How to Become a Special Education Teacher: Education, Skills, and Certification.
What Is a Special Education Teacher?
A special education teacher is an educator who works with students who have a variety of learning, emotional, mental, or physical disabilities. These teachers adapt general education lessons to meet each student’s individual needs, often following Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) designed in collaboration with parents, school staff, and specialists.
They may teach in:
- Inclusive classrooms (students with and without disabilities together)
- Resource rooms (small group sessions)
- Self-contained classrooms (only students with disabilities)
- Specialized schools
Their role is not only academic but also deeply supportive — helping students gain confidence, independence, and life skills. Apply a job
What Does a Become a Special Education Teacher Teacher Do?
The day-to-day duties vary by grade level, but typically include:
- Assessing student abilities and needs through tests, observations, and records.
- Creating IEPs tailored to each student’s learning goals.
- Modifying lessons and materials to suit different learning styles and abilities.
- Collaborating with general education teachers, therapists, and parents.
- Monitoring progress and adjusting teaching strategies as needed.
- Providing behavioral support and fostering social skills.
- Using assistive technology to help students access learning.
Think of them as educators + advocates + problem-solvers, all rolled into one.
Education & Best Degrees
How Do I Become a Special Education Teacher?
The pathway typically involves:
- Earning a bachelor’s degree in special education or a related field.
- Completing a teacher preparation programme approved by your state.
- Gaining classroom experience through student teaching or internships.
- Passing State Licensure Exams (e.g., Praxis) and obtaining certification.
- Maintaining certification through ongoing professional development.
Some states also allow alternative certification programmes if you already have a degree in another field.
Best Degrees for Special Education Teachers
While a bachelor’s in Become a Special Education Teacher is the most direct route, other related degrees can also qualify you if paired with the right certification:
- B.A./B.S. in Special Education – Direct focus on disabilities, instructional strategies, and law.
- B.A. in Elementary or Secondary Education – Often requires additional special ed coursework.
- B.S. in Psychology – Great for understanding cognitive and behavioral development.
- Master’s in Special Education – Offers higher pay potential and leadership roles.
What Skills Does a Special Education Teacher Need?
Become a Special Education Teacher teaching isn’t just about academic knowledge—it’s about people skills, patience, and creativity. Skills can be grouped by school level.
Elementary School Special Education Teacher Skills
- Patience: Young learners may progress at different speeds.
- Creative lesson planning: Use games, songs, and visuals to keep students engaged.
- Foundational literacy and numeracy teaching: Building early reading and math skills.
- Behavior management: Helping children develop positive habits early on.
- Parent communication: Keeping families updated on progress and challenges.
High School Special Education Teacher Skills
- Subject expertise: Ability to adapt more complex subjects like algebra or biology.
- Career readiness coaching: Preparing students for jobs, college, or vocational programs.
- Life skills instruction: Budgeting, cooking, and time management.
- Advocacy training: Teaching students to request accommodations and understand their rights.
- Emotional resilience: High school students may face social, mental health, and transition challenges.
The Difficulties and Benefits of Teaching Special Education
Being a special education teacher is not without its hurdles.
Challenges often include:
- High emotional demands: Supporting students with unique needs can be mentally and emotionally taxing.
- Admnistrative workload: Writing and updating IEPs, tracking progress, and attending meetings can take significant time.
- Limited resources: Some schools lack funding for specialised equipment, assistive technology, or additional staff.
- Behavioral challenges: Managing disruptive or unpredictable behaviours requires patience and training.
But with the challenges come immense rewards:
- Transforming lives: Helping a child learn to read or gain confidence can be life-changing for both teacher and student.
- Strong bonds: A lot of special education teachers establish enduring connections with families and children.
- Professional pride: Knowing your work directly impacts inclusion and equality in education.
Career Growth Opportunities in Special Education
Special education offers many pathways for advancement:
- Lead Teacher or Department Head: Oversee a team of special educators.
- Instructional Coach: Train and mentor other teachers in inclusive practices.
- Specialist Roles: Focus on autism, speech and language disorders, or behavioral intervention.
- School Administrator: Move into principal or district-level leadership.
- Higher Education: Teach future special educators at colleges or universities.
- Policy and Advocacy: Work with nonprofits or government agencies to improve special education laws and funding.
Many of these roles come with higher salaries and the chance to influence education at a broader level.
The Future of Special Education
The outlook for special education careers in the USA is strong:
- Rising demand: More students are being identified for support due to better screening and awareness.
- Technological innovation: Assistive technology, AI tools, and adaptive learning platforms will enhance teaching methods.
- Inclusive education growth: Laws and school policies are moving toward full inclusion wherever possible.
- Remote and hybrid opportunities: Online learning for special needs students is expanding, creating new teaching formats.
Overall, the profession is expected to grow steadily, offering long-term job stability and the chance to shape the next generation of inclusive classrooms.
Special Education Teacher Requirements
Becoming a special education teacher involves meeting specific educational, certification, and personal skill requirements. These ensure you can effectively support students with diverse learning needs.
1. Educational Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree – Most states require at least a bachelor’s degree in special education or a related field like elementary/secondary education, psychology, or child development.
- Teacher Preparation Program – Completion of an accredited programme that includes coursework in special education, instructional methods, and disability law.
- Student Teaching Experience—A supervised internship in a special education setting, often required before certification.
2. Certification and Licensing
- State Licensure—Each state has its own licensing requirements, which may include exams like Praxis or state-specific tests.
- Special Education Endorsement—In some states, teachers must hold a general teaching license and then earn a special education endorsement.
- Background Check—All teachers must pass a criminal background screening.
3. Continuing Education
- Teachers must often complete professional development courses or graduate-level credits to maintain licensure.
- Some states require master’s degrees within a certain time frame after starting work.
4. Personal Skills and Traits
- Patience & Empathy—Essential for working with students who learn differently.
- Communication Skills—To collaborate with parents, therapists, and other educators.
- Adaptability—ability to adjust teaching strategies as needed.
- Classroom Management—Balancing structure and flexibility in a supportive environment.
5. Specialized Knowledge
- Understanding of IEPs (Individualised Education Programs) and how to implement them.
- Familiarity with assistive technology and adaptive learning tools.
- Knowledge of specific disabilities such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or physical impairments.
FAQ
1. What qualifications are needed to become a special education teacher?
You typically need a bachelor’s degree in special education or a related field, complete a teacher preparation programme, and obtain state certification or licensure.
2. How much time does it take to earn a special education teaching certification?
It usually takes 4 years to earn a bachelor’s degree, plus additional time (6–12 months) for certification and licensing requirements.
3. Do I need a special education degree to teach special education?
Yes, in some states, you can start with a degree in another subject and complete an alternative certification programme in special education.
4. Are special education teachers in high demand?
Yes. Many states have reported shortages of qualified special education teachers, making it a high-demand career with strong job security.
5. How can a job consultancy help me find a special education teacher job?
A consultancy connects you with schools, prepares you for interviews, helps with resumes, negotiates contracts, and guides you through certification and relocation processes.
6. Describe “Every Special Child” and the services it offers.
Every Special Child is a U.S.-based education recruitment agency that helps place special education teachers in schools nationwide, offering job placement, interview prep, training, and ongoing support.
7. What abilities are necessary for a special education teacher to succeed?
Patience, empathy, adaptability, strong communication skills, and the ability to tailor teaching strategies to meet diverse learning needs.
