Some possible jobs within this career area are:
Most teachers need at least a Bachelor’s Degree, but depending on your state and career path, you might need a post-graduate teaching certificate or a Master’s Degree. Some school districts also require that teachers return to school for certification or other career development every few years.
Most colleges or universities offer these forms of certification:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree
- Teaching Certificate
- PhD
Teachers, specifically good teachers, are always needed and in demand. Municipal taxes pay for public schools, which means that your area’s economy can dictate the school district budget and the number of jobs for teachers. To remain competitive in the job market, teachers often return to school to get their Master’s Degree. Some school districts tenure their teachers, which can be excellent for job stability.
Most teachers need a four-year degree, but some school districts require a Master’s Degree, which can add two to three more years of study. A typical teaching certificate takes between two and three years to earn.
How to Become a Special Education Teacher
A special education teacher, or special needs teacher, works with
children that have one or more disabilities that can range from mild to
severe. Examples of disabilities that qualify for special education are
speech, language, sight, or hearing impairments, autism, mental
retardation, and those with brain injuries and other health issues. Because
those who choose a special education career need specialized training and
must often modify curriculum to each individual student, all states require
licensure before you can become a special education teacher.
A special education teacher license will first typically require a
four-year bachelor’s degree in special education, with the last year spent
teaching under the supervision of a certified special needs teacher; some
states require a master’s degree to qualify for licensure.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in addition to your
degree you will need to complete an approved training program that is
dedicated to special education. The teacher preparation program will
include a specific amount of education and subject credits, depending on
which state you live in; many states offer licenses that cover a broad
range of disabilities while other states license several specific
specialties within the special education career area. In addition to
licensing, many states will also require you to pass a professional
assessment test before you will be eligible to teach.
Job Outlook for Special Education Teachers
Because learning disabilities are now being recognized at earlier ages,
educational reforms, and enhanced parent awareness, job prospects for
special education teachers are expected to grow by 17 percent in the next
decade. Choosing a special education career means you will be in a labor
sector with high demand for the foreseeable future.
Salaries for Special Education Teachers
The BLS states that the median special education teacher salary in 2008
depended on the grade level at which they taught. Read below to discover
the median salaries for special education teachers by grade level:
- Preschool through elementary $50,020
- Middle School 50,810
- Secondary School 51,340
(Salary data retrieved 5/29/11)
To get the education you need to become a special education teacher,
find a degree program now!