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Special education teacher vs science teacher

The differences between special education teachers and science teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a science teacher has an average salary of $59,788, which is higher than the $54,290 average annual salary of a special education teacher.

The top three skills for a special education teacher include classroom management, autism and behavior management. The most important skills for a science teacher are classroom management, professional development, and student learning.

Special education teacher vs science teacher overview

Special Education TeacherScience Teacher
Yearly salary$54,290$59,788
Hourly rate$26.10$28.74
Growth rate4%5%
Number of jobs67,69971,133
Job satisfaction4.33-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4343
Years of experience-2

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.

What does a science teacher do?

A science teacher is responsible for teaching scientific concepts and disciplines, helping learners to understand systems, procedures, and generate ideas using scientific evidence and approaches. Science teachers create engaging lesson plans and activities for the learners, including laboratory works, group research, and field experiments. They also demonstrate methods and present scientific research to support their observations. A science teacher evaluates the students' learning by giving them written or practical exams, including problem-solving and scientific methods.

Special education teacher vs science teacher salary

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

Special Education TeacherScience Teacher
Average salary$54,290$59,788
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $73,000Between $40,000 And $87,000
Highest paying CityBaltimore, MDBoston, MA
Highest paying stateMarylandMassachusetts
Best paying companyBaltimore City Public SchoolsPace University
Best paying industryGovernmentEducation

Differences between special education teacher and science teacher education

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

Special Education TeacherScience Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorSpecial EducationBiology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityHarvard University

Special education teacher vs science teacher demographics

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

Special Education TeacherScience Teacher
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 24.6% Female, 75.4%Male, 42.1% Female, 57.9%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 3.6% White, 71.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage8%12%

Differences between special education teacher and science teacher duties and responsibilities

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

Science teacher example responsibilities.

  • Create single gender classes in 7th and 8th grade math and language classes to increase student achievement and decrease discipline referrals.
  • Prepare and instruct biology, botany, chemistry, genetics, microbiology and zoology laboratories.
  • Further students' education on math/science including general science and pre-algebra through curriculum development and hands on instruction.
  • Create and implement appropriate science education programs for k-12 youth.
  • Teach kids fun, invigorating science lessons in after school programming .!
  • Challenge and support urban youth and ESL students with hands on projects and activities.
  • Show more

Special education teacher vs science teacher skills

Common special education teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 11%
  • Autism, 10%
  • Behavior Management, 6%
  • IEPs, 6%
  • Professional Development, 6%
  • Student Learning, 6%
Common science teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 15%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • Student Learning, 6%
  • Science Curriculum, 5%
  • Learning Environment, 4%
  • Public Schools, 4%

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