How to become A Special Education Teacher

As humans, learning and teaching are two activities we frequently engage in, if not constantly. However, as a Special Education Teacher, you go that extra mile to ensure that children and young people needing either additional support or advanced learning challenges grow to their full potential. The marvel of such a job - the more you teach, the more you learn.

• Instructional Coordinator
• School Counsellor

What do Special Education Teachers do?

A Special Education Teacher would typically need to:

• Teach and mentor individual students or small groups within the regular classroom or outside it; prepare lessons and resources, adapting conventional teaching methods to support the special needs of their students through engaging activities such as drawing and theatre
• Stimulate the learning process of their students through audiovisual materials and computers; use specialist skills, such as teaching Braille to those visually impaired or sign language and lip reading to those with auditory impairments
• Work with colleagues to assess the skills and special educational needs of students with long or short-term learning difficulties; develop and implement individualised programmes for each student
• Evaluate students’ performance, track their progress, and continually update learning plans for students; reflect periodically on the progress of students and discuss it with parents, teachers, counsellors, and administrators; inform them of potential issues
• Collaborate with the classroom teacher to plan activities that support the curriculum and as suited to each special needs student; collaborate with the school leadership team and its board to ensure that relevant legislative requirements are met
• Liaise with other professionals, including physiotherapists, educational psychologists, social workers, and speech & language therapists, to develop holistic plans which ensure the overall wellbeing of their students; collaborate with parents and guardians of their students
• Organise activities such as community visits, school trips, or sporting events to extend the learning experience beyond the classroom
• Assist in caring for the needs of severely disabled students
• Monitor children’s behavioural patterns; assess the need for and arrange suitable interventions if needed; manage crises and resolve conflicts that may occur in the classroom
• Prepare and help students transition between grades and from school to the larger world outside
• Attend statutory annual reviews or other related meetings to review overall education and healthcare plans; attend in-service training
• Carry out administrative duties, such as creating, maintaining, and updating students’ records

Most Special Education Teachers work in classrooms or their own units at schools. If required for the lesson or a change of environment, they may take their students outdoors, given good weather. A few work in residential facilities, hospitals, or the students’ homes, even working with infants and toddlers in their homes, teaching their parents how to foster skills in their children. Some may visit childcare centres that offer residential and day programs for special learners or community service centres that supplement school learning. Teachers may be required to commute to one or multiple locations, depending on the nature of their employment and whether they freelance.

Special Education Teachers typically work during school hours, teaching, grading papers, preparing lessons, updating students’ records, or completing other administrative tasks. They may set up appointments before or after classes to meet with parents, students, and other teachers or specialists.

In general, they follow the academic calendar for a 10-month school year with a 2-month summer break. They have similar working days and holidays as students except for staff development days or any summer programs in which they decide to work. They would also have winter and spring breaks along with the rest of the school.

If the school follows a year-round schedule, they may work cycles of nine weeks alternating with three-week breaks. 

Special Education Teachers work in regular schools, either within the mainstream classrooms or in specialist departments, depending on the school policy of inclusion. Specialist units at school support students in managing learning challenges due to autism, or physical or sensory impairments, or behavioural issues.

They may also work as part of Learning Support Teams located at a base and travel to a group of schools as needed.

Special Education Teachers may take on supply work or work as private tutors. They may also choose overseas assignments, paid or voluntary, or go on exchange programmes.

Special Education Teachers are typically employed by:

• Private or Public Schools
• Further Education Colleges with Special Education Units
• Hospital Schools
• Learning Support Teams
• Childcare Service Centres
• Juvenile Detention Centres

Professional associations and organisations are a crucial resource for Special Education Teachers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

For instance, members of the International Association of Special Education (IASE) are on the lookout for effective strategies to organise leadership training in different aspects of special education in their home countries. Its volunteer service projects assist agencies, schools, and organisations in providing special education in developing countries by sharing professional expertise, teaching/learning tools, and educational materials for teachers and students.

• Stressful, emotionally demanding, and physically draining work
• Inadequate recognition and support for the job; lack of adequate financial or technical assistance
• Teaching time reduced by meetings, paperwork, and other non-instructional responsibilities
• The need to tailor instruction to each student in the class, given the diversity of individual special needs
• Managing the dynamics of inclusive classrooms; encouraging kindness and respect among students
• Isolation from mainstream teachers due to misperceptions that the work of Special Education Teachers is easier or less critical
• Dealing gently yet firmly with behavioural issues such as moodiness, restlessness, short attention span, and inability to understand in children with disabilities
• Increasing enrollment and decreasing budgets resulting in fewer teachers, more significant workload, and shortages of essential teaching supplies and equipment
• Disinterest of parents leading to minimal involvement or interaction with teachers and also lowering the motivation of children; overprotectiveness leading to unrealistic expectations from teachers and affecting the confidence of children, making it harder for them to learn

To begin with, be aware that proven experience in the field is a plus on your resume. That said, if you do not have experience in the role of a Special Education Teacher or a related role or mainstream teaching, you may still be hired by schools that take on newly qualified candidates.

Ideally, you should build up experience in working with a range of children’s disabilities. Classroom experience strengthens your application for teacher training while showing you what the work is all about and whether you are suited to it.

Volunteer with local schools or daycares, especially those which have special-needs children. Visit diverse mainstream or specialist schools and find observational roles during lessons. Talk to teachers to gain deeper insights. Try to work as a general teaching assistant or special needs teaching assistant helping children or young people with disabilities or learning difficulties.

Teaching experience in a classroom is also a part of teacher training in many areas and a licensing requirement. Education institutions and your college’s placement centre are good resources for finding internships.

Your university careers service is a good starting point to track relevant local openings in schools. Your own primary or secondary school may be interesting places to start acquiring experience

While specific requirements may vary by location, both public and private schools typically require Special Education Teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree in special education or education. Some schools may accept candidates with a major in a subject area as long as they have a minor in education. Following your bachelor’s, you would likely undertake the requisite period of student teaching and acquire certification, especially to teach in public institutions.

Your up-to-date knowledge of special education methodologies and ability to create and use individualised programmes of learning for each student will give you a competitive edge. With a primary degree, you can opt from among several training programmes, most of which could earn you a postgraduate certificate in education as well. A master’s degree in special education is helpful in the long run, and you may be required to complete it to be certified after you get a job.

You may also enrol in specified teacher training programmes, ranging from one to four years in length, depending on your location. In some places, you may need to follow the different steps that lead you from achieving the status of a qualified teacher to undertaking an initial programme of teacher training.

Typically, all teacher training courses have a special educational needs component. Some may even offer the field as a specialisation or provide in-depth training. Qualified teachers may also take up additional training to teach children with special needs.

Bachelor’s degree programmes in special education cover a range of topics. Aspiring Special Education Teachers learn about diverse disabilities and how to present information suited to each student’s ability to understand. During student-teaching, which is a part of the programme, prospective teachers are mentored to teach students in a classroom setting.

Typically, teachers in public schools must be licensed or certified to teach a specific grade level. Private school teachers may be exempt from licensure. Requirements vary by area, but usually, a bachelor’s degree with the prescribed minimum score is mandatory, along with completing a student-teaching programme, a clear background check, and the passing of an exam on teaching and another in the subject area. Individual government entities conduct licensing.

Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics. Investigating members that practice outside the Code earns the community’s trust and respect, which are the most critical elements in securing a professional’s future.

Career progression is driven by performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications. Employees with consistently high levels of performance may be eligible for promotion every two to three years.

Special Education Teachers with experience may advance to mentorship or roles, helping teachers with less experience foster their skills in the field or even step into the roles of lead teachers. They may become School Counsellors, Curriculum Coordinators, or Principals of Elementary, Middle, or High Schools.

Job competition for Special Education Teachers is moderately low. New positions keep opening up as teachers quit after a few years in the field. Given the nature of the job, patience and approachability will enhance your job prospects.

You are likely to launch your academic career as a mainstream teacher to acquire general teaching experience before diverting into special education teaching. It is possible to take up certificate, diploma, or master’s courses in special educational needs, focusing on topics such as dyslexia or dyscalculia.

If you work with the visually impaired, you must know Braille. Likewise, you must know sign language if you teach hearing-impaired students. You would also need to take training in how to teach students with multi-sensory impairment.

Use resources such as lesson plans, a dictionary defining special education terms, and education technology to keep yourself informed of the latest developments in your field.

You could also pursue an advanced degree in education administration or leadership to supplement your qualifications, knowledge, skills, and experience and advance to management or administrative roles.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is the holistic commitment of Special Education Teachers towards enhancing personal skills and proficiency throughout their active careers through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. There are many CPD courses, seminars, and workshops to help professionals in the field.

CPD allows individuals to upskill continually, regardless of their age, job, or level of knowledge. It prevents practical and academic qualifications from becoming outdated. It enables Special Education Teachers to identify any knowledge gaps and progress to a new specialism.

Who Are Your Students?

As a Special Education Teacher, your students are likely to be those who need extra support with daily learning. The particular need may be due to their physical disabilities or sensory impairments (i.e. hearing or visual). Or they may have speech and language difficulties or learning disorders such as dyslexia. Other conditions such as autism, social, emotional, and mental health needs, any form of anxiety or depression, or any combination of these difficulties may necessitate your services. Some may use a wheelchair or other adaptive devices that you must take into account. You may also have gifted and talented individuals as your students.

Adapting to the Need

You may find that your duties depend largely on your speciality, the setting you work in, who your students are, and what impairments you must help them manage in terms of education. You may need to tailor general academics and subject matter to suit students with mild to moderate disabilities. Or you may need to work with students with severe disabilities, teaching them basic skills.

The age range includes preschool students up to those in high school. You would foster their study skills, such as understanding, learning, and retaining printed matter by highlighting it or using flashcards to promote learning and memorising. As a Special Education Teacher, you would also aim at your students achieving the long-term goals of fending for themselves, finding work, and managing their resources, finance and time, in particular.

Whether you work in exclusive classrooms or resource centres or inclusive classrooms amidst general instruction, whether you work one-on-one or in small groups, you try to make lessons easily understandable and applicable by your students, given their unique needs.

Technology as a Tool

It is to the advantage of Special Education Teachers to feel at ease learning and using new technology, such as computer applications, to record students’ performance and progress, prepare lesson plans, and update individualised education programmes (IEPs). Assistive technology aids, including Braille writers and computer software, can help you communicate with your students.

Aiming for the Job Market

Once you have your special education degree in hand, make sure to network and also obtain any mandatory licensure or certification, practical steps in the process of job hunting. Let your resume highlight your specialisations, relevant advanced coursework, and any board certification. Use your cover letters and interviews to throw light on your classroom experience, how your portfolio reflects your teaching philosophy, and what makes you the best candidate for the position.

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment

Being a freelance Special Education Teacher offers freedom regarding flexible schedules, working hours, and location. They have full ownership of the business and can afford selectivity in terms of the variety of projects and clients presented. While it has unlimited earning potential, it also has less stability and security, with inconsistent work and cash flow. There is more responsibility, effort, and risk involved. There are no paid holidays; sick/maternity/paternity and leaves are almost unaffordable. There is also the added pressure of a self-employment tax and no eligibility for unemployment benefits.

However, a full-time Special Education Teacher can access company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Despite these advantages, they are susceptible to potential boredom and inability to pursue passion projects due to their lack of time or effort. There is a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety and the need to budget extra money for commuting and attire costs.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

Greater than a billion people worldwide, of whom nearly 93 million are children, live with some form of disability or impairment.

The job of a Special Education Teacher may sound as if it needs the patience of a saint. On the contrary, it requires large doses of genuine love for teaching and children, sincere respect for and acceptance of the fact that individuals have varying abilities and impairments, and a gentle tact to defuse any tense situations in the classroom. Add to these an intelligent and trained insight into individual needs and how to fulfil them and you are set to take on the task of creating a safe, stimulating, and supportive learning environment. The combination of these attributes is not that hard to find or develop, and even mainstream teachers, with the proper training, may find fulfilment in the new role of a Special Education Teacher.

Special Education Teachers must make sure that they renew their energy from time to time to sustain the pace their work demands from them. It may often feel like a never-ending race, but you must take breaks to rest and recharge. Set reasonable limits and establish healthy habits for yourself from the start of the academic year so that you can keep up your energy, enthusiasm, and efficiency all year through, thriving as you help your students succeed.