Q: Are special education teachers in demand?

Yes, special education teachers are in demand. Special education teachers are expected to see a 7-8% growth over the next decade. Due to a shortage of special education teachers, in part because of a growing number of students needing an appropriate education, many schools are looking to increase their special education teaching staff.

Question 1

How long does it take to become a special education teacher?

Accepted Answer

It takes approximately five to six years to become a special education teacher. The expectation for most special education teachers is to complete a four-year bachelor's degree in education or a related field. Some individuals looking to gain more understanding and knowledge may go after their masters in education, but it isn't necessary.

Question 2

Is being a special education teacher a good career?

Accepted Answer

Yes, being a special education teacher is a good career choice. Because of the demand for special education teachers, many find themselves with more job security and career path options. Many special education teachers have also reported their careers as more rewarding and fulfilling than other types of educators.

Question 3

What are careers in special education?

Accepted Answer

Special education teachers, education coordinators, and reading specialists are careers in special education. Here are the details of these careers and others in special education:

Special education teacher
A special education teacher is an education professional who primarily works with students who have mental, physical, or emotional disabilities. They also work with students who have specific learning disabilities, such as dyslexia.
Special education teachers develop lesson plans that fit the learning capacity of their students. They may adapt pre-existing lesson plans or craft their own. They also develop and update a special education student's Individualized Education Program(IEP). This program is formed with the collaboration of parents, case managers, and school administrators.
They work with students in a one-on-one setting and also in groups as a whole. They are employed by all kinds of schools, both private and public, from preschool through college.
All special education teachers must obtain at least a master's degree in education, and most have a focus on special education.
The average salary of a special education teacher in the United States is $45,101 per year. However, some can earn up to $103,000 per year.
Education coordinator
Education coordinators develop, advise, and evaluate special education programs. This includes school curriculum and sometimes corporate training. They often act as recruiters, seeking out the most qualified special education teachers for specific posts.
In addition, they write grants related to developing programs. Education coordinators can work in every type of school setting, as well as in other industries, like information technology and healthcare.
Most have a master's degree or higher in education or education administration.
The average salary of an education coordinator in the United States is $48,450 per year.
Reading specialist
Reading specialists work with small groups of students or individual students to enhance their reading abilities. They also inform teachers, parents, students, and other school officials about specific reading challenges and the techniques that can be employed to overcome them.
They also test students to determine what level they are reading at and what types of strategies and programs may be helpful for them. They often give tests to students who are being considered for special education.
Reading specialists generally have a master's degree in reading and comprehension, education, or another related area.
The average salary of a reading specialist in the United States is $49,600 per year.
Writer
Writers work in many different areas of special education. They may write textbooks that are utilized in special education, brochures relevant to the topic, children's books, or television programming geared towards children and special needs children.
Writers often work closely with other creative professionals, such as editors, publishers, illustrators, visual artists, puppeteers, and others.
Special education experts can also use their training to write textbooks or fictional books for children with special needs. They might also contribute research findings to an educational journal.
Writers in the special needs industry often have at least a bachelor's degree in English, creative writing, education, or another relevant area. Many also have advanced degrees in these fields.
The average salary of a writer in the United States is $49,603 per year.
Special education counselor
Special education counselors are counselors in schools that help students that have mental, physical, emotional, or learning disabilities. They often help students with the difficulties they encounter in school and at home.
Sometimes they test children to determine if they are in need of special education. They also may decide whether or not a specific student receives more individual instruction in a class and may work with them in helping to achieve academic goals.
Special education counselors work with individual students and groups of special needs students.
Most special education counselors have at least a master's degree in psychology, special education, or another related field.
The average salary of a special education counselor in the United States is $51,835 per year.

Question 4

What do you teach as a special education teacher?

Accepted Answer

Special education teachers teach math, science, and writing. While these are the main areas of focus, other areas could include history and creative classes, such as music or art.

The role of a special education teacher is also to help develop necessary skills within their class or work closely with certain individuals in their classes. Depending on the student's level of severity, special education teachers may also help with a special focus on viable communication and applicable life skills.

Question 5

What is the qualification of a special educator?

Accepted Answer

Special educators require minimum qualifications of a bachelor's degree from an accredited program and a state-issued license. These qualifications ensure that the educator has completed all necessary training to engage with students who have special needs.

Question 6

Where do special ed teachers get paid the most?

Accepted Answer

Special ed teachers get paid most in Washington D.C., New York, and Pennsylvania, with runners up in Texas and Illinois. Special ed teachers may also find their skillset useful in areas such as public schools, private care centers, and private tutoring companies.

Question 7

What is a good starting salary for a Special Education Teacher?

Accepted Answer

A good starting salary for a special education teacher is $36,000 in the United States. That puts you in the 10th percentile of annual income for a special education teacher in the U.S., which is about what you would expect if you were new to the field. The average salary for special education teachers is $47,958, but that normally requires some level of experience to achieve. Furthermore, a good starting salary for a special education teacher can vary by state.

Question 8

How much do first-year special education teachers make?

Accepted Answer

First-year special education teachers make an average of $45,300.

The starting salary usually depends on the state, district, and placement of special education teachers. Some have reported having lower first-year salaries of around $35,000, depending on the state.

Question 9

Can a special education teacher make 100k?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can make $100,000 per year as a special education teacher. While possible, it is unlikely to earn over $100k as a special education teacher because even higher-paid positions do not typically earn more than $62,000 per year. The average annual salary for a special education teacher is $47,958.

Question 10

Are special education teachers in demand?

Accepted Answer

Yes, special education teachers are in demand. Special education teachers are expected to see a 7-8% growth over the next decade.

Due to a shortage of special education teachers, in part because of a growing number of students needing an appropriate education, many schools are looking to increase their special education teaching staff.

Question 11

Do special education teachers make more money than regular teachers?

Accepted Answer

No, special education teachers do not make more money than regular teachers. On a national average, special education teachers make $57,600 per year.

Regular teachers make approximately $60,300 annually. However, there are small margins for special education teachers to earn approximately $1,000 to $3,000 more per year depending on their district and state, though they could earn more based on school-level incentives.

Question 12

Where is the highest demand for special education teachers?

Accepted Answer

The highest demand for special education teachers spans 48 of the 50 states, with New Hampshire and New Mexico reporting adequate coverage. In past years, Kentucky, New York, and California have been reported as needing the most special education teachers. However, due to a nationwide teaching shortage, most states have a substantial need for special educators.

Question 13

What percentage of Special Education Teachers are female?

Accepted Answer

74.4% of special education teachers are female in the United States. This is 1.0 percentage points higher than last year. Additionally, the percentage of female special education teachers has increased by 0.7 percentage points since 2010. That means there are a total of 526,310 female special education teachers in the U.S. and 181,096 male special education teachers in the United States. Note that Zippia's estimate accounts only for the 707,406 people with the specific job title of special education teacher and doesn't include grouping similar job titles, or people with potentially similar credentialing.

Question 14

What are the skills of a special needs teacher?

Accepted Answer

Key special needs teaching skills include organization, creative thinking, patience, and acceptance. These skills are needed to ensure that a professional working as a special needs teacher can successfully work with students who have learning, mental, emotional, or physical disabilities.

Question 15

What are the three most important roles of a special education teacher?

Accepted Answer

The three most important roles of a special education teacher are being a resource, support, and mentor to their students. Special education teachers have a big impact on their students, and it is important to understand the nuances of the roles that a teacher fills to be successful within the role.

Question 16

What should a special education teacher put on a resume?

Accepted Answer

A special education teacher should put all relevant information regarding their skills and expertise in special education on a resume. A special education teacher should include any prior work experience in special education, their teaching license, and bachelor's degree in special education on their resume.

Question 17

What does a special education teacher do on a daily basis?

Accepted Answer

A special education teacher provides individualized instruction, collaborates with other teachers and special education professionals, and performs assessments and monitors student progress on a daily basis. Here are some details on the common daily activities of a special education teacher:

Frequently asked questions about special education teachers

Questions about becoming a special education teacher