Special Education Teacher

Ludwig von Beethoven was deaf. Helen Keller was blind. Hans Christian Anderson had dyslexia. And none other than Albert Einstein had Asperger’s syndrome. Along with their disabilities, these historical figures have at least one thing in common: They had great Teachers.

When you’re a Special Education Teacher, you’re one of them. Employed by preschools, elementary schools, middle schools and high schools, Special Education Teachers teach students who have mental, emotional or physical disabilities, including everything from speech impediments, hearing impairments and physical handicaps to autism, emotional disturbance and Down syndrome.

Because they require special needs and attention, students with disabilities are assigned to your classroom, where they typically will benefit from smaller class sizes, modified curriculums and more one-on-one instruction.

Like all Teachers, Special Education Teachers create lesson plans, assign homework and grade tests. However, instead of traditional teaching methods, you use techniques that cater to your students’ special needs. While general-education Teachers teach standardized curriculums, for instance, you teach individualized ones. In fact, where you differ most from general-education Teachers is in the development and execution of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each of your students. Tailor-made for an individual student, an IEP sets educational goals and milestones based on the student’s unique needs and abilities.

Because the IEP is a group effort, you’re part of a team that often includes parents, Therapists and Social Workers. As such, you collaborate on teaching not only academic knowledge, but also life skills. More than anything, therefore, your goal is to help your students become as independent as possible.