "showed resourcefulness and teaching effectiveness in meeting the needs of students with limited english language proficiency as well as learning disabilities. "

See the full list of special education preschool teacher skills

Choose from 10+ customizable special education preschool teacher resume templates

Build a professional special education preschool teacher resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your special education preschool teacher resume.
Special Education Preschool Teacher Resume
Special Education Preschool Teacher Resume
Special Education Preschool Teacher Resume
Special Education Preschool Teacher Resume
Special Education Preschool Teacher Resume
Special Education Preschool Teacher Resume
Special Education Preschool Teacher Resume
Special Education Preschool Teacher Resume
Special Education Preschool Teacher Resume
Special Education Preschool Teacher Resume
Special Education Preschool Teacher Resume
Special Education Preschool Teacher Resume
Special Education Preschool Teacher Resume
Special Education Preschool Teacher Resume
Special Education Preschool Teacher Resume
Special Education Preschool Teacher Resume

Compare different special education preschool teachers

Special education preschool teacher vs. Teacher internship

Teaching interns are individuals who assist teachers and educators in the classroom. The interns are instructed to fulfill the tasks set out and provided by the supervisors for them. They take part in meetings and jot down their minutes. It is part of their job to conduct research at the request of the supervisor. They make updates to social media platforms and make posts. Also, they create images to be used in posts through different social media platforms.

The annual salary of teacher interns is $307 lower than the average salary of special education preschool teachers.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both special education preschool teacher and teacher internship positions are skilled in classroom environment, classroom management, and instructional materials.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a special education preschool teacher are more likely to require skills like "autism," "ieps," "aba," and "nys." On the other hand, a job as a teacher internship requires skills like "classroom management strategies," "language arts," "learning styles," and "social studies." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Teacher interns really shine in the education industry with an average salary of $47,436. Comparatively, special education preschool teachers tend to make the most money in the education industry with an average salary of $51,308.On average, teacher interns reach lower levels of education than special education preschool teachers. Teacher interns are 20.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Special education preschool teacher vs. Teacher associate

A teacher associate is responsible for assisting the teacher in classroom operations and providing teaching support for the students. Teacher associates develop learning materials according to the instructions of the headteachers, helping them to track students' progress and observing class behaviors. They also take class responsibility if the teacher is away, ensuring to keep activity records and attendance for reference. A teacher associate must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in handling students' difficulties and working with the teacher to develop techniques to address those challenges.

Teacher associate positions earn lower pay than special education preschool teacher roles. They earn a $14,698 lower salary than special education preschool teachers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Special education preschool teachers and teacher associates both require similar skills like "classroom environment," "classroom management," and "instructional materials" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real special education preschool teacher resumes. While special education preschool teacher responsibilities can utilize skills like "autism," "ieps," "aba," and "nys," teacher associates use skills like "child care," "cpr," "child development," and "cleanliness."

On average, teacher associates earn a lower salary than special education preschool teachers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, teacher associates earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $32,745. Whereas special education preschool teachers have higher pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $51,308.In general, teacher associates achieve lower levels of education than special education preschool teachers. They're 22.3% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for special education preschool 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 preschool teacher vs. Reading specialist

Reach truck operators are responsible for safely using reach trucks (forklifts). They operate their reach truck to load, move, and unload new warehouse or sizeable retail store materials. Operators will need various mechanical and communication skills, as well as good visual acuity. Obtaining the proper licensure and understanding the safety protocols involved with heavy machinery is important to the job.

On average, reading specialists earn higher salaries than special education preschool teachers, with a $9,273 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on special education preschool teachers and reading specialists resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "classroom management," "data collection," and "instructional materials.rdquo;

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, special education preschool teachers are more likely to have skills like "autism," "classroom environment," "ieps," and "aba." But a reading specialist is more likely to have skills like "language arts," "student learning," "assessment data," and "k-8."

Reading specialists earn the best pay in the education industry, where they command an average salary of $53,155. Special education preschool teachers earn the highest pay from the education industry, with an average salary of $51,308.reading specialists typically earn similar educational levels compared to special education preschool teachers. Specifically, they're 1.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Special education preschool 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.

Teachers typically earn lower pay than special education preschool teachers. On average, teachers earn a $716 lower salary per year.While both special education preschool teachers and teachers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like classroom environment, classroom management, and instructional materials, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between special education preschool teachers and teachers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a special education preschool teacher might have more use for skills like "autism," "ieps," "aba," and "nys." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of teachers require skills like "handle scheduling," "kids," "cpr," and "curriculum development. "

The education industry tends to pay the highest salaries for teachers, with average annual pay of $49,700. Comparatively, the highest special education preschool teacher annual salary comes from the education industry.teachers reach lower levels of education compared to special education preschool teachers, in general. The difference is that they're 16.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of special education preschool 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.

Browse education, training, and library jobs