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Special educator vs math teacher

The differences between special educators and math teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a special educator has an average salary of $53,565, which is higher than the $51,088 average annual salary of a math teacher.

The top three skills for a special educator include autism, student learning and math. The most important skills for a math teacher are math, classroom management, and student learning.

Special educator vs math teacher overview

Special EducatorMath Teacher
Yearly salary$53,565$51,088
Hourly rate$25.75$24.56
Growth rate4%5%
Number of jobs62,54559,347
Job satisfaction-4.5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age4343
Years of experience-2

What does a special educator do?

A special education teacher's role is to facilitate learning for students with disabilities. The responsibilities of a special education teacher typically revolve around identifying the needs of students, devising lesson plans and strategies to meet their needs, developing test structure to assess their learning, and assisting them in areas of difficulties. It is also essential to coordinate with families and guardians, reporting to them should there be any problems. Furthermore, as a special education teacher, it is necessary to monitor the students' progress and behavior, maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment for them.

What does a math teacher do?

A math teacher is responsible for instilling analytical and statistical knowledge to the learners. The duties of a math teacher include the development of a student's problem-solving skills, practical application of formulas and logical reasoning, utilization of visual materials and other learning equipment for better comprehension, and evaluation of the students' learning progress by conducting series of tests and activities. A math teacher should also support and encourage students and build their self-confidence by providing regular coachings, managing their learning challenges, and keeping engaging lesson plans.

Special educator vs math teacher salary

Special educators and math teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Special EducatorMath Teacher
Average salary$53,565$51,088
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $75,000Between $37,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CityOceanside, NYBaltimore, MD
Highest paying stateNew YorkMaryland
Best paying companyCapistrano UnifiedCalifornia State University
Best paying industryGovernmentEducation

Differences between special educator and math teacher education

There are a few differences between a special educator and a math teacher in terms of educational background:

Special EducatorMath Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorSpecial EducationMathematics
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityHarvard University

Special educator vs math teacher demographics

Here are the differences between special educators' and math teachers' demographics:

Special EducatorMath Teacher
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 21.3% Female, 78.7%Male, 47.0% Female, 53.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 3.6% White, 71.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 8.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.8% Asian, 3.6% White, 72.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage8%12%

Differences between special educator and math teacher duties and responsibilities

Special educator example responsibilities.

  • Lead the data team with interpreting results, including NWEA and other benchmark assessments.
  • Develop individual lesson plans at Pre-K level.
  • Work collaboratively with teachers in mathematics and writing.
  • Counsele and provide special education to senior kindergarten students.
  • Implement an individualize curriculum for a kindergarten student with a moderate cognitive impairment.
  • Develop interactive computer lessons to enhance science and math curriculum and student engagement utilizing technology.
  • Show more

Math teacher example responsibilities.

  • Lead professional development for colleagues on integrating graphing calculators into the curriculum.
  • Utilize cooperative learning techniques and provide individualized instruction in the field of pre-algebra and middle grade mathematics.
  • Provide students with high quality teaching of math subject utilizing state standards, course overviews accelerate mathematics curriculum program.
  • Plan and teach lessons for 6th grade mathematics and 7th grade Pre-Algebra.
  • Motivate students with various academic abilities to learn pre-calculus, geometry, and general earth science.
  • Design inquiry base unit on human anatomy and physiology.
  • Show more

Special educator vs math teacher skills

Common special educator skills
  • Autism, 9%
  • Student Learning, 8%
  • Math, 7%
  • Public Schools, 7%
  • Learning Environment, 6%
  • Mathematics, 6%
Common math teacher skills
  • Math, 32%
  • Classroom Management, 12%
  • Student Learning, 5%
  • Instructional Materials, 4%
  • Public Schools, 4%
  • Algebra II, 3%

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