Special Education Careers

There are many special education career paths to choose from, including teaching, teacher's aide, and administration in special education departments across various age groups. Although almost all teaching positions require a bachelor's degree and teaching certificate, your specific career goals will dictate what kind of degree you'll need to earn. See some of the most popular positions below to find out what level of training you'll need.

Teacher's Aide

A frequently essential position in any special education department, aides (or paraeducators) assist teachers at all levels of special education, including preschool. They coach students with learning disabilities in and out of the general ed classroom, providing an extra layer of support to the special education infrastructure. Many times, aides are the primary point of one-on-one help for special needs students, and they can be called upon to grade papers, present lessons and participate in classroom activities whenever the teacher requires assistance.

Required Training: A teacher's aide position generally does not require any previous training, although a deep commitment to helping children is necessary. Most of the training is done on the job. However, some districts require paraeducators to complete classes and certification requirements over time.

Early Childhood Special Educator

The early childhood special education career is for teachers who work in preschools, homes, day care and special education centers. They are responsible for helping infants and toddlers under the age of 5 build learning skills to prepare them for school.

If you work with these youngest of special needs students, you'll need to be prepared to communicate and collaborate with others involved, be they parents, therapists, social workers or medical professionals, because everyone works together to determine the best possible environment and strategies for each child. It's important to be flexible and organized in the role, because disabilities vary widely from child to child, and training parents on the medical and developmental tasks necessary for their child's progress can be a large part of the role.

Required Training: To work in special ed schools, a bachelor's degree with an endorsement in teaching early childhood special education is often required. However, some private schools or homes will not require specific education or certification.

K – 12 Special Education Teacher

Primary and secondary special education teachers work with parents, general education teachers and school administrators to develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for their students, tailoring schedules and goals to each child's specific needs and abilities. Then, they work with students and parents to carry them out. Other duties may include the following:

• Designing and using modified curricula to fit student abilities
• Providing testing assistance, including oral examinations, extended test times and larger print materials
• Assessing student performance, including grading homework and tests
• Helping students develop emotionally and behaviorally
• Teaching students basic life skills
• Working closely with parents on student progress
• Collaborating with parents, counselors, physical therapists, administrators and other teachers

To get a better feel for what a special education career in a K – 12 classroom is like, see our special education school programs article.

Required Training: A special education teaching position requires the minimum of a bachelor's degree and a completed teaching certificate, although some schools or states may require a master's degree in special education.

Special Education Administrator

Special education administrators, usually heads of school district special education departments, are responsible for handling budget details and curricula, running department operations, setting policies, supporting teachers and fostering department growth. If you are interested in taking on higher-level responsibilities and supporting the teachers who spend their days with special needs students, an administration position may be right for you. Consider these additional duties:

• Identifying educational standards and goals for special education programs
• Motivating teachers and staff
• Writing grants and preparing budgets
• Mediating disputes between schools and parents
• Providing parents with progress reports
• Reviewing all programs under the special education services umbrella

Required Training: A special education career in administration requires a master's or doctoral degree in special education, as well as administrative experience and proven excellence in the field.

No matter their age or diagnoses, all special education students deserve compassionate and talented teachers, administrators and caregivers who possess the patience and understanding necessary to help encourage student progress. If you want to make a difference in students' lives, there is no greater calling than working in a special education department.