Elementary Special Education Teacher
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School
25-2052.00
Median wages
$50,190
Teach elementary 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 impaired.
- Instruct special needs students 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.
- Develop individual educational plans (IEPs) designed to promote students' educational, physical, or social development.
- Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, or other professionals to develop individual education plans (IEPs).
- Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, or administrative regulations.
- Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification or positive reinforcement.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- Modify the general kindergarten or elementary education curriculum for special-needs students.
- Confer with parents, guardians, teachers, counselors, or administrators to resolve students' behavioral or academic problems.
- Employ special educational strategies or techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, or memory.
- Monitor teachers or teacher assistants to ensure adherence to special education program requirements.
- Prepare classrooms with a variety of materials or resources for children to explore, manipulate, or use in learning activities or imaginative play.
- Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
- Meet with parents or guardians to discuss their children's progress, advise them on using community resources, or teach skills for dealing with students' impairments.
- Prepare, administer, or grade tests or assignments to evaluate students' progress.
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Establish and communicate clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects to students.
- Encourage students to explore learning opportunities or persevere with challenging tasks to prepare them for later grades.
- Provide assistive devices, supportive technology, or assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
- Teach students personal development skills, such as goal setting, independence, or self-advocacy.
- Coordinate placement of students with special needs into mainstream classes.
- Interpret the results of standardized tests to determine students' strengths and areas of need.
- Collaborate with other teachers or administrators to develop, evaluate, or revise kindergarten or elementary school programs.
- Confer with other staff members to plan or schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.
- Guide or counsel students with adjustment problems, academic problems, or special academic interests.
- Plan or conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
- Organize and display students' work in a manner appropriate for their perceptual skills.
- Prepare objectives, outlines, or other materials for courses of study following curriculum guidelines or school or state requirements.
- Prepare assignments for teacher assistants or volunteers.
- Present information in audio-visual or interactive formats, using computers, televisions, audio-visual aids, or other equipment, materials, or technologies.
- Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment or materials to prevent injuries and damage.
- Administer standardized ability and achievement tests to kindergarten or elementary students with special needs.
- Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, or teacher training workshops to maintain or improve professional competence.
- Organize and supervise games or other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, or social development.
- Control the inventory or distribution of classroom equipment, materials, or supplies.
- Plan or supervise experiential learning activities, such as class projects, field trips, demonstrations, or visits by guest speakers.
- Perform administrative duties, such as assisting in school libraries, hall or cafeteria monitoring, or bus loading or unloading.
- Instruct students in daily living skills required for independent maintenance and self-sufficiency, such as hygiene, safety, or food preparation.
- Visit schools to tutor students with sensory impairments or to consult with teachers regarding students' special needs.
- Interpret or transcribe classroom materials into Braille or sign language.
- Computer based training software — Children's educational software; Scientific Learning Fast ForWord
- Data base user interface and query software — American Sign Language Browser; Individualized Educational Program IEP software
- Device drivers or system software — Screen magnification software; Screen reader software; Synapse outSPOKEN; The vOICe Learning Edition
- Electronic mail software — Email software; Microsoft Outlook
- Graphics or photo imaging software — Drawing software
- Internet browser software — Web browser software
- Office suite software — Microsoft Office
- Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint
- Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel
- Voice recognition software — goQ WordQ; Nuance Dragon NaturallySpeaking; Voice activated software
- Word processing software — Microsoft Word
- Instructing — Teaching others how to do something.
- Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Learning Strategies — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
- Active 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.
- Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.
- Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Persuasion — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
- Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
- Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Negotiation — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
- Systems Analysis — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
