Special Education Teacher Responsibilities (Special Education Teachers)

A teacher who works with students who have disabilities and supports their academic success is known as a special education teacher. Students with a wide range of disabilities, including learning, physical, emotional, and behavioral disabilities, receive specialized instruction as part of Special Education Teacher Responsibilities. They work with students one-on-one or in small groups, adapting their teaching strategies to fit each student’s needs.

Individualized education plans (IEPs), which set out clear goals and objectives for each student, are created and carried out by special education teachers. They also monitor students’ development, work with other teachers and staff, and speak with parents and guardians about the needs and development of their charges.

Roles and Responsibilities of Special Education

In addition to managing classroom behavior and dealing with challenging behaviors, special education teachers may also be expected to participate in professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in special education.

Helping students with disabilities realize their full potential and succeed in school and beyond is the ultimate goal of a special education teacher.

Special Education Teacher Responsibilities

Providing specialized instruction to students with disabilities, such as learning, physical, emotional, or behavioral impairments, falls under the purview of special education teachers. These obligations could involve:

Creating and carrying out individual education plans (IEPs) for each student that contain detailed goals and objectives
To ensure students’ academic and personal growth, teachers must evaluate students’ progress and modify their teaching strategies as necessary.
Collaborating with other educators, the administration, and outside organizations to support student’s academic and social-emotional needs.
Creating a welcoming and inclusive learning environment that encourages participation and success among students.
Controlling student behavior and intervening when necessary with challenging behavior.
Interacting with parents and guardians to discuss the student’s needs and progress.
Taking advantage of opportunities for professional development to stay current on special education best practices.
Observing special education laws and regulations, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

A special education teacher’s main objective is to support disabled students in realizing their full potential and succeeding in school and beyond.

What Are the 3 Most Important Roles of a Special Education Teacher?

There are many essential roles that special education teachers play in the lives of their students. Here are three of the most crucial functions that special education teachers play:

Advocate: Special education teachers advocate for their students, ensuring they receive the necessary accommodations and support to succeed in school. It may involve working with school staff, parents, and outside agencies to protect students’ rights and meet their needs.
Educator: Special education teachers are responsible for providing specialized instruction to students with disabilities, using various teaching methods and accommodations to meet the unique needs of each student. They also assess students’ progress and adapt their instruction as needed to ensure that students are making progress toward their goals.
Support system: Special education teachers provide emotional and social support to their students, helping them to feel included and valued in the classroom. They work with students to build self-esteem, confidence, and social skills and provide a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.

Overall, special education teachers play a vital role in the lives of their students, providing the necessary support and accommodations to help them succeed in school and beyond.

Special Education Teacher Requirements

States in the US have different requirements for becoming special education teachers. However, most states have a few standard requirements that teachers must follow.

These may consist of the following:

In most states, special education teachers typically require a bachelor’s degree in education or a related field. Related fields include psychology and sociology. A master’s degree in education or a closely related field may also be necessary for some states.
To teach in their state in the United States, special education teachers are typically required to hold a teaching license or certification. It typically entails finishing a teacher preparation program and passing a teacher certification exam approved by the state.
Special education-related coursework: As part of their teacher preparation program, special education teachers typically need to complete special education-related coursework. Courses on issues like instructional strategies for students with disabilities, evaluations and assessments in special education, and laws and regulations about special education may fall under this category.
A practicum or student teaching experience is a component of most teacher preparation programs. Aspiring educators work with a mentor teacher in a classroom to gain practical experience instructing students during this time.

Generally, a bachelor’s degree in education or a closely related field, a teaching license or certification, special education coursework, and actual teaching experience is needed to become a special education teacher in the United States.

What Skills Are Needed to Be a Special Education Teacher?

Special education teachers need a wide range of skills to be successful in their roles. Some of the critical skills that are important for special education teachers to have include:

Patience: Special education teachers must be patient and understanding with their students, as they may face challenges and obstacles that other students do not. They must be able to provide support and encouragement to students as they work towards their goals.
Adaptability: Special education teachers must be able to adapt their teaching methods and strategies to meet the unique needs of each student. It may involve using different teaching techniques, accommodations, or technologies to ensure all students can learn and succeed.
Communication skills: Special education teachers must communicate effectively with a wide range of people, including students, parents, school staff, and outside agencies. It may involve communicating through verbal, written, and nonverbal means.
Interpersonal skills: Special education teachers must build positive relationships with their students and other teachers and school staff. They should be able to work collaboratively with others to support their student’s academic and social-emotional needs.
Organizational skills: Special education teachers must organize their classrooms and materials effectively and keep track of student’s progress and needs. They should be able to manage their time effectively and juggle multiple tasks and responsibilities.
Knowledge of special education laws and regulations: Special education teachers must be familiar with laws and regulations related to special education, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). They should be able to ensure that students with disabilities receive the necessary accommodations and support to succeed in school.

Special education teachers need many skills to succeed in their roles, including patience, adaptability, communication, interpersonal, organizational, and knowledge of special education laws and regulations.

What Does a Special Education Teacher Do?

A special education teacher’s specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on the particular needs of their students, the grade level they teach, and the school or district they work in.

However, some typical day-to-day tasks and responsibilities of special education teachers may include the following:

Planning and delivering specialized instruction: Special education teachers plan lessons and activities tailored to their students’ needs. They may use various teaching methods, accommodations, and technologies to support students’ learning and ensure academic success.
Assessing students’ progress: Special education teachers regularly evaluate and adapt their instruction as needed to ensure students progress towards their goals. They may use various assessment tools, such as tests, observations, and portfolio assessments, to track students’ progress.
Collaborating with other teachers and school staff: Special education teachers often work closely with other teachers and school staff to support their student’s academic and social-emotional needs. They may collaborate with general education teachers to co-teach in inclusive classrooms or work with school counselors and social workers to provide social-emotional support to students.
Managing classroom behavior: Special education teachers may address challenging behaviors as needed. They may use various strategies, such as positive behavior support or functional behavior assessments, to address behavioral issues and create a positive learning environment for all students.
Communicating with parents and guardians: Special education teachers communicate with parents and guardians about their student’s progress and needs. They may hold regular conferences with parents to discuss students’ progress and provide updates on their progress toward their goals.

Special Education Teacher Responsibilities of special education teachers play a vital role in the lives of their students, providing the necessary support and accommodations to help them succeed in school and beyond.

About Us:

Jennifer Hanson is a dedicated and seasoned writer specializing in the field of special education. With a passion for advocating for the rights and needs of children with diverse learning abilities, Jennifer uses her pen to educate, inspire, and empower both educators and parents alike.