Elementary Special Education Teacher

Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:

• Collaborate with other teaching professionals to develop educational programs.
• Create technology-based learning materials.
• Develop instructional materials.
• Discuss problems or issues with supervisors.
• Maintain student records.
• Modify teaching methods or materials to accommodate student needs.
• Prepare reports detailing student activities or performance.
• Assist students with special educational needs.
• Teach life skills.
• Teach others to use technology or equipment.

Typical Working Conditions

• Using email.
• Working with a group or team.
• The freedom to determine tasks, priorities, and goals.
• Close physical proximity with other people.
• Frequent decision-making.
• Meeting strict deadlines.
• Being in situations in which conflicts arise.

Tools & Technology used by Elementary Special Education Teachers

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Most Important Skills for Elementary Special Education Teachers

• Being Aware of Others—Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Understanding How People Learn—Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
• Listening—Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Reading—Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Speaking—Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Writing—Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Learning New Things—Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Teaching—Teaching others how to do something.
• Helping Others—Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Monitoring Performance—Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Most Important Knowledge Areas for Elementary Special Education Teachers

• Education and Training—Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• English Language—Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Psychology—Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
• Customer and Personal Service—Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Clerical—Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
• Computers and Electronics—Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Mathematics—Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Therapy and Counseling—Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
• Sociology and Anthropology—Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
• Administration and Management—Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Interests
Different careers may be a good fit for your personality or interests. This career is:

• Social—Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Artistic—Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Low indicates 25% of workers earn less and 75% earn more. Median indicates 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more. High indicates 75% of workers earn less and 25% earn more.

Demand
This career is high growth compared to other careers. There will be a need for about 3,797 new Kindergarten and Elementary School Special Education Teachers to meet market demand between 2018-2028. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

This career requires at least a Bachelors degree, and does require a license.

View the local post-secondary education options from our partners: Central Lakes College & MSTATE.

Helpful High School Courses
Examples of helpful classes that help you prepare for this career:

• Child Development
• Computer Applications
• Cultural/Ethnic Studies
• English Composition
• Geography
• Health Education
• History
• Political Science
• Public Speaking
• Safety and First Aid
• Sociology
• World Languages

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise