Tacoma 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 Tacoma, Washington
It's clear why Tacoma residents love their city. The "Mother of Waters" overlooks Puget Sound with a breathtaking view of Mt. Rainier. Point Defiance Park in Tacoma is the second-largest urban park in the U.S., right behind NYC's Central Park. Its 760 acres offer hiking, gardens, and even a zoo. It's only five miles from downtown, so people with Tacoma jobs can enjoy the park on their lunch break or after work.
There's another reason to keep your eye on Tacoma. The city has a love affair with glass. The Museum of Glass was built in 2002 to celebrate art glass and glassmaking and hosts more than 100,000 visitors each year. There's also a glassblowing studio, a bridge made of glass, and a botanical conservatory with a 12-sided dome made of 3,000 panes of glass.
Tacoma is on the list of the most livable areas in the U.S. by Livability.com. State Farm Insurance, Boeing, and Expedia must have seen the windows of opportunity in the city since they have a presence in Tacoma. If you're interested in looking at jobs in Tacoma, you can also check out the nearby cities of Lakewood, Federal Way, and Puyallup.
Update Your Tacoma 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 Tacoma, Washington?
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 Tacoma, Washington, 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 Tacoma is $21.44 per hour, which is 5% higher than the national average.
Find Your Next Tacoma 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 Tacoma, how to nail your job interview, and more.