What does a special education resource teacher do?
Special education resource teachers are teaching professionals who are responsible for handling students diagnosed with learning disabilities and behavioral issues in public and private schools. These teachers must create and monitor their individualized education plans (IEPs) goals by teaming up with specialists and educators while assessing the needs of their students. They must provide modified instruction and learning activities to help general education teachers maximize the learning activities of their students. Special education resource teachers must also conduct professional development workshops with their colleagues.
Special education resource teacher responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real special education resource teacher resumes:
- Lead the data team with interpreting results, including NWEA and other benchmark assessments.
- Collaborate with regular education teachers to provide education in an inclusion setting for 5th grade mathematics and 4th grade language arts.
- Deliver remedial instruction in mathematics and language arts
- Develop, document and facilitate IEP meetings, collaborate with support services and relate service providers.
- Lead teacher for Pre-K classroom, planning and implementing daily activities and curriculum to enhance child development.
- Provide classroom support for a state-fund developmental Pre-K program.
- Work on individual plan using BIP and FBA.
Special education resource teacher skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Special Education Resource Teachers are proficient in Classroom Management, IEP, and Professional Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Patience, and Resourcefulness.
We break down the percentage of Special Education Resource Teachers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Classroom Management, 14%
Establish effective classroom management techniques and procedures for maintaining an environment conducive to learning for all students.
- IEP, 10%
Worked together to modify instruction and assignments to maintain compliance with IEP accommodations/modifications for each student.
- Professional Development, 8%
Collaborated with colleagues on a daily basis and attended professional development within the district.
- Instructional Strategies, 6%
Plan, design, and implement effective instructional strategies and curriculum adaptations for special needs students in Adult Education programs.
- Math, 6%
Developed Individual Education Plans for students who were below level in core subjects, with and emphasis in Reading and Math.
- Autism, 5%
Organized social interventions and facilitated groups to students diagnosed with emotional disabilities and Autism.
Most special education resource teachers use their skills in "classroom management," "iep," and "professional development" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential special education resource teacher responsibilities here:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a special education resource 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 resource teacher resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "fostered parent communication and participation in the creation and implementation of individualized education programs for special-needs students. "
Patience. Many special education resource teacher duties rely on patience. "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.," so a special education resource teacher will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways special education resource teacher responsibilities rely on patience: "tutored children in various subjects, performed basic physical therapy, and taught practical life skills with patience and love. "
Resourcefulness. special education resource teachers are also known for resourcefulness, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to special education resource teacher responsibilities, because "special education teachers must develop different ways to present information that meet their students’ needs." A special education resource 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. "
The three companies that hire the most special education resource teachers are:
- Wayne RESA6 special education resource teachers jobs
- Montgomery County Public Schools5 special education resource teachers jobs
- K123 special education resource teachers jobs
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Compare different special education resource teachers
Special education resource teacher vs. Infant and toddler teacher
An infant and toddler teacher is an individual who aids in the cognitive and social development of preschool children by teaching them the most basic skills that focus on play-centered learning and creativity. Infant and toddler teachers must help children develop positive self-images and encourage them to explore their interests and develop social skills. They must plan and carry out a curriculum that teaches children basic skills such as color, shape, and letter recognition. Infant and toddler teachers must also meet the children's parents to discuss concerns.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between special education resource teachers and infant and toddler teacher. For instance, special education resource teacher responsibilities require skills such as "iep," "instructional strategies," "math," and "autism." Whereas a infant and toddler teacher is skilled in "cpr," "child care," "child development," and "classroom environment." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Infant and toddler teachers tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $37,267. In contrast, special education resource teachers make the biggest average salary, $49,671, in the education industry.infant and toddler teachers tend to reach lower levels of education than special education resource teachers. In fact, infant and toddler teachers are 24.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Special education resource 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.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that special education resource teacher responsibilities requires skills like "instructional strategies," "autism," "behavior management," and "adaptive." But a teacher might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "esl," "handle scheduling," "kids," and "cpr."
On average, teachers earn a lower salary than special education resource teachers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, teachers earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $49,700. Whereas special education resource teachers have higher pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $49,671.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Teachers tend to reach lower levels of education than special education resource teachers. In fact, they're 14.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for special education resource teachers in the next 3-5 years?
Patricia Rogan Ph.D.
Professor, Special Education/Urban Teacher Education, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
Special education resource teacher vs. Elementary school teacher
Elementary school teachers are trained to provide education to children from kindergarten through fifth grade. The teachers are responsible for children's emotional and educational growth in the classroom. They manage the resources and materials to be used for their education. It is part of their duties to evaluate the students' performance, social development, physical health, and behavior. Also, they adapt to teaching methods and instructions to meet the interests and needs of the children.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, special education resource teachers are more likely to have skills like "autism," "behavior management," "adaptive," and "general education curriculum." But a elementary school teacher is more likely to have skills like "mathematics," "classroom environment," "student learning," and "state standards."
Elementary school teachers make a very good living in the government industry with an average annual salary of $56,048. On the other hand, special education resource teachers are paid the highest salary in the education industry, with average annual pay of $49,671.Most elementary school teachers achieve a lower degree level compared to special education resource teachers. For example, they're 11.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Special education resource teacher vs. Learning support teacher
Learning support teachers focus on offering out-of-school education to pupils who need additional help. Their duties include planning and implementing constructive teaching policies as well as collaborating with parents, other relevant professionals, and personnel. They assist pupils in adapting and overcoming problems that emerge due to learning difficulties. Also, the design and foster suitable skills and social abilities as well as motivate students to develop independence, self-confidence, and to achieve their full potential. Additionally, they develop and deliver lessons as well as record and assess children's progress.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between special education resource teachers and learning support teachers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a special education resource teacher might have more use for skills like "autism," "learning styles," "behavior management," and "adaptive." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of learning support teachers require skills like "mathematics," "classroom environment," "academic support," and "student learning. "
In general, learning support teachers earn the most working in the education industry, with an average salary of $35,976. The highest-paying industry for a special education resource teacher is the education industry.In general, learning support teachers hold lower degree levels compared to special education resource teachers. Learning support teachers are 8.1% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of special education resource teacher
Updated January 8, 2025
