Becoming a Special Education Teacher: Pros and Cons
As a special education teacher, you'll have the opportunity to positively impact the lives of children with learning, emotional and physical disabilities. Read on to learn more pros and cons about this career to determine whether it's the right choice for you.
| Pros of a Special Education Teacher Career |
|---|
| Opportunity to help others and influence children* |
| May have 2-month summer vacation* |
| Can work in many settings and grade levels (elementary, middle or high schools)* |
| Can become board certified* |
| Cons of a Special Education Teacher Career |
|---|
| Job is physically and emotionally demanding* |
| Additional hours outside of school hours are typical* |
| Employment depends on government budgets* |
| May need to obtain a master's degree* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Career Information
Job Description and Duties
Special education teachers work in public and private schools, childcare centers and treatment facilities to teach children with emotional, physical, mental or learning disabilities. In this career, you may develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in order to define a plan for each student, and you may also monitor student progress and report back to parents, other teachers, administrators or counselors. To help children with special needs advance to new schools or grades, you also teach social and life skills.
You can expect to work during normal school hours, but additional hours are often required in order to meet with parents and school personnel and to grade papers and plan lessons. Depending on the school district or your work setting, you may work year round with reoccurring breaks or for 10 months and have the summer off, although some teachers do teach summer school during this time.
Salary Info and Job Growth
Salaries for special education teachers vary slightly based on the grade level being taught. May 2014 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showed that special education teachers working in preschool, kindergarten and elementary schools earned average salaries of about $57,000. The same report showed average salaries for special education teachers in middle and secondary schools were about $59,000-$61,000.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated that the growth rate for jobs in special education should reach an average of 6% from 2012-2022, but figures vary depending on grade level. Those working in preschool may experience fairly rapid growth at 16%. However, special education teachers for all other grade levels may only see a languid growth rate of 5% or 6% (with more opportunities being available to teach younger grade levels). You may find the most opportunities at inner-city or rural schools. Nevertheless, all hiring for special education teachers is subject to government budgets.
What Are the Requirements?
Education and Licensure
To become a special education teacher, you need to earn a bachelor's degree, preferably in special education; you could also major in elementary education or a specific subject and minor in special education. In a special education bachelor's program, you may learn about instructional strategies, assessments, various disorders and child development. Student teaching or another form of fieldwork is usually included in these programs.
To work in a public school you must have a license from your state. Often referred to as teaching certification, a license is earned after you complete a 4-year degree program, a teacher preparation program and some form of supervised teaching. Your state may offer a universal special education license or one that is valid for a specific expertise. Continuing education is often necessary to keep the license valid, and some states may require you to complete a master's degree program within a certain time frame.
What Employers Are Looking for
As a special education teacher, you must be patient since you will be working with students of varying capabilities. Also, employers look for candidates who can convey lessons in unique and interesting ways. Read the following April 2012 job postings to get an idea of what employers look for in special education teachers.
- A nonprofit organization in Texas sought a high school special education teacher with a bachelor's degree and state teaching license to create lesson plans and provide individualized instruction for 6-8 students.
- An Oklahoma City alternative high school hired for a special education teacher with at least 3 years of experience teaching at the high school level. Qualified candidates can develop IEPs, work with a variety of software and online programs and communicate with parents and personnel about student progress.
- In Mississippi, a licensed special education teacher with a bachelor's degree in special education and expertise in autism was needed at a private special education school to provide therapeutic, age-appropriate, individualized education.
How Can I Stand Out?
You can set yourself apart from the competition by acquiring board certification in special education through the American Academy of Special Education Professionals. By becoming certified, you can demonstrate your skills and understanding of the field. Certification requires you to have a master's degree in a field relevant to special needs students. You must also complete 5 courses for Certificates of Advanced Professional Development in which you must pass a multiple-choice exam for each. Recertification is required each year by paying a fee.
Alternative Career Paths
Audiologist
If working in a school setting doesn't appeal to you, but you still want to help people with special needs, consider becoming an audiologist. These professionals identify and treat issues related to hearing and balance. To become an audiologist, a license and a doctoral degree in audiology are required. As of May 2011, audiologists earned average salaries of $71,000, reported the BLS.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapy may also be a field of interest for you. As an occupational therapist, you work with sick, injured or disabled patients in order to improve their quality of life. The BLS also predicted a high employment growth rate of 33% from 2010-2020, and as of May 2011, these professionals brought in average annual incomes of $75,000. A master's degree in occupational therapy and a license is necessary to become an occupational therapist.
