Special Education Teachers, Elementary School
SOC code 25-2056 · O*NET-SOC 25-2056.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Education and library
What do special education teachers, elementary school do?
Teach academic, social, and life skills to elementary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Instruct students with disabilities in academic subjects, using a variety of techniques, such as phonetics, multisensory learning, or repetition to reinforce learning and meet students' varying needs.
- Develop or implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of disabilities.
- Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification or positive reinforcement.
- Modify the general elementary education curriculum for students with disabilities.
- Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, or administrative regulations.
- Prepare classrooms with a variety of materials or resources for children to explore, manipulate, or use in learning activities or imaginative play.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- Provide assistive devices, supportive technology, or assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 51% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree51%
- Master's Degree38%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)10%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree0%
Common questions
Can you become a special education teachers, elementary school without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.3/5
- Speaking4.3/5
- Reading Comprehension4.1/5
- Learning Strategies4.1/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Writing3.8/5
- Monitoring3.6/5
Knowledge areas
- Education and Training4.8/5
- English Language4.6/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- Computers and Electronics4.0/5
- Mathematics3.8/5
- Administration and Management3.6/5
- Psychology3.5/5
- Public Safety and Security3.5/5
Transferable strengths: Instructing, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation.