Occupation Details
Special Education Teachers, Preschool
Teach academic, social, and life skills to preschool-aged students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.
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Interests
Artistic
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$56,600.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$106,470.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$127,110.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
5,000
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
6,360
+136 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
547
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.3%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
More School - Graduate or advanced degree
Experience Requirements
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Training Details
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Adaptive scissors
- Adaptive utensils
- Alternative computer keyboards
- Braille writers
- Canes
- Communication symbol sets
- Computer laser printers
- Desktop computers
- Digital audio recorders
- Digital video disk DVD players
- Educational board games
- Educational puzzles
- Emergency first aid kits
- Eye gaze communication boards
- Head operated joysticks
- Hearing aid devices
- Interactive whiteboards
- Jellybean switches
- Laminating equipment
- Laptop computers
- Motorized scooters
- Mouth operated joysticks
- Overhead data projectors
- Page turners
- Pegboards
- Personal computers
- Photocopying equipment
- Play structures
- Pointing devices
- Reading pens
Technology
- American Sign Language Browser
- Children's educational software
- Drawing software
- Email software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Screen reader software
- Web browser software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- evaluate student performance
- maintain group discipline in an educational setting
- monitor student progress
- resolve behavioral or academic problems
- conduct field trips
- schedule student field trips
- maintain educational records, reports, or files
- prepare educational reports
- communicate student progress
- conduct parent conferences
- make education presentations
- design classroom presentations
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- use interpersonal communication techniques
- use motivational techniques in education
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use special education techniques
- use teaching techniques
- use public speaking techniques
- use knowledge of multi-media technology
- mentor co-workers in school or educational setting
- interpret ability or achievement test results
- recognize physical or emotional abuse
- recognize student learning levels
- recognize student problems
- ensure correct grammar, punctuation, or spelling
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve educational data
- use classroom management techniques
- assess educational potential or need of students
- convert information into instructional program
- coordinate educational content
- develop instructional materials
- develop teaching aids
- organize educational material or ideas
- teach mentally or emotionally-impaired students
- select teaching materials to meet student needs
- develop course or training objectives
- adapt course of study to meet student needs
- establish and maintain relationships with students
- record student progress
- empathize with others during counseling or related services
- work with persons with mental disabilities or illnesses
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Employ special educational strategies or techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, or memory.
- Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification or positive reinforcement.
- Communicate nonverbally with children to provide them with comfort, encouragement, or positive reinforcement.
- Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, or social skills, to preschool students with special needs.
- Develop individual educational plans (IEPs) designed to promote students' educational, physical, or social development.
- Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, or other professionals to develop individual education plans (IEPs).
- Teach students personal development skills, such as goal setting, independence, or self-advocacy.
- Develop or implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of disabilities.
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment or materials to prevent injuries and damage.
- Administer tests to help determine children's developmental levels, needs, or potential.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- Attend to children's basic needs by feeding them, dressing them, or changing their diapers.
- Prepare classrooms with a variety of materials or resources for children to explore, manipulate, or use in learning activities or imaginative play.
- Monitor teachers or teacher assistants to ensure adherence to special education program requirements.
- Encourage students to explore learning opportunities or persevere with challenging tasks to prepare them for later grades.
- Meet with parents or guardians to discuss their children's progress, advise them on using community resources, or teach skills for dealing with students' impairments.
- Confer with parents, guardians, teachers, counselors, or administrators to resolve students' behavioral or academic problems.
- Establish and communicate clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects to students, parents, or guardians.
- Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, or administrative regulations.
- Modify the general preschool curriculum for special-needs students.
- Coordinate placement of students with special needs into mainstream classes.
- Provide assistive devices, supportive technology, or assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
- Organize and supervise games or other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, or social development.
- Prepare objectives, outlines, or other materials for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements.
- Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, or teacher training workshops to maintain or improve professional competence.
- Read books to entire classes or to small groups.
- Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
- Arrange indoor or outdoor space to facilitate creative play, motor-skill activities, or safety.
- Organize and display students' work in a manner appropriate for their perceptual skills.
- Present information in audio-visual or interactive formats, using computers, television, audio-visual aids, or other equipment, materials, or technologies.
- Collaborate with other teachers or administrators to develop, evaluate, or revise preschool programs.
- Serve meals or snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines.
- Plan and supervise experiential learning activities, such as class projects, field trips, or demonstrations.
- Prepare assignments for teacher assistants or volunteers.
- Control the inventory or distribution of classroom equipment, materials, or supplies.