Here’s a brief list of what Special Education Teachers do:

• Individualized Education Plans (IEPs): Developing and implementing IEPs for students with disabilities, outlining educational goals, accommodations, and specialized instruction.

• Differentiated Instruction: Adapting teaching strategies, materials, and assessments to meet the diverse learning needs and abilities of students with disabilities.

• Behavior Management: Implementing behavior intervention strategies and support plans to address behavioral challenges and promote positive behavior in students.

• Collaboration: Collaborating with parents, general education teachers, therapists, and support staff to coordinate services and ensure consistent support for students with disabilities.

• Assessment and Progress Monitoring: Conducting ongoing assessments, tracking student progress, and adjusting instructional strategies based on assessment data to meet learning objectives.

• Resource and Material Development: Creating or selecting specialized instructional materials, resources, and assistive technologies to support student learning and accessibility.

• Social and Emotional Support: Providing social skills instruction, emotional support, and counseling to help students develop interpersonal skills and self-regulation.

Here’s how YOU can become one:

1. Educational Background:

• Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: Start by earning a bachelor’s degree in special education. Alternatively, you can pursue a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as elementary education or secondary education with a specialization or concentration in special education.

• Relevant Coursework: Take courses in special education methods, behavior management, assessment and evaluation, differentiated instruction, and disability studies. Gain knowledge in educational psychology and child development.

2. Complete Teacher Preparation Program:

• Obtain Teacher Certification: Complete a teacher preparation program accredited by your state or country’s education department. This program typically includes a student teaching or practicum component where you gain supervised classroom experience working with students with disabilities.

• Alternative Certification Paths: Some regions offer alternative pathways to teacher certification for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a non-education field. These programs include additional coursework and teaching experience.

3. Obtain Licensure or Certification:

• State Licensure: Obtain special education teacher licensure or certification required by your state or country. Requirements typically include passing exams (such as Praxis exams in the United States), completing a background check, and fulfilling continuing education requirements.

• Professional Standards: Familiarize yourself with the professional standards and ethical guidelines for special education teachers established by national or state-level education associations.

4. Develop Key Skills:

• Individualized Instruction: Acquire skills in developing and implementing individualized education programs (IEPs) tailored to students’ specific learning needs and disabilities.

• Behavior Management: Learn strategies for managing classroom behavior and promoting positive behavior supports for students with disabilities.

• Collaboration: Build collaborative relationships with parents, general education teachers, specialists (e.g., speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists), and support staff to coordinate services and support student success.

• Adaptability: Develop flexibility and adaptability to adjust instructional strategies and accommodations based on students’ learning styles and needs.

5. Gain Practical Experience:

• Student Teaching: Gain supervised student teaching experience in special education settings to apply teaching strategies, implement IEPs, and develop classroom management skills under the guidance of experienced special education teachers.

• Internships or Assistant Roles: Seek internships, assistant positions, or paraprofessional roles in special education classrooms or programs to gain additional experience working with students with disabilities.

6. Networking and Professional Development:

• Join Special Education Associations: Become a member of special education teacher associations or organizations to access professional development opportunities, resources, and networking with other professionals in the field.

• Attend Workshops and Conferences: Participate in conferences, workshops, and seminars focused on special education to stay updated on best practices, research-based interventions, and legal issues affecting special education.

  This is a very brief and general plan. To know your specific academic path for this career please talk to an advisor at the college or program you plan on attending!