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.
Special educator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real special educator resumes:
- 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.
- Create and deliver a curriculum to empower youths in areas of physical education, languages and mathematics
- Self-Employ, independent special educator providing one-on-one instruction and ABA to children with delays and disabilities.
- Develop appropriate educational math and reading goals and objectives in the individualized education program for students with special needs.
- Plan and instruct professional development for peers on RTI regulations, various educational computer software, and PowerPoint presentations.
- Administer am tutoring courses to support ELA department through science content.
- Prepare students for the HSPA.
- Proctore numerous state require tests such as HSPA's and others.
- Create PowerPoint unit review guides.
- Attend CSE meetings/participate in annual review evaluations.
Special educator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Special Educators are proficient in Autism, Student Learning, and Math. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Patience, and Resourcefulness.
We break down the percentage of Special Educators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Autism, 9%
Created a self-contained classroom environment to provide one-on-one instruction with a fourth grade student with autism and an intellectual disability.
- Student Learning, 8%
Collaborate with educational team to provide optimal student learning and a positive school environment.
- Math, 7%
Developed appropriate educational math and reading goals and objectives in the individualized education program for students with special needs.
- Public Schools, 7%
Participated in a two-year alternative certification route in Baltimore City Public Schools.
- Learning Environment, 6%
Created a learning environment and curriculum which incorporated these techniques into daily routines and lessons.
- Mathematics, 6%
Created and delivered a curriculum to empower youths in areas of physical education, languages and mathematics
Most special educators use their skills in "autism," "student learning," and "math" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential special educator responsibilities here:
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a special educator to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "special education teachers need to explain concepts in terms that students with learning disabilities can understand." Special educators often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "maintained an open communication network with other para's in the school. "
Patience. Many special educator duties rely on patience. "special education teachers must be able to stay calm instructing students with disabilities, who may lack basic skills, present behavioral or other challenges, or require repeated efforts to understand material.," so a special educator will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways special educator responsibilities rely on patience: "demonstrate patience and understanding while providing individualized instruction in a safe, inclusive classroom learning environment for students with significant disabilities. "
Resourcefulness. This is an important skill for special educators to perform their duties. For an example of how special educator responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "special education teachers must develop different ways to present information that meet their students’ needs." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a special educator: "showed resourcefulness and teaching effectiveness in meeting the needs of students with limited english language proficiency as well as learning disabilities. ".
The three companies that hire the most special educators are:
- CARE292 special educators jobs
- Sunny Days7 special educators jobs
- Gwinnett County Board of Education7 special educators jobs
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Compare different special educators
Special educator vs. Infant and toddler teacher
An infant and toddler teacher is an individual who aids in the cognitive and social development of preschool children by teaching them the most basic skills that focus on play-centered learning and creativity. Infant and toddler teachers must help children develop positive self-images and encourage them to explore their interests and develop social skills. They must plan and carry out a curriculum that teaches children basic skills such as color, shape, and letter recognition. Infant and toddler teachers must also meet the children's parents to discuss concerns.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a special educator are more likely to require skills like "autism," "student learning," "math," and "public schools." On the other hand, a job as an infant and toddler teacher requires skills like "cpr," "child care," "child development," and "classroom environment." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Infant and toddler teachers really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $37,267. Comparatively, special educators tend to make the most money in the government industry with an average salary of $62,975.On average, infant and toddler teachers reach lower levels of education than special educators. Infant and toddler teachers are 15.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Special educator vs. Long term substitute teacher
A long term substitute teacher is responsible for covering the duties of a teacher who is away for a long time. Long term substitute teachers proceed with the lesson plan outlines and the regular teacher's curriculum depending on their expertise. They monitor and assess the students' behavior, create an engaging learning environment, evaluate the students' learning progress by conducting a series of tests, create reports of the students' performance, and help students struggling with the subject.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, special educator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "autism," "mathematics," "behavior management," and "data collection." Meanwhile, a long term substitute teacher has duties that require skills in areas such as "long-term substitute," "iep," "learning process," and "classroom environment." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, long term substitute teachers earn a lower salary than special educators. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, long term substitute teachers earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $44,729. Whereas special educators have higher pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $62,975.In general, long term substitute teachers achieve similar levels of education than special educators. They're 2.5% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for special educators in the next 3-5 years?
Patricia Rogan Ph.D.
Professor, Special Education/Urban Teacher Education, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
Special educator vs. Certified teacher
A certified teacher is responsible for designing lesson plans and activities for the students by following the curriculum and the students' learning needs. Certified teachers manage the coordination of the students within the classroom setting, observe their behaviors, and identify their areas of improvement by determining every student's strengths and weaknesses. They also evaluate the students' performance and progress by conducting assessments and facilitating engaging activities that would not only help the students develop their mental skills but their social connections as well.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a special educator is likely to be skilled in "autism," "behavior management," "data collection," and "para," while a typical certified teacher is skilled in "kids," "cpr," "childhood," and "chemistry."
Certified teachers earn the highest salary when working in the government industry, where they receive an average salary of $51,100. Comparatively, special educators have the highest earning potential in the government industry, with an average salary of $62,975.When it comes to education, certified teachers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to special educators. In fact, they're 1.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Special educator vs. Toddler teacher
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.
Types of special educator
Updated January 8, 2025
