Top Special Education Schools
- Liberty University Online Click for Recommended Degree Program
- Grand Canyon University Click for Recommended Degree Program
- Western Governors Online Click for Recommended Degree Program
Special Education Teacher Responsibilities
Special education teachers are teachers who specialize in helping students who suffer from a vast array of disabilities. These disabilities may include, but are not limited to, learning disabilities, mental retardation, emotional and behavioral issues, speech and language impairments, and hearing impairments. In many cases, special education teachers also work with children who suffer from traumatic brain injury, orthopedic impairments, developmental delays, multiple disabilities, visual impairments, or deaf-blindness. This is easily one of the best careers in education because special education teachers provide assistance and services to the students who have the greatest need. The special education teacher responsibilities can be broad and varied and can create extreme stress at times. As such, it takes a very special, highly dedicated person to perform this job well. If this sounds like you, start your career training by going back to college and completing a special education program.
Special education teacher responsibilities to students
The special education teacher responsibilities to students includes helping to identify and assess any disabilities or impairments that may affect the student’s ability to function and learn fully in a regular education environment. The teacher must also work closely with other special education staff to develop and implement Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) that detail the services needed by each student. In addition, the special education teacher must provide individualized instruction. For example, in the course of a single day, a special education teacher may read to one student, scribe for another, and help practice a troublesome basic skill with yet another. He or she may work with a variety of students from all grades and will greatly varying disorders and disabilities. In addition, the teacher must keep meticulously detailed records of a student’s progress, services, and needs.
The special education teacher responsibilities to students don’t end at the special education classroom door, however. Special education teachers must work very closely with regular classroom teachers to help them modify and adapt the curriculum, assessments, and teaching methods to suit the IEP of the special needs student. This may include explaining the nature of the student’s problems, helping design curriculum, and aiding the teacher in implementing these adaptations in a regular classroom environment.
Special education teacher responsibilities to others
Special education teachers have a great deal of responsibility to people other than the students. They must keep parents informed of the student’s progress and help them implement procedures and strategies at home that will enhance the child’s progress. Special education teachers also have a responsibility to their school administration, local school district, state, and federal governments. These responsibilities include accurate record keeping and reporting as well as strict adherence to the guidelines set by each state and mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act.
By making the commitment to meet the demands of the special education teacher responsibilities, you are joining a force of compassionate, caring professionals who are dedicated to making a true, lasting difference in the lives of children who have obstacles to overcome. If you are up to the challenge offered by special education jobs, this valuable field needs you now.
