Special Education Teacher Jobs in the United States

Special Education Teacher Jobs Overview

Step into a fulfilling career dedicated to fostering academic and social growth through special education teacher jobs. Your role will literally change lives. Bring your empathy, adaptability, and passion to create an inclusive learning environment for students with diverse needs.

As a special education teacher, you’ll:

• craft personalized lesson plans
• offer tailored support
• collaborate with a dynamic team

You’ll typically work in public or private schools ranging from kindergarten to secondary level. Family homes, residential facilities, and hospitals are other, less common workplaces you could find yourself in.

Your impact extends beyond the typical school calendar, leaving a lasting impression on the lives you touch. You’ll also be involved in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) as well as Extended School Year (ESY) services during the summer or other breaks for students with special education needs. So, get ready to apply to one of the 33,500 openings for special education teachers available every year over the next decade.

Salaries for Special Education Teacher Jobs

The median annual wage for special education teachers is $62,950. You could earn more or less than that depending on the type of organization you work for, your experience and your location. For instance, special education teacher jobs pay the highest annual salary in these industries:

• management of companies and enterprises: $118,540
• educational support services: $87,160
• offices of other health practitioners: $86,430
• individual and family services: $82,680
• local government, excluding schools and hospitals: $82,570

Look for jobs in the following states for the highest available earnings:

• New York: $114,810 per year
• Oregon: $86,560 per year
• Massachusetts: $85,410 per year
• California: $81,580 per year
• Delaware: $80,550 per year

Explore Monster’s Salary Tool to find out how much you’d make as a special education teacher in your area. We’ll also show you salaries for similar roles and in-demand skills in your field.

How to Find the Best Special Education Teacher Jobs

Make the quest for special education teacher positions easier. Narrow down your search by tailoring the listings you apply for to those that match your passion, skills, and personal needs.

Chose the Right Work Environment

First, think about the work environment, do you want to work in public or private schools, or other types of organizations? Each has its unique advantages.

For example, public schools offer stability and standardized resources. Private institutions may provide a more personal setting and potential for more customized approaches.

Also consider which age group you have the knowledge to work with and decide which one you feel most comfortable supporting. Ask yourself if there are specific needs you’d like to cater for, such as children with ADHD, those with physical disabilities, or dyslexia.

Filter Job Openings

It first makes sense to filter job roles by required qualifications. For some roles, you may need specific certifications or a certain number of years in the field. Next, focus on job descriptions expressing clear duties and expectations.

If you’re not tied to one location, also consider the cost of living and community vibe where a job is based.

Research Potential Employers

Learn about each organization’s culture, mission, and support systems before you apply. Do they have strong inclusion programs, parental and community involvement, or technology integration?

Look for online reviews or reach out to current or former teachers to get firsthand insights into the work culture. Feedback from families can also tell you a lot about the approach of the organization.

How to Apply to Special Education Teacher Jobs

Make your resume and cover letter irresistible to recruiters with our top tips.

Update Your Resume for Special Education Teacher Jobs

Check out our teacher resume sample for a ready-made layout you only have to fill in with your details. But remember to customize it to each job you apply to!

Scan each job opening for important keywords. These may be hard or soft skills, specific teaching skills, educational requirements or certifications. For example::

• individualized instruction
• proficiency in assistive technology tools like Boardmaker or Read&White
• collaborative learning
• multisensory teaching
• IEP development
• behavioral management
• speech-language pathology
• adaptive curriculum
• functional behavior assessment (FBA)

Add an impactful teacher resume objective, and focus on quantifiable achievements. Use numbers to showcase your impact in past roles with KPIs such as:

• percentage of IEP goals met
• student progress rates
• behavioral improvement rates
• intervention effectiveness
• student attendance improvements
• professional development hours

Check out more teacher resume tips or leave it to an expert writer from Monster’s Resume Writing Services. We’ll craft a keyword-rich resume that showcases your skills and expertise, so you land more interviews.

Cover Letter Tips

Crafting a compelling teacher cover letter is your opportunity to transcend a mere list of accomplishments and reveal the person behind the qualifications. Remember, that schools seek more than just skills.

They want to connect with the individual who will shape their students’ educational journeys. Plus, they want to know why you want to work in inclusive education. So, follow these easy steps to write a great cover letter:

1. Address the hiring manager by name, whenever possible. You’ll find their details on the job opening, the organization’s website, or by simply calling and asking.
2. Express genuine enthusiasm for special education teaching.
3. Talk about your teaching background with examples of successful inclusion practices.
4. Mention the school’s mission and values and illustrate your commitment to these.
5. Wrap up with why you’re the ideal candidate and close with a call to action to discuss your application in person during an interview.

Did you remember to proofread? Great! Now, upload your resume and cover letter to your Monster profile. You’re just a few clicks away from applying to any listing you like. Plus, you’ll receive the latest job openings matching your preferences directly to your inbox.

How to Follow Up with an Employer

After hitting the “submit”; button for a special education teaching position, know that you can do more than just sit back. If you don’t get a reply after a week, take the matter into your own hands and follow up. A concise and polite email is the way to go.

Craft a brief message highlighting your enthusiasm for the role, mentioning your most relevant skills, and expressing gratitude for the opportunity. Keep it short and sweet - ideally no more than three paragraphs.

Pro tip: inject a pinch of personality into your message. Share a quick anecdote about why you’re passionate about special education - personal connection matters.

Make the email subject noticeable but professional. A dash of creativity can set you apart from the sea of emails and intrigue recruiters to open your message. Here are a couple of examples:

• “Let’s Chat About My Special Ed Application at School ABC”;
• “Follow-Up on my Application: Let's Talk About Bringing Special Ed to the Next Level”;

Interviewing Tips for Special Education Teacher Jobs

Before heading to your interview, it’s important to take some time to prepare thoroughly. Practice your answers to help you be at ease on the day and calm your interview nerves.

Get ready for the most common interview questions, such as:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why do you want this job?
• What can you do for us that other candidates can’t?

Next, focus on typical teacher interview questions, like:

• Who is your role model?
• How do you motivate students?
• How do you handle conflicts with parents?

Finally, learn how to use the STAR method to answer behavioral questions, including:

• How do you handle challenging behaviors in a special education setting?
• Can you share an example of a successful intervention you implemented for a student with diverse learning needs?
• How do you establish rapport and maintain effective communication with parents of students with special needs? Please, share an example.

What to Do When You Get an Offer

You’ve aced the interview and snagged a special education teacher job offer. Now, reply promptly - within the same day - expressing your gratitude for the opportunity.

Politely ask for some time to thoroughly evaluate the offer. This is common practice and shows that you take such a decision seriously.

Assess the offer carefully. Consider factors beyond salary, like benefits, professional development opportunities, and work-life balance. Research teaching contract regulations in your state, district, and in the particular organization to see how much room you have to negotiate.

If you decide to negotiate, do it gracefully. Whether you’re after a tweak in pay, additional professional development resources, or a flexible schedule, be clear and confident in expressing your added value.

Special Education Teacher Career Paths

When you’re ready to move on from special education teacher jobs, there are many alternative career paths you could explore. Here are some common ones:

• School counselor. As a school counselor, you’d guide students through academic and personal challenges. You'd also leverage your empathy and communication skills perfected as a special education teacher. To transition into this role, focus on building active listening, crisis intervention, and individualized counseling skills as well as obtaining necessary certifications.
• Behavioral analyst. In this role, you’d use your expertise to assess, analyze and develop strategies to address challenging behaviors in diverse educational settings. You’ll have to integrate knowledge in the areas of functional behavioral assessment, data collection and analysis, and behavioral intervention planning.
• Curriculum designer. With your background, you’ll have an easy time creating and adapting educational material to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities.
• Education consultant. You could also thrive as an education consultant. You’d provide expertise to schools, districts, or organizations in education matters. To succeed, you need strong analytical skills, adaptability, and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Similar Occupations

Explore similar positions to special education teacher jobs. Check out these popular options:

• education jobs
• teacher jobs
• online teaching jobs
• elementary school teacher jobs
• early childhood teacher jobs