Teaching Special Education, Children and Young Children

A career in special education can be very rewarding for the right person. Promoting a child's early development can help lead him or her towards a brighter future. Special education, however, is a challenging field that isn't necessarily perfect for everyone. Continue reading about this career and decide if it's a good fit for you.

Inside Special Education

Special education teachers work with students who suffer from learning disabilities, autism, mental impairment and physical disabilities. The most successful special education teachers are patient, organized and accepting. They should understand the needs of their students and effectively motive them to improve and succeed, even under challenging circumstances.

Special education programs for children and young children are available at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree levels. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that while most special education teachers must earn at least a bachelor's degree, a few states require teachers to hold a master's degree with a specialization (www.bls.gov). According to the BLS, every state in the U.S. requires that special education teachers receive licensure and complete a teacher training program.

Through an early childhood special education program, students can prepare to work with special children in preschool and kindergarten. Other childhood special education programs prepare students to provide emotional and cognitive instruction to individuals in grades 1-6.

Special education courses commonly cover different types of learning disabilities and behavioral disorders. Students learn ways to assess student progress and improve child development. Classes also analyze different learning techniques for mild to severe disabilities and identify ways to help parents support their children. The program culminates in a student-teaching experience, where participants work with special needs children under the supervision of a licensed special education teacher.

The BLS projected that the demand for special education teachers would increase by 17% between 2008 and 2018, due to the growing number of children with learning disabilities. As of May 2010, the median annual salary for special education teachers at the preschool, kindergarten and elementary school levels was $52,250. Middle school special education teachers earned a median yearly salary of $53,440, while high school special education teachers made a median wage of $54,810 annually.

Learn More About Teaching Special Education

Special education teachers work with individuals who have mild to severe learning disabilities or special needs to improve their social, emotional and cognitive development. To explore special education careers and schooling options, continue reading. Education-Portal.com has the resources to answer your questions and get you started towards your academic goals.

Degree Options

Special education teaching programs are most common at the master's degree level, but you can also pursue an associate's, a bachelor's or a doctoral degree program. Explore the degree program requirements and the topics of study below.

Career Options

Evaluate the different kinds of careers available in special education and their academic requirements. Whether you want to become a teacher or an administrator, Education-Portal.com can give you the tools you need to choose a career path.

Distance Learning Options

Several undergraduate and graduate special education teaching programs are available online. Individual online courses are also available for those looking for academic enrichment.

Certification Options

Although licensure is necessary for special education teachers, certification is also available. This can allow you to specialize in a certain type of special education field.