Special Education Teachers, Secondary School

Help high school students with cognitive, emotional, or physical impairments succeed in school and in life. This includes educators who focus on working with kids who are visually impaired or blind.

Career Snapshot

ABOUT SECONDARY SCHOOL SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER CAREERS

Special education teachers provide a healthy learning environment for students with special needs by being patient, inventive, and having great communication skills. Students with learning, mental, emotional, and physical challenges are served by special education teachers. They teach reading, writing, and math, as well as communication and basic life skills to kids with significant disabilities. A special education teacher begins by creating an Individualized Education Program for each student, which is then implemented and tracked. Communicating with parents, counsellors, other teachers, and administrators helps them meet the needs of their kids. Teachers may prepare flashcards for a student with hearing loss, facilitate a small group to encourage collaboration for a project, or provide a quiet nook for students with autism. Many teachers employ assistive technology to communicate with their students. The majority of special education teachers work in public schools, with students ranging from kindergarten to high school. They usually work throughout the school day, according to the customary 10-month school year schedule. The labour can be extremely rewarding, but it can also be emotionally and physically taxing. A bachelor's degree in special education or in an education-related subject, or a content area, such as math or science with a minor in special education, is required for special education instructors. To teach in public schools, you must have a teaching licence. States may provide a general special education licence or disability-specific credentials, such as autism or behavioural disorders.

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Characteristics

Job challenge and pressure to meet deadlines
Level of responsibilities
Critical decision making
Leadership
Dealing and handling conflicts
Physical demands
Exposure to job hazards
Exposure to extreme environmental conditions
Comfort of the work setting
Work closely with team members, clients etc.
Communication with others
Competition for this position

Activities

Coaching and Developing Others Know More
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Know More
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Know More
Getting Information Know More
Interacting With Computers Know More
Making Decisions and Solving Problems Know More
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work Know More
Training and Teaching Others Know More

Areas of Study

Administration and Management Know More
Clerical Know More
Computers and Electronics Know More
Customer and Personal Service Know More
Education and Training Know More
English Language Know More
Mathematics Know More
Psychology Know More

Degrees

Colleges

Top Skills

Active Listening Know More
Instructing Know More
Learning Strategies Know More
Reading Comprehension Know More
Service Orientation Know More
Social Perceptiveness Know More
Speaking Know More
Writing Know More