| Special education professionals work to promote | | | | to special education |
| students' overall behavioral, social and academic | | | | Taking the Next Step toward a New Career |
| growth. Special education professionals aide students | | | | Once you have decided to enter the field of special |
| in developing socially appropriate behavior within their | | | | education, you will need to follow several steps. Due to |
| family, school and community. Teachers of special | | | | the specialization of the field, special education |
| education help students become more confident in | | | | teachers in all 50 states must receive licensure before |
| their social interactions. Special education professionals | | | | employment. Licensures are approved by each state's |
| administer activities that build students' life skills. | | | | board of education, and the requirements for |
| What Does the Job Entail? | | | | certification differ between states. Nevertheless, the |
| Are you interested in helping others? Can you handle | | | | growing shortage of special education teachers has |
| and care for people who learn differently and have | | | | led institutions of higher education to offer more special |
| other behavioral problems? Do you want to make a | | | | education degree and certification programs. In fact, |
| difference in a young child's life? If you answered "yes" | | | | special education degrees are offered at the |
| to any of these questions, then you might consider a | | | | bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels throughout the |
| career in special education. Below is a breakdown of | | | | nation. Not to mention, the booming field of distance |
| the short and long-term responsibilities of a special | | | | learning has made certification more accessible from |
| education teacher. | | | | any location in the United States. |
| First and foremost, special education teachers focus | | | | In many cases, hopeful special education professionals |
| on the development and academic needs of children | | | | do not meet the requirements of special education |
| with disabilities. They encourage learning in disabled | | | | licensure due to their prior completion of degree |
| students by implementing educational modules and | | | | programs outside of the field of education. Therefore, |
| behavioral techniques. Special education teachers | | | | several states have begun to offer alternate forms of |
| work alone or with general education teachers to | | | | certification. The hope of these programs is to attract |
| individualize lessons, develop problem-solving | | | | new special education professionals and fill the growing |
| techniques and integrate children into group projects | | | | need for teachers. The chance to positively impact the |
| with other students. Furthermore, special education | | | | lives of special needs children is one of the driving |
| teachers are responsible for ensuring that the needs | | | | motivations and benefits of entering this field. |
| of disabled children are met during assessment | | | | After several years, some special education teachers |
| periods. | | | | look for new opportunities within their field. In the most |
| Did you know that special education teachers work | | | | common situations, special education professionals |
| with a team of professionals, qualified staff and family | | | | transfer to administrative or supervisory positions. |
| in order to fulfill their job requirements? It is true. In fact, | | | | Others, after receiving a higher degree, become |
| special education teachers work in conjunction with | | | | college professors and educate new students in the |
| these entities to create an Individualized Education | | | | field of special education. Experienced teachers of |
| Program (IEP) for each student. An IEP is designed in | | | | special needs students have also moved up to serve |
| collaboration with a child's parents, school principal, | | | | as mentors to incoming special education teachers. |
| social worker, speech pathologist and general | | | | As for the future of special education and |
| education teacher to ensure effective implementation. | | | | employment, there are many changes on the horizon. |
| An IEP targets a student's needs and growth areas | | | | Most significantly, the job market in special education, |
| for maximum response. The specialized goals set by | | | | according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), is |
| the IEP are woven throughout all aspects of a child's | | | | projected to "increase faster than the average of all |
| daily activities. Teachers of special education must | | | | occupations by 2014." Due to the new emphasis on |
| monitor a child's setbacks and progress and report | | | | education and training in legislature, special education |
| back to parents and administrators. Planned goals and | | | | professionals will become even more valued. |
| tasks are outlined for family members to refer to while | | | | Can I Make a Living as a Special Education Teacher? |
| a student is at home as well. | | | | As mentioned previously, the special education job |
| The types of disabilities a special education teacher | | | | market is on the rise. In 2004, the BLS reported |
| might encounter are difficult to predict. For one, the | | | | 441,000 employed special education teachers in the |
| qualifications for special education services vary | | | | nation. While only 6 percent worked within private |
| greatly from mild disabilities to extreme cases of | | | | schools, over 90 percent were employed by public |
| mental retardation or autism. Types of disabilities | | | | schools or districts. In rare cases, special education |
| include, but are not limited to, the following: speech | | | | professionals were involved in home or hospital care. |
| impairments, hearing disabilities, emotional disturbances, | | | | Several factors determine a special education |
| orthopedic impairments, brain trauma cases, blindness, | | | | teacher's financial compensation. Such factors include |
| deafness and learning disabilities. | | | | experience, educational background, area of specialty |
| Do You Exhibit These Qualities? | | | | and geographical location. In May 2004, the BLS |
| Now that you have an idea of the job's demands, let's | | | | reported the following breakdown of median annual |
| see if you have the right qualities to be a special | | | | earnings of special education teachers: |
| education teacher. | | | | Preschool, kindergarten and elementary school level: - |
| Recognize the symptoms and needs of special needs | | | | $43,570 |
| students | | | | Middle school level: - $44,160 |
| Patience | | | | Secondary school level: - $45,700 |
| Ability to work with one or more parties to achieve | | | | Special education teachers receive increases in salary |
| short-term and long-term goals | | | | through additional involvement in their schools' |
| Strong communication skills | | | | educational activities and through coaching school |
| Ability to motivate others | | | | athletic teams. In some districts, being a mentor to a |
| Ability to multi-task | | | | new special education teacher carries additional |
| Knowledge of the most recent education modules, | | | | monetary benefits. However, the most common way |
| medical research and behavioral practices | | | | to increase earnings is through the completion of a |
| Creativity | | | | higher degree, which can also make a teacher's |
| Knowledge of the latest medical technology relevant | | | | instruction more credible and valuable. |