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Special needs teacher vs learning support teacher

The differences between special needs teachers and learning support teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a special needs teacher has an average salary of $47,334, which is higher than the $33,914 average annual salary of a learning support teacher.

The top three skills for a special needs teacher include autism, behavioral issues and mathematics. The most important skills for a learning support teacher are classroom management, math, and mathematics.

Special needs teacher vs learning support teacher overview

Special Needs TeacherLearning Support Teacher
Yearly salary$47,334$33,914
Hourly rate$22.76$16.30
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs74,039120,054
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4343
Years of experience--

What does a special needs teacher do?

A Special Needs Teacher works with children and young people who need support with their learning because they find it difficult. They evaluate students skills to determine their needs, develop teaching plans, and adapt lessons to meet the needs of students.

What does a learning support teacher do?

Learning support teachers focus on offering out-of-school education to pupils who need additional help. Their duties include planning and implementing constructive teaching policies as well as collaborating with parents, other relevant professionals, and personnel. They assist pupils in adapting and overcoming problems that emerge due to learning difficulties. Also, the design and foster suitable skills and social abilities as well as motivate students to develop independence, self-confidence, and to achieve their full potential. Additionally, they develop and deliver lessons as well as record and assess children's progress.

Special needs teacher vs learning support teacher salary

Special needs teachers and learning support teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Special Needs TeacherLearning Support Teacher
Average salary$47,334$33,914
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $65,000Between $23,000 And $49,000
Highest paying CityBerkeley, CASanta Rosa, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companySan Mateo County Office Of EducationColumbia University in the City of New York
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between special needs teacher and learning support teacher education

There are a few differences between a special needs teacher and a learning support teacher in terms of educational background:

Special Needs TeacherLearning Support Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorSpecial EducationSpecial Education
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Special needs teacher vs learning support teacher demographics

Here are the differences between special needs teachers' and learning support teachers' demographics:

Special Needs TeacherLearning Support Teacher
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 20.8% Female, 79.2%Male, 21.2% Female, 78.8%
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, 9.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 3.6% White, 71.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between special needs teacher and learning support teacher duties and responsibilities

Special needs teacher example responsibilities.

  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Work with preschool children with various special needs such as autism, down syndrome, ADHD, cerebral palsy, etc.
  • Tutor elementary school children with learning disabilities, mood disturbances, and ADHD in all school subjects.
  • Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects including English, mathematics, and social studies.
  • Develop individual educational plans (IEP) design to promote educational, physical and social development.
  • Train in CPI and paraprofessional.
  • Show more

Learning support teacher example responsibilities.

  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Assist in the educational and social development of students with autism.
  • Communicate regularly with relate service providers, teachers and parents, and participate in CSE and RTI meetings.
  • Conduct school base and individualize professional development regarding reading and mathematics instruction.
  • Establish a positive rapport with emotionally disturb students and create FBAs ad BIPs to facilitate student behavior and academic growth
  • Work with ages pre-k through 8th grade.
  • Show more

Special needs teacher vs learning support teacher skills

Common special needs teacher skills
  • Autism, 25%
  • Behavioral Issues, 18%
  • Mathematics, 6%
  • Language, 6%
  • Learning Environment, 4%
  • IEPs, 3%
Common learning support teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 22%
  • Math, 12%
  • Mathematics, 9%
  • IEP, 7%
  • General Education Curriculum, 5%
  • Classroom Environment, 4%

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