Overview

Special Education Teachers oversee, inform, and support the education and training of students with physical, emotional, cognitive, and learning disabilities. They design and deliver lessons geared towards the individual needs and capabilities of students under their supervision. They adapt classroom lessons and projects and teach various subjects, such as reading, writing, and math, to students with mild and moderate disabilities.

They also teach basic skills, such as literacy and communication techniques, to students who need it. Overall, they assure that all students receive high quality and inspiring learning experience that helps them achieve to their full potential. They also provide a warm, nurturing, safe, and loving environment where self-esteem is enhanced, independence encouraged, and individuality is respected.

Day-to-Day Work

• Assesses students’ skills to determine their needs and to develop instructional plans
• Adapts lessons and projects to meet the needs of students
• Develops Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for each student
• Plans, organizes, and assigns activities that are specific to each student’s abilities
• Teaches, guides and mentors students as a class, in small groups, and one-on-one
• Implements IEPs, assess students’ performance, and track their progress
• Discusses student’s progress with parents, teachers, counselors, administrators, and outside professionals as necessary and appropriate
• Supervises and mentors teacher assistants who work with students with disabilities
• Prepares and helps students transition from grade to grade and if they relocate or leave to attend another school
• Monitors and supervises effective classroom and school-wide structures that promote student-driven learning, positive student behavior, and safety
• Maintains an orderly, academically-focused classroom environment and effective management of instructional materials and records;
• Assists in on-going curriculum reviews, including offering feedback on school and program effectiveness.
• Builds and maintains positive and engaging relationships with parents/families to strengthen the educational program for their children.
• Utilizes authentic formative and summative assessments to gauge learning, guide instruction, and provide timely feedback to students;

Personality