JOB DESCRIPTION

Teach elementary and secondary school subjects to educationally and physically handicapped students. Includes teachers who specialize and work with audibly and visually handicapped students and those who teach basic academic and life processes skills to the mentally retarded.

SKILLS AND APTITUDES NEEDED

Ability to communicate clearly Acceptance of differences in others, patience Ability to motivate students, understanding special needs Creativity to apply different types of teaching methods to reach students who are having difficulty

Special education teachers work with children and youths who have a variety of disabilities. The various types of disabilities delineated in Federal legislation concerning special education programs include specific learning disabilities, speech or language impairments, mental retardation, emotional disturbance, multiple disabilities, hearing impairments, orthopedic impairments, other health impairments, visual impairments, autism, deaf-blindness, and traumatic brain injury. Students are classified under one of the categories, and special education teachers are prepared to work with specific groups.

Depending on the disability, teaching methods can include individualized instruction, problem-solving assignments, and group or individual work. Teachers are legally required to help develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each student. The IEP sets personalized goals for each student and is tailored to a student’s individual learning style and ability. The program includes a transition plan outlining specific steps to prepare the student for additional schooling or a job. Teachers work closely with parents to inform them of their child’s progress and suggest techniques to promote learning at home.