Becoming a Special Education Teacher: A Comprehensive Guide

Special education offers a fulfilling career path for individuals passionate about helping others, building strong relationships, and making a meaningful impact every day. This article provides a detailed overview of what special education teachers do and the steps required to become one.

What is a Special Education (SPED) Teacher?

Special education caters to students with disabilities, special needs, or learning differences that necessitate tailored teaching methodologies. SPED teachers play a critical role in supporting students with diverse learning needs, including those with disabilities. Their expertise and dedication contribute significantly to creating inclusive and supportive learning environments where all students can thrive. Special education programs became a nationwide standard after Congress passed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act in 1975, which is now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Diverse Learning Environments

Special education services are delivered in various settings, depending on the school district and the specific needs of the students. These settings include:

Inclusive Classrooms: Integrating special needs students into regular classroom activities. This can range from partial inclusion, where students participate in regular classes for part of the day, to full inclusion, where there is no distinction between special education and general education classes. SPED inclusion teachers help students with special needs build social skills and boost self-esteem. They often co-teach or collaborate with general education teachers to create inclusive classroom environments that accommodate the needs of all students.
Resource Rooms: Separate special needs classrooms within general public or private schools, used for a portion of the day. These rooms provide focused attention and support tailored to individual learning styles.
Self-Contained Classrooms: Designed for students with significant learning or physical disabilities, offering specialized instruction and support. Special educators adapt and develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students, as well as monitoring progress and providing support.

Key Responsibilities of SPED Teachers

Special education teachers are responsible for instructing a broad range of students (infants to adults) with a broad range of disabilities and work at the elementary, middle, or secondary school level at public or private schools. SPED teachers modify the general education curriculum to ensure each student’s individual needs are met. They help students develop the problem-solving, motor, and social skills they’ll need to complete their education and live independently. Their duties extend beyond traditional teaching, encompassing:

Developing and Implementing IEPs: Creating and managing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students, outlining specific needs and services. IEPs involve working with parents and other instructors to know what a special education student needs to learn, how to teach them, and the best process forward to meet their educational needs.
Adapting Curriculum: Modifying lesson plans and curriculum to suit the unique learning styles and needs of each student. The job of a special ed teacher in a general education classroom is to adjust the general lessons to fit the needs of each child.
Assessing Student Progress: Regularly evaluating student performance to ensure they are meeting their goals and adjusting teaching strategies as needed. Assessment skills are important for ensuring students are at the level they’re supposed to be at.
Collaboration: Working closely with general education teachers, parents, and support staff to create a cohesive and supportive learning environment. Special ed instructors often work with general education teachers in identifying and assessing students who may have disabilities or special needs.
Classroom Management: Managing classroom behavior and creating a positive and inclusive atmosphere. Special education certification programs will provide you with the tools, resources, and strategies you need to lead instruction and manage classroom behavior.

Steps to Becoming a SPED Teacher

The path to becoming a special education teacher involves several key steps, including education, certification, and practical experience.

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1. Earn a Bachelor's Degree

The most common route is to obtain a four-year bachelor’s degree in special education. Enroll in a bachelor’s degree program in special education or a related field such as elementary education or psychology. These courses often focus on general education, special education, and field experience. A degree in a related field like psychology, child development, or education is beneficial. Some states may have GPA requirements to be qualified to teach.

2. Gain Practical Experience

Classroom experience is invaluable. Spending time in the classroom with students will allow you to hone your skills and prepare for your classroom. That is why most states require teacher-supervised practicum experiences, sometimes called student teaching. Completing a student teaching internship in a special education classroom is essential. The experiences you gain in the classroom allow you to take the theory you are learning in your own coursework and put it into action. Unless you already have experience in the classroom and experience working with children with disabilities, consider getting experience to see if this is the right fit for you. Try volunteering at a local school. However, if that’s not an option you can learn from other’s experiences. Special education teachers can also share their perspectives with you on the unique aspects of being a special education teacher.

3. Obtain Certification and Licensure

Just like any content area certification process, special education teachers are certified via the state in which they teach. Most schools will require you to have obtained a special education certification or licensure (the nomenclature of this credential varies by state) to work as a special education teacher. Teacher certification is an official process that communicates that you have met the state standards for teaching requirements. To become a certified special education teacher, individuals must fulfill specific requirements established by the state in which you will be teaching.

State Requirements: Each state has specific requirements for special education teacher certification. These requirements often include completing an accredited teacher preparation program, passing state-mandated exams, and undergoing background checks.
Testing: Each state has its own testing requirements. Within Missouri, they use the Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA), while other states like Kansas use the Praxis.
Additional Requirements: Each state and each certification program may have additional requirements for special education teacher certification. Some examples include CPR and first aid training, background checks, and fingerprinting.

4. Consider Advanced Education

Although not always necessary, getting a master’s or doctoral degree in special education will not only improve educational skills but also open up career paths for other opportunities. A master’s degree can lead to a higher SPED teacher salary, leadership roles, and specialized positions. Teachers can also work toward advanced certifications that can boost their career options, such as a National Board Certification or a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification.

5. Seek Job Opportunities

Search and apply for special education teaching positions in public or private schools or as a telehealth special education teacher. The career opportunities available to SPED teachers will depend on their level of education and amount of experience. While the most common jobs in special education are K-12 teaching jobs, special education roles aren’t limited to the classroom.

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Key Skills for Special Education Teachers

Teachers of any kind require a special skill set that allows them to understand what students need to succeed and how to help them in the best way possible. Beyond formal education and certification, certain soft skills are essential for success in this role:

Adaptation: Special education classes are different each day.
Patience: Special education students require more support and encouragement than those in general classes, making patience a key skill for teachers.
Communication: Communication is very important in the classroom. Teachers need to set expectations, provide feedback, teach material, and motivate students. Special education teachers must have exceptional communication skills to convey information and instructions clearly, actively listen to students’ concerns and needs, and work with other educators, support staff, and parents to create tailored learning plans.
Empathy: Being able to relate to each individual student and their struggles is important and helps create a more welcoming atmosphere.
Creativity: Being an effective teacher involves frequent problem-solving.
Organization: Having a clean, organized space for learning limits distractions and allows students to focus on the lessons.

Salary and Job Outlook

The average special education teacher salary can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, and education level. The national mean annual wage for kindergarten and elementary school special education teachers is $68,580. As educators gain experience and continue developing professionally, earning potential can increase significantly. In addition to a competitive salary, special education teachers also benefit from job security, as these roles will always be in demand, and demand continues to grow as more and more children receive a diagnosis. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 90% of special education teachers make an annual mean wage of at least $45,730.

Resources for Aspiring SPED Teachers

Several resources are available to support individuals pursuing a career in special education:

University Programs: CityU offers Special Education Endorsements and a master’s in special education. CityU lets learners complete courses at their own pace and offers fully online, onsite, or hybrid formats.
Professional Organizations: Joining professional organizations like the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) can provide access to valuable resources, networking opportunities, and professional development.
Mentorship Programs: Connect with other more tenured SPED teachers in your school or district. Even if they don’t have a formalized process, veteran teachers are often willing to give you tips or allow you to shadow them. Reach out to other new teachers in your school. After you have established your professional practice, consider investing in novice teachers. If you want to be certified in special education, then join The Educator Academy’s teacher residency program!

The Importance of Special Education

Special education teachers play an indispensable role in ensuring that all students receive a quality education. Certified special education teachers are a key component of meeting the needs of students with disabilities. Preparing more special education teachers for certification is essential for providing an equitable education. Public schools have the responsibility to provide an equitable education to all students in the district. This means providing the services, tools, and resources that are needed to help the child succeed within the education context. By providing tailored support and instruction, they empower students with disabilities to reach their full potential and succeed academically and socially.

Continuing Professional Development

Earning your special education teaching certification is just the beginning! Once you have your teacher certification there are many opportunities to grow in your teaching career. Learning and development is important in many industries, but it is especially important in education. In essence, as the world evolves, new science and technology emerge, and the needs of children adapt there are always new things to learn! If you choose a certification pathway that doesn’t have development included beyond your certification process, check what options are offered at your school. Some districts and schools have instructional coaches or mentorship programs for new and novice teachers. Thus, they can provide you with specialized resources and training for your context. Research shows that the first few years are essential for teacher development. So, if you don’t find your stride in the first year, don’t fret. Finding someone you connect with is a great resource.

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