Occupation Details
Special Education Teachers, Middle School
Teach academic, social, and life skills to middle school 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.
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
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.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$68,340.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$102,210.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$117,450.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
9,220
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
10,590
+137 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
853
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.2%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Degree Needed - Four-year college
Experience Requirements
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
New York State requires workers in this occupation to hold a license or certification.
Public School Teacher
Learn MoreSkills
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.
Instructing
Teaching others how to do something.
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.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
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.
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.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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.
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.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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.
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.
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.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
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.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Social Orientation
Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
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
- Alternative computer keyboards
- Assistive amplification systems
- Audio tape recorders or players
- Braille styluses
- Bunsen burners
- Communication boards
- Computer laser printers
- Desktop computers
- Digital video cameras
- Dissection scalpels
- Document cameras
- Emergency first aid kits
- Enteral feeding equipment
- Foot operated mouse equipment
- Glass beakers
- Head operated joysticks
- Interactive whiteboards
- Jellybean switches
- Laboratory heating plates
- Laminating equipment
- Laptop computers
- Microphones
- Mouth operated joysticks
- Optical compound microscopes
- Oral suction tubes
- Page turners
- Pencil compasses
- Personal computers
- Photocopying equipment
- Portable communication devices
Technology
- Apple macOS
- Blackboard software
- EasyCBM
- Email software
- Flipgrid
- Google Classroom
- Hand held spell checkers
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Word
- Padlet
- Pear Deck
- Schoology
- Screen reader 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
- implement staff policies
- maintain educational records, reports, or files
- prepare educational reports
- communicate student progress
- conduct parent conferences
- make education presentations
- recognize physical or emotional abuse
- recognize student learning levels
- recognize student problems
- resolve behavioral or academic problems
- design classroom presentations
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve educational data
- interpret ability or achievement test results
- mentor co-workers in school or educational setting
- 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
- record student progress
- ensure correct grammar, punctuation, or spelling
- 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
- 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.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
- Modify the general education curriculum for special-needs students, based upon a variety of instructional techniques and instructional technology.
- Maintain accurate and complete student records, and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- Develop or write Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students.
- Develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of handicapping conditions.
- Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
- Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
- Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, and professionals to develop individual educational plans (IEPs) for students' educational, physical, and social development.
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Employ special educational strategies and techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, and memory.
- Collaborate with other teachers that provide instruction to special education students to ensure that the students receive appropriate support.
- Teach students personal development skills, such as goal setting, independence, and self-advocacy.
- Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
- Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine priorities for their children and their resource needs.
- Monitor teachers and teacher assistants to ensure that they adhere to inclusive special education program requirements.
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
- Coordinate placement of students with special needs into mainstream classes.
- Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
- Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.
- Guide and counsel students with adjustments, academic problems, or special academic interests.
- Instruct students in daily living skills required for independent maintenance and self-sufficiency, such as hygiene, safety, and food preparation.
- Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.
- Provide assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
- Meet with parents and guardians to provide guidance in using community resources and to teach skills for dealing with students' impairments.
- Prepare for assigned classes, and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.
- Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.
- Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers.
- Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
- Administer standardized ability and achievement tests, and interpret results to determine students' strengths and needs.
- Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
- Provide additional instruction in vocational areas.
- Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
- Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers, or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities.
- Organize and supervise games and other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, and social development.
- Organize and label materials and display students' work.
- Perform administrative duties, such as school library assistance, hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.
- Visit schools to tutor students with sensory impairments and to consult with teachers regarding students' special needs.
- Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Teachers-special education
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn More