I adapt general education lessons and teach various subjects, such as reading, writing, and math, to students with mild and moderate disabilities. I also teach basic skills, such as literacy and communication techniques, to students with severe disabilities. I do a lot of assessing students’ skills to determine what their needs might be and how to give them the best education.
CAREER
High School Special Education Teachers
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$62,120
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+4.2% (slower than the average)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What High School Special Education Teachers Do
Teach academic, social, and life skills to secondary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.
Other Job Titles High School Special Education Teachers May Have
High School Special Education Teacher, Special Education Resource Teacher, Special Education Teacher, Teacher
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
I work with individual special education students age 13 and up planning their post secondary goals. I also work with the student's case managers and help them write the student's transition plan.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of handicapping conditions.
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
- Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
- Maintain accurate and complete student records, and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
Education
Level of Education Attained by High School Special Education Teachers
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Bachelor's degree (65%)
Bachelor's degree
Post-baccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Elementary Special...
Graduate
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special...
Suggested Path
Bachelor
No degree
Graduate
Bachelors
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
Keep pushing forward and always strive to do more and be more. Don't settle for mediocracy; strive for excellence and be a leader. Develop strong organizational skills that will enable you to balance a lot of duties at once.
https://texasoncourse.shareyourroad.com/my-road#communication
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
High School Students
You don't have to know what you are doing right away. That's okay. Take the things you know you like and brainstorm ways you can transform those into a career.
I would suggest volunteering with children or enroll in a class at their school that is geared towards teaching or service.
Go to as many fob fairs possible. Make sure you sell yourself and your abilities. And look into subbing and use that time to network.
Tentative Special Education Teacher ,
College Students
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
