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Special educator vs special education resource teacher

The differences between special educators and special education resource 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 $49,296 average annual salary of a special education resource teacher.

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

Special educator vs special education resource teacher overview

Special EducatorSpecial Education Resource Teacher
Yearly salary$53,565$49,296
Hourly rate$25.75$23.70
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs62,54582,491
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4343
Years of experience--

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 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 educator vs special education resource teacher salary

Special educators and special education resource teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Special EducatorSpecial Education Resource Teacher
Average salary$53,565$49,296
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $75,000Between $36,000 And $65,000
Highest paying CityOceanside, NYWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNew YorkAlaska
Best paying companyCapistrano UnifiedIrving Isd
Best paying industryGovernmentEducation

Differences between special educator and special education resource teacher education

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

Special EducatorSpecial Education Resource Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorSpecial EducationSpecial Education
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Special educator vs special education resource teacher demographics

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

Special EducatorSpecial Education Resource Teacher
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 21.3% Female, 78.7%Male, 19.6% Female, 80.4%
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, 9.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.8% Asian, 3.6% White, 70.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between special educator and special education resource 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

Special education resource teacher example responsibilities.

  • 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.
  • Show more

Special educator vs special education resource teacher skills

Common special educator skills
  • Autism, 9%
  • Student Learning, 8%
  • Math, 7%
  • Public Schools, 7%
  • Learning Environment, 6%
  • Mathematics, 6%
Common special education resource teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 14%
  • IEP, 10%
  • Professional Development, 8%
  • Instructional Strategies, 6%
  • Math, 6%
  • Autism, 5%

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