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Special Education Teacher Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

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A Special Education Teacher, or Special Educational Needs (SEN) Teacher, works with students with learning disabilities or special educational needs. Their duties include facilitating lessons suitable for students with disabilities, providing personal and academic support and designing activities to help students achieve learning objectives.

What does a Special Education Teacher do?

A Special Education Teacher works with children and young people who require extra support to learn effectively. They develop learning activities that address the physical, emotional and behavioural difficulties facing students. Special Education Teachers assess students’ skills and identify their educational needs to help their academic and social growth and development. These professionals also work with Administrators, Specialists and general education Teachers to develop individualised education programmes to meet the personal needs of each student. They also help students transition from school life to life outside of the classroom.

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Special Education Teacher Job Description Examples:

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Special Education Teacher duties and responsibilities

The primary responsibility of Special Education Teachers is to help students with learning, mental, emotional or physical disabilities learn effectively. They are expected to:

  • Study each student to determine their strengths, weaknesses and needs
  • Develop individualised learning programmes for students
  • Prepare and adapt general teaching materials for children with special needs
  • Check and assess students’ skills and performance and provide feedback for improvement
  • Enhance learning through special techniques, facilities and equipment
  • Treat students with respect and dignity in the classroom

Special Education Teacher skills and qualifications

A successful Special Education Teacher must have a range of skills and qualifications to perform their duties effectively. These skills and qualifications include: 

  • Knowledge of teaching techniques for students with special needs
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Patience and ability to work under pressure
  • Flexibility, openness to new ideas and ability to identify students’ weaknesses and strengths
  • Ability to create a conducive and positive learning environment
  • Empathy, sensitivity and compassion
  • Strong interpersonal and leaderships qualities to engage students, parents and other professionals in the educational system

Special Education Teacher experience requirements

Special Education Teachers typically need to have experience working with children with special needs. Many Special Education Teacher candidates have traditional teaching training and experience, but some study strictly for special education. Candidates must have several years of experience in curriculum design and know how to create personalised lessons from general teaching materials. Candidates can gain valuable experience through social or volunteer work involving kids who have special needs. Special education training programmes also have internship and teaching practice components designed to provide candidates with work experience.

Special Education Teacher education and training requirements

Special Education Teacher candidates can qualify for employment with a bachelor’s degree in education, science or arts that leads to a Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Candidates can also go for a postgraduate certificate in education if their first degree doesn’t provide QTS. Some postgraduate teaching apprenticeships also offer special needs training for people who already have a degree. Qualified Teachers without special education credentials can get the relevant training from the National Association of Special Educational Needs.

Special Education Teacher salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for Special Education Teacher candidates is £102 per day. The actual salary may depend on the candidate’s academic qualifications, experience, the employer, location and the specific job duties and responsibilities.

Job description samples for similar positions

Here are job description samples for similar positions if you are not looking to employ Special Education Teachers:

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Special Education Teacher Job description FAQs

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