Becoming a Special Education Teacher

Written by Margaret Nelson

Teaching Special Education

Special education teachers are educators who work with students with disabilities. They make a difference in the lives of their students by providing access to quality education, encouraging them during difficult times, and celebrating their success. Like any teaching role, being a special education teacher can be a difficult yet rewarding experience. They have the opportunity to work with students of all abilities, and it can be an incredible experience to watch their students master new skills. Taking the time to learn more about teaching special education will ensure that teachers and their students have a positive and inclusive classroom experience.

Special Education in the United States

Regardless of the students' ages and disabilities, special education teachers are responsible for ensuring the students can exercise their right to an education. In the United States, two primary laws protect the rights of students with disabilities, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The ADA prohibits discrimination in various public settings, including education, based on disability status. IDEA ensures that students with disabilities can access public education.

To protect their rights, students in the special education program receive either an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 plan. While both protect the students' rights, IEPs provide more flexibility to adapt curriculum requirements, and 504 plans provide accommodations to make the standard curriculum more accessible. Because of these differences, IEPs are usually for students with profound disabilities that impact their ability to complete age-appropriate assignments.

In recent years, there has been a movement to expand access to schools and early intervention programs for people with disabilities, especially since there has been an increased awareness of autism, mental illnesses, and sensory processing disorders. As experts have learned more about these disabilities, educational best practices have changed. More than ever, schools need educators who specialize in teaching students with disabilities, implementing best practices, and creating inclusive environments.

Becoming a Special Education Teacher

The primary goal of special education is to assist students in achieving their individualized goals so they can transition to the next phase of their lives. For a preschool student, this could mean working on classroom behavior to succeed in kindergarten. For high school students, this could mean helping them learn to advocate for themselves so that they can seek accommodations in college.

The role of a special education teacher may vary depending on the students' ages and needs. Special education teacher responsibilities typically include:

• Developing and writing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 plans
• Helping students learn the academic material that's appropriate for their age and needs
• Meeting their students' social and emotional needs
• Adapting the standard curriculum to meet the needs of the students
• Teaching students life skills
• Proctoring exams for students who need testing accommodations
• Teaching social skills
• Communicating with parents and other school officials

Depending on the nature of the student's disability, the special education teacher might have to present the lesson in a different, more inclusive teaching format. For example, a student with dyslexia who is learning to read might need a multisensory approach to learning instead of worksheets. These teachers have to be flexible and have a variety of tools and strategies available because a strategy that works for one student might not work for another one, even if they have the same diagnosis. Above all, special education teachers need to view their students as unique individuals with strengths and weaknesses.

Regardless of the student's needs, it is the special education teacher's responsibility to ensure that the student can access their accommodations and an appropriate education for their abilities. This might require educating other school professionals about how to meet the student's needs, having regular meetings to ensure that the student's IEP or 504 plan is up-to-date, and ensuring that everyone on the team agrees. Special education teachers also need to stay up-to-date on disability laws so that they don't accidentally deny access to students. Failure to follow the law can constitute a violation of both civil rights laws and disability rights laws.

Meeting the needs of diverse students can be tricky for teachers, especially since they have to be mindful of federal laws. Learning as much as possible beforehand about disability laws, the required education, and teacher certifications can help special education teachers familiarize themselves with the procedures.

Degree Requirements for Special Education Teachers

To become a special education teacher, students need to complete the required education. Each state has its requirements for people who want to teach special education, so prospective teachers should research their state's requirements. However, some special education degree requirements apply to most people. Candidates typically need to have at least a bachelor's degree, complete a certification exam (like the Praxis), and apply for their teaching certificate. By obtaining a special education certification, teachers can fulfill the prerequisites for becoming a special education teacher and learn how to best help their students.

Degree and Certification Requirements

Potential teachers should earn at least a bachelor's degree in special education. Depending on the position, a master's degree or a doctorate might also be needed, especially for public school or school psychologist positions. Some states and institutions have specific requirements about the major, so prospective students should research all their options for special education degree programs before enrolling in one.

Second, they might need to become certified to teach certain student populations, such as students with autism, ADHD, or dyslexia. Such certifications provide additional specialized training. Even if additional certification isn't required, it can give candidates a competitive edge and make it easier to find a job.

Teacher Certification Exam Requirements

Potential teachers may be required to pass a teacher certification exam, such as the Special Education Praxis test. Passing such exams fulfills the state's certification requirements. In addition, they prove to employers that candidates have sufficient knowledge about special education and implementing best practices in the classroom. Each state has requirements for certification exams. Some might require passing multiple exams, some might require passing a single exam, and some might require students to finish all exams by a certain deadline. Because these rules can vary widely from state to state, it's important to research them.

Candidates should note that observation hours may be required based on the state's rules, the desired position, and the institution's regulations. Students might obtain them during their undergraduate careers or after graduation. Because the rules and requirements can vary, prospective teachers must do their research.

Teaching Certificate

Fourth, candidates need to apply for their teaching certificate. Similar to the certification exams, each state has its own requirements for how to become certified. Some might require teachers to apply for a temporary license before issuing a permanent one, and teachers often have to fulfill certain prerequisites before renewing their licenses. Just like with the certification exams, teachers need to research the teacher license requirements in their state to make sure they can get theirs without any issues.

Professional Development

Lastly, they will likely need to complete professional development or continuing education. The state might require a certain amount of professional development, and institutions might require additional professional development on top of what the state requires. Teachers might have to complete a certain number of hours, learn about certain topics (such as a specific disability or updated best classroom practices), complete it through approved institutions, or complete it by a certain deadline. To fully understand the requirements, teachers should research the ones for their state and institution.

Salary Expectations

Depending on the special education teacher job description, the salary can vary. According to O*NET, the median secondary-level special education teacher salary is $66,620 per year as of 2023. For middle school teachers, the median is $66,600, and for elementary school teachers, the median is $64,910. However, this can vary depending on experience, the location of the job, and education level. For example, those with more responsibilities (such as those who work with students with profound disabilities in a self-contained classroom or work as school psychologists) often get paid more because their students require specialized care. In addition, because of these increased responsibilities, they might need more professional development and renew their certifications more frequently. Because of this, districts are sometimes willing to pay more to retain these teachers.

Because of the emphasis on early intervention, preschool special education teachers have a higher demand compared to teachers of other ages. Still, the need for special education teachers is expected to grow in all areas in the coming years. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, nearly half (37 percent) of public K-12 schools have teacher openings available, and the most frequently requested teachers are those who teach special education. One of the strategies that the Department of Education is advocating for is increased teacher salaries, particularly for teachers who have specialized knowledge, such as special education. 

If a special education teacher is willing to pursue additional certifications, such as the Praxis exam, then they might be able to earn a higher salary. These certifications show that the candidate has specialized knowledge, making it easier for them to find jobs. For example, a school district might be more likely to hire a special education teacher who's certified to work with students with autism if the school has a large population of students with autism. If the candidate wishes to work for a well-funded school, they should consider taking additional professional development courses or obtaining specialized certifications.

Working with Students with Disabilities

Special education teachers can work in a variety of settings. For example, a teacher might work as an aide in a general education setting, in a self-contained classroom with students with profound disabilities, or evaluate students. Each job plays an important role in helping students to perform their best at school.

Treating Students as Individuals

To meet these special education teacher responsibilities, prospective teachers must view each student as unique and avoid generalizing their students. One popular misconception is that students with disabilities need to stay in self-contained classrooms, away from their neurotypical peers. In reality, many can remain in general education classrooms with the right support and succeed alongside their neurotypical peers. It's also important that they don't assume what their students need.

For example, there might be two students with a sensory processing disorder in a special education class. One might be overly sensitive to stimuli like smells, food, and the texture of clothes. The other might be under-sensitive, not notice strong odors, and need lots of physical activity. If the teacher treated them both the same, neither student would get their needs met. The overly sensitive student would get overwhelmed, and the under-sensitive student would not receive enough sensory input. As a result, both students would walk away feeling frustrated.

Other Skills Needed for Teaching Students with Disabilities

They also need other strengths, such as patience, strong self-control, flexibility, and empathy. These students sometimes struggle academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally due to their disabilities, and these struggles can cause self-esteem issues. They need supportive teachers willing to adapt the plan to serve their students.

It can be frustrating for both teacher and student if the student's progress has plateaued, but the teacher needs to remain patient and optimistic. Sometimes, students might have emotional or behavioral meltdowns due to their disabilities, which could look like panic attacks, flashbacks, crying due to anxiety, screaming, or throwing objects. No matter how intense these moments become, special education teachers must stay calm to de-escalate the situation. Strengths like patience, self-control, flexibility, and empathy can help special education teachers understand their students and meet their needs.

In addition, special education Teachers need to know how to work well with others and build relationships. These teachers often work with kids from different backgrounds, which can vary in how well they communicate. Many times, they also work with the school psychologist, general education teachers, and the student's caregivers to determine a plan for how to meet the child's needs. Due to the nature of this job, special education teachers must know how to connect with others and work together. Building strong relationships with the students helps to give them a more positive academic experience, and building strong relationships with the child's team keeps everyone on the same page, which allows them to do what's best for the student.

The Praxis Exam

In many states, the Praxis exam is an important step to complete to become a special education teacher. To learn how to become a special education teacher, candidates must learn more about this exam.

Praxis exams help candidates certify their knowledge in a specific academic subject as well as areas like pedagogy, school counseling, and special education. For special education, the tests cover subjects like mild to moderate disabilities, severe to profound disabilities, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, behavior disorders, and teaching preschool students with disabilities.

The structure of the exams varies. The test times range from one to four hours, and they can include multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and verbal responses. Some tests, like the Special Education exams, require test takers to demonstrate their ability to support student development and learning needs, as well as create supportive learning environments, manage classrooms, and show proper conduct. In general, these tests assess situational awareness instead of assessing general knowledge (such as with a subject exam).

To successfully pass the Praxis exams, candidates should take a Praxis online practice test and measure their baseline knowledge. Once they have determined their strengths and weaknesses, they can figure out what areas they need to focus on. By doing so, they can create a personalized study program. There are also a variety of study guides available for test-takers to fill in their knowledge gaps and reinforce what they already know. Once they're ready to do so, they can register for the test.

Special Education Teacher Degree Programs

Working in special education requires obtaining a body of knowledge through a degree program and a certification exam, such as ones administered through Praxis. It can be difficult to find the right special education program, and candidates should do their research and find the best special education degree programs for them.