Are you looking for a job that allows you to teach and support elementary school students with various learning, emotional, or physical disabilities? Do you enjoy working with individualized and adaptive curriculum, materials, and methods to meet each student’s unique needs and goals? If so, you may want to consider becoming a Special Education Teacher in an elementary school.
A Special Education Teacher is a person who has a bachelor’s degree (note that some states require a master’s degree) and a state-issued teaching certificate in special education. Special education teachers work with students who have disabilities that affect their academic, behavioral, social, or emotional development. These teachers create and implement individualized education programs (IEPs) for each student, in collaboration with parents, school staff, and other professionals. They also provide instruction, assessment, intervention, and support for their students, using a variety of strategies and resources.
Special education teachers play a compassionate role in the educational process by providing quality and personalized education for students with disabilities. They also help create a positive and supportive environment for students to learn and grow. By working in an elementary school, special education teachers have the opportunity to interact with students from diverse backgrounds and needs, and to collaborate with various stakeholders in the school community.
What Does a Special Education Teacher Do?
The typical duties of a Special Education Teacher in an elementary school may include, but are not limited to:
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- Conducting assessments of students’ abilities, needs, and goals, using formal and informal tests, observations, and interviews.
- Developing and implementing IEPs for students, based on the results of the assessments and the state and district standards.
- Providing instruction in academic subjects, such as math, reading, and writing, as well as social skills, communication, and life skills, using individualized and adaptive curriculum, materials, and methods.
- Collecting and analyzing data on student progress, using software and technology, such as Excel, Google Sheets, or GraphPad.
- Evaluating and modifying the IEPs, as needed, based on the data and feedback.
- Collaborating and communicating with parents, school staff, and other professionals, such as speech therapists, occupational therapists, and psychologists, to coordinate and integrate services for students.
- Providing counseling and guidance for students, individually or in groups, to address emotional, behavioral, or social issues.
- Providing accommodations and modifications for students, such as extra time on tests, visual aids, or assistive technology.
- Ensuring compliance with all applicable special education laws and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels, which include but are not limited to, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
- Participating in professional development and networking activities, such as workshops, conferences, and webinars.
What Education and Skills Do You Need?
Although requirements vary from state to state, to become a Special Education Teacher in an elementary school, you generally need:
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- A bachelor’s degree in special education, or a bachelor’s degree in another field with a special education endorsement, from an accredited institution.
- A state-issued teaching certificate in special education, which requires completing a teacher preparation program, a supervised student teaching experience, and a state examination.
- A background check and fingerprint clearance, depending on your state or district requirements.
- Experience in teaching, tutoring, or volunteering with students with disabilities, preferably in an elementary school setting.
- Knowledge of special education principles and practices, such as assessment, intervention, curriculum, and instruction.
- Knowledge of special education software and technology, such as Excel, Google Sheets, GraphPad, or Q-interactive.
- Knowledge of special education laws and regulations, such as IDEA, FERPA, and NASP ethical code, and their implications for elementary school education.
- Skills in communication and collaboration, with the ability to work with diverse groups of people and handle various situations.
- Skills in patience and compassion, with the ability to empathize and support students with disabilities.
- Skills in creativity and flexibility, with the ability to adapt and modify teaching strategies and resources to meet students’ needs and goals.
Some schools may also prefer or require Special Education Teachers to have:
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- A master’s degree or higher in special education, or a related field, from an accredited institution.
- A state or nationally recognized certification or credential that relates to a specific area of special education.
What Are Some National Organizations Related to Special Education Teachers?
If you are interested in working as a Special Education Teacher in an elementary school, or if you are already working in this field and want to learn more and network with other professionals, you may want to join or follow some of the national organizations related to this role. Here are some examples:
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- [Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)]: A professional organization that advocates and supports educators and students with exceptionalities. CEC provides membership, education, events, publications, and awards for its members and affiliates.
- [National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET)]: A professional organization that represents and supports special education teachers across the country. NASET provides membership, education, resources, and recognition for its members and partners.
- [International Association of Special Education (IASE)]: A global organization that promotes and supports special education around the world. IASE provides membership, education, events, publications, and awards for its members and partners.
Conclusion
A Special Education Teacher is a compassionate and essential member of the elementary school community who teaches and supports students with disabilities. Working as a Special Education Teacher in an elementary school can be a compassionate and fulfilling career for anyone who enjoys teaching and supporting students with various learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. However, it also requires hard work, dedication, and skills to succeed in this role.
If you are interested in becoming a Special Education Teacher in an elementary school, you should research the requirements, opportunities, and challenges of this job and decide if it is the right fit for you.
