Buffalo Special Education Jobs Overview
Are you looking to positively impact students' lives and help them reach their highest potential? If the answer is yes, you should start applying for special education jobs. As a special education teacher, you'll work with children of all ages with various behavioral, learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities to help improve their quality of life.
While many begin their careers working as a teacher or teacher's assistant in special education classrooms, you can pursue opportunities in roles such as a behavior analyst, recreational therapist, speech and language pathologist, or school psychologist as well. However, these will usually require an advanced degree or certification.
In a teaching role, you'll work with counselors, administrators, general teachers, and parents to develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for each student according to their needs. An IEP outlines the performance and requirements of the student and provides measurable learning and behavioral goals.
Your responsibilities will vary depending on your work setting, specialty, and the students' disabilities. However, you'll typically do the following:
- evaluate the students’ skills and determine their educational needs
- meet with parents to discuss their children's progress
- schedule activities specific to each student's abilities
- teach and mentor students in classrooms, small groups, and one-on-one
- update IEPs throughout the year to reflect students' development
You can expand your search for education jobs by checking out these similar positions:
About Working in Buffalo, New York
Most people will think of tangy sauce slathered over chicken wings when they envision Buffalo, but the second-largest city in the state of New York has lots more going for it. Some quick, fun facts: It has the first and oldest coordinated urban parks system in the country; the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library features a Rare Book Room with the original manuscript for Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; and the area boasts no less than five Frank Lloyd Wright buildings, including the phenomenal Martin House (a designated National Historic Landmark).
Buffalo jobs were originally supported by shipments arriving down the Erie Canal, and have now branched out into various sectors, including logistics, banking, healthcare, and tourism. Viticulture is becoming popular too, and Buffalo's cost of living is 20.5% lower than the U.S. average. Winters may be harsh and snowy, but spring, summer, and early fall climates are usually very accommodating—and you're just 20 miles away from the magnificent Niagara Falls. Also, consider looking around Rochester, Albany, and New York City for additional job opportunities.
Update Your Buffalo Special Education Resume
When it comes to your job search, resume writing can be a challenging subject to conquer. That's why we're here to help. When you craft your resume, highlight your teaching skills, such as communication style and teaching methods, with solid examples of how you've put them into action. If you want an A+ job, check out our sample teacher resume for ideas and inspiration to get your resume noticed.
Also, don't forget to include that all-important cover letter that briefly describes your professional background and passion for the job. For more help, refer to our sample teacher cover letter and library of practical cover letter tips.
How Much Do Special Education Jobs Pay in Buffalo, New York?
Got money on your mind? You should! Make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth. Our Salary Tools can help you understand what you can expect to make in special education jobs in Buffalo, New York, as well as the skills that can boost your value and what the next steps in your career might be. Right now, the median special education teacher pay in Buffalo is $19.86 per hour, which is 3% lower than the national average.
Find Your Next Buffalo Special Education Job. Monster Can Help Get You Started
Are you prepared for a career in special education? If so, set up your profile on Monster for free and begin clicking on those special education jobs. When you sign up with us, you’ll receive custom job alerts and expert advice on how to negotiate your salary in Buffalo, how to nail your job interview, and more.