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Special educator vs toddler teacher

The differences between special educators and toddler 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 $30,703 average annual salary of a toddler teacher.

The top three skills for a special educator include autism, student learning and math. The most important skills for a toddler teacher are child care, CPR, and customer service.

Special educator vs toddler teacher overview

Special EducatorToddler Teacher
Yearly salary$53,565$30,703
Hourly rate$25.75$14.76
Growth rate4%15%
Number of jobs62,54567,810
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age4340
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 toddler teacher do?

A toddler teacher is responsible for teaching young learners by administering physical care and monitoring their social and mental development. Toddler teachers prepare fun and engaging activities for the children and evaluate their behaviors and assess how they interact with the environment. They create lesson plans that adhere to the learners' appropriate curriculum, such as teaching them how to speak and count. A toddler teacher must comply with the safety guidelines to keep and promote a safe and healthy environment for everyone.

Special educator vs toddler teacher salary

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

Special EducatorToddler Teacher
Average salary$53,565$30,703
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $75,000Between $23,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityOceanside, NYSanta Clara, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkMassachusetts
Best paying companyCapistrano UnifiedColumbia University in the City of New York
Best paying industryGovernmentFinance

Differences between special educator and toddler teacher education

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

Special EducatorToddler Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorSpecial EducationEarly Childhood Education
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityFairfield University

Special educator vs toddler teacher demographics

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

Special EducatorToddler Teacher
Average age4340
Gender ratioMale, 21.3% Female, 78.7%Male, 8.6% Female, 91.4%
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, 8.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 6.1% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage8%5%

Differences between special educator and toddler 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

Toddler teacher example responsibilities.

  • Attend required training (CPR, OSHA, etc).
  • Perform first aid and CPR if need.
  • Take care of kids change diapers give out snacks take kids outside take trash out get kids ready before getting pick up
  • Prepare formulas, feeding, bathing, playing games, monitoring and maintaining safe and very careful watch over the kids.
  • Maintain a neat, well organize, and attractive prepare environment consistent with Montessori pedagogy.
  • Develop and deliver lessons following the Montessori method to encourage the development in reading and sensory skills.
  • Show more

Special educator vs toddler teacher skills

Common special educator skills
  • Autism, 9%
  • Student Learning, 8%
  • Math, 7%
  • Public Schools, 7%
  • Learning Environment, 6%
  • Mathematics, 6%
Common toddler teacher skills
  • Child Care, 29%
  • CPR, 20%
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Child Development, 13%
  • Open Communication, 5%
  • Classroom Environment, 4%

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