What Do Special Education Teachers Do?

What Do Special Education Teachers Do?

Across the United States, millions of children rely on special education services to thrive in school and beyond. For these students, special education teachers serve as educators, advocates, and champions for inclusion. These dedicated professionals provide the support necessary for students with disabilities to meet academic, social, emotional, and behavioral goals.

Over the past 50 years, special education has evolved significantly, with a shift toward inclusion and individualized learning. Today, students with disabilities are increasingly integrated into general education classrooms, receiving personalized instruction through Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). These programs outline goals, accommodations, and services needed to help students succeed. Additionally, great strides have been made in integrating assistive technology, expanding early intervention services, and increasing the emphasis on parental involvement.

Special education teachers do far more than adapt curriculum and incorporate assistive technology; they are expert problem-solvers, advocates, and leaders who build inclusive learning environments, navigate complex systems, and foster deep, collaborative partnerships with students, families, and fellow educators to support every aspect of a child’s development.

The need for skilled special education professionals continues to grow, reflecting both an increased awareness of diverse learning needs and a commitment to serving all students. Since 1976, the number of children identified with disabilities has doubled—an indication of progress in early identification and support. Landmark legislation like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has helped expand equitable educational opportunities, empowering students with disabilities to reach their full potential.

Understanding the Role of Special Education Teachers 

The range of disability types covered by special education programs has increased since the 1970s, with IDEA officially recognizing 13 disability categories. Special education teachers support students with a wide range of needs, including:

• Developmental Differences: Autism spectrum, intellectual disabilities
• Learning Differences: Dyslexia, dyscalculia, challenges with written expression
• Emotional and Behavioral Needs: Experiences with anxiety, mood regulation, or oppositional behavior
• Physical and Sensory Disabilities: Conditions such as cerebral palsy, or visual and hearing differences

Their work extends beyond academics to include social and emotional skill development, individualized instruction, and behavior support strategies. For example, a teacher working with a student with ASD who struggles to pick up on social cues may incorporate video modeling and social stories to help develop communication skills. The teacher may pause to discuss observed social cues and what the appropriate response should be. 

A Day in the Life of a Special Education Teacher

There’s no such thing as a ‘typical’ day for a special education teacher. Each day is shaped by the diverse and evolving needs of students, bringing both unexpected challenges and meaningful successes. Because students’ strengths, behaviors, and support needs can vary from moment to moment, special education teachers must remain prepared, flexible, and responsive—always ready to adapt in order to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

While every day is different in the life of a special education teacher, key responsibilities include:

• Classroom Instruction: Adapting lessons to meet the needs of diverse learners
• Collaboration: Partnering with general education teachers, therapists, and families to support student progress
• IEP Development and Implementation: Creating and tracking individualized education plans
• Behavioral Support: Using positive reinforcement and structured interventions
• Parent Communication: Keeping families informed and involved in their child’s learning journey

While the role is demanding, it is also deeply fulfilling, offering teachers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in students’ lives.

Responsibilities of Special Education Teachers

Special education teachers juggle a wide range of interconnected responsibilities each day. Their core duties include managing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), delivering and adapting classroom instruction, providing behavioral support, collaborating with other professionals, and maintaining consistent communication with families. In the sections that follow, we’ll take a closer look at each of these key responsibilities.

Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)

IEPs are legally binding documents that outline a student’s educational goals, accommodations, and required services. Managing IEP workloads involves a considerable time commitment for special education teachers. Special education teachers collaborate with parents, general education teachers, and specialists to create IEPs tailored to student needs. These plans often include:

• SMARTIE Goals – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound, Inclusive, and Equitable goal setting tailored to individual student needs
• Accommodations – Changes in how a student accesses learning or demonstrates understanding (e.g., extended time on tests, alternative formats, preferential seating)
• Modifications – Changes in what a student is expected to learn (e.g., simplified assignments, adjusted curriculum standards)
• Behavioral and social-emotional supports – Such as self-regulation tools, relationship-building strategies, and inclusive discipline approaches that promote emotional growth and a sense of belonging

Tracking progress through data collection, student work samples, and observations ensures that students receive appropriate support and adjustments when needed.

Teachers monitor progress with standardized tools, sharing progress reports with parents and the IEP team. If stated goals aren’t met, the team will reassess, modify strategies and supports, and create new goals. 

Classroom Instruction and Adaptation

Special education teachers tailor their teaching methods and materials to support the diverse learning needs of their students. They strike a careful balance between meeting individual education goals and maintaining overall classroom progress.

To achieve this, they employ a range of instructional strategies, such as differentiated instruction, visual supports, hands-on activities, and assistive technology, to help every student engage with the material and succeed. 

These include:

• Differentiated Instruction: Tailoring lessons based on student needs and learning preferences
• Multisensory Learning: Engaging students through visual, auditory, and tactile experiences
• Assistive Technology: Incorporating tools such as digital graphic organizers, interactive white boards, speech-to-text
• Scaffolding: Breaking down complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps

The ability to remain flexible and responsive is essential, as students’ needs may shift over time.

Behavioral Support

Behavior management is an important and dynamic part of special education, offering opportunities for growth and learning for both students and teachers. Special educators embrace the challenge of supporting diverse personalities and needs by using Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) as thoughtful, structured tools to guide positive behavior change and foster student success.

A Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) is a personalized, written strategy designed to support students in developing positive behaviors. It helps identify triggers, teaches replacement skills, and emphasizes the use of positive reinforcement to encourage growth. Common reinforcement techniques include verbal praise, social recognition, and tangible rewards. By focusing on building appropriate behaviors, BIPs empower students to reduce challenges and succeed in the learning environment.

This structured approach to teaching has proven effective in reducing challenging behaviors, especially for students with autism. By providing predictable routines, clear expectations, and visual schedules, educators help lower anxiety and create a supportive environment where students can thrive and build confidence.

Collaboration with Other Professionals

Collaboration is essential in special education. Teachers regularly work with general education colleagues, speech and occupational therapists, and other specialists to develop a well-rounded understanding of each student’s strengths, challenges, and needs. These teams meet to discuss academic progress, behavioral and emotional development, therapeutic supports, and individualized goals.

Special education teachers also take part in meetings with parents, administrators, and other professionals to review progress and adjust strategies as needed. Consistent communication and shared goals across all parties are key to supporting student success.

Parental Communication and Involvement

While parental communication is important for every student, the level of detail and frequency is more intensive and consistent for students with special education needs. Regular communication with parents and guardians keeps them informed about their child’s progress and involved in the educational process. If challenges arise, addressing them sooner rather than later ensures better outcomes. 

Special education teachers:

• Conduct IEP meetings to discuss progress and next steps
• Collaborate with families to identify and support strategies at home that enhance student learning
• Maintain open communication through regular updates and conferences

When parents and teachers partner together, students benefit from consistent support both at school and at home, creating a stronger foundation for their success.

Work Settings for Special Education Teachers 

Contrary to popular belief, special education teachers go beyond working in traditional school and classroom settings. In addition to teaching in public and private schools, they can also work in specialized schools for students with specific disabilities or in early intervention programs for infants and toddlers.

Public and Private Schools

In both public and private schools, special education teachers work in inclusive classrooms, where students with disabilities learn alongside their peers. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 85% of special education teachers work in public schools, 8% work in private schools, and the rest work with students in other settings. 

Some teachers also work in self-contained classrooms, providing more individualized instruction to students who require intensive support. Resource rooms offer an alternative model, allowing students to receive specialized instruction for part of the day before rejoining their general education classes.

Specialized Schools

Some special education teachers work in specialized schools designed to serve students with specific disabilities. This includes schools for the deaf, blind, or those with severe cognitive or physical impairments. Teachers in such schools usually have advanced training in their area of expertise and use specialized techniques, tools, and curricula. For example, to teach in a school for the blind, educators need a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) certification. 

Early Intervention Programs

Early intervention services focus on supporting infants and toddlers with developmental delays during a critical period of rapid brain growth and change. Special education teachers in this setting use play-based learning, language-building activities, and motor skill development to tap into the remarkable neuroplasticity of young brains, and their incredible ability to form and reorganize neural connections in response to experiences. By providing targeted, meaningful stimulation during these early years, educators empower children to build and strengthen essential skills, setting a strong foundation for lifelong learning and growth.

Why Choose Special Education?

A career in special education is ideal for those who are passionate about advocacy, inclusion, and individualized learning. Special education teachers have the opportunity to transform lives by providing the skills and confidence students need to thrive academically and socially.

Special education offers an exciting opportunity for those who enjoy challenging work that comes with great personal fulfillment. If you want to make an impact on the lives of children who need it most, this rewarding career path is waiting for you. 

If you’re inspired to make a difference, National University’s accredited Special Education programs provide the flexible learning options you need to advance your career. Our Master of Education in Special Education with Preliminary Education Specialist Credential enables educators to support students with mild to moderate support needs, as well as those with more extensive support needs. Whether you’re looking to earn your teaching credential or pursue a master’s degree, NU’s Whole Human Education™ approach ensures you receive the academic, career, and emotional support to succeed.

Start your journey today and become the teacher who empowers students to reach their full potential!