What Do Special Education Teachers Do?
Did you know that approximately 1 in 6 children in the United States has a developmental disability? For millions of 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.
Table of Contents
- Understanding the Role of Special Education Teachers
- A Day in the Life of a Special Education Teacher
- Responsibilities of Special Education Teachers
- Work Settings for Special Education Teachers
- Why Choose Special Education?
Special education teachers play a pivotal role in adapting curriculum, incorporating assistive technology, and fostering strong collaboration between students, families, and educators.
The demand for skilled special education professionals is high, with the number of children identified as having disabilities doubling since 1976. Federal mandates, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), have made it possible to expand educational opportunities for differently-abled students. Graduates of National University’s Special Education programs can look forward to a steady job market and rewarding career opportunities in this dynamic field.
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 Disorders: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), intellectual disabilities
- Learning Disabilities: Dyslexia, dyscalculia, written expression disorder
- Emotional and Behavioral Disorders: Anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, oppositional defiant disorder
- Physical Disabilities: Cerebral palsy, visual or hearing impairments
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 is no “typical” day for a special education teacher. Each day brings unique challenges and successes. Each new day presents unique challenges and unexpected moments because students’ needs and behaviors can vary drastically from day to day. Special education teachers must always be prepared, flexible, and quick to adapt and react accordingly to support students.
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:
- SMART Goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)
- Accommodations (e.g., extended test time, alternative assessments)
- Behavioral and social-emotional strategies
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 styles.
- Multisensory Learning: Engaging students through visual, auditory, and tactile experiences.
- Assistive Technology: Incorporating tools such as speech-to-text software and adaptive keyboards.
- 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 a necessary aspect of special education. Teachers face the challenge of working with different personalities and diverse student needs. Special educators use Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) to address challenging behaviors in structured ways.
A BIP is a written, personalized document designed to address problematic behaviors. It identifies triggers, suggests replacement behaviors for students to learn, and encourages using positive reinforcement. Common positive reinforcement techniques include verbal praise, social reinforcement, and using tangible rewards. BIPs encourage appropriate behaviors while reducing problem behaviors.
This structured approach to teaching has been shown to reduce challenging behaviors in children with special needs, particularly in those with autism. Predictable routines, clear expectations, and visual schedules help reduce anxiety and improve student success.
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.
- Provide home strategies to reinforce learning.
- Maintain open communication through regular updates and conferences.
When parents and teachers work together, students receive consistent support at school and at home.
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 infants and toddlers with developmental delays. Special education teachers working in this setting provide play-based instruction, language development activities, and motor skill training. Early intervention programs take advantage of the fact that our brains have significant neuroplasticity in the first five years of life. Neuroplasticity makes it easier for the brain to rapidly form and reorganize neural connections in response to experiences. This means special education teachers can provide targeted stimulation to help children develop and strengthen important, age-appropriate skills.
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!
This content has been reviewed and approved by the National University Editorial Advisory Board. Learn more about our editorial process.