Occupation Details
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
Teach academic, social, and life skills to secondary 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
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
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
$58,100.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$82,050.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$107,490.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
15,180
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
17,460
+228 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
1,408
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.
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.
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.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Instructing
Teaching others how to do something.
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
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.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
- 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
- Liquid crystal display LCD projectors
- Microphones
- Mouth operated joysticks
- Multimedia projection equipment
- Optical compound microscopes
- Oral suction tubes
- Page turners
- Pencil compasses
- Personal computers
Technology
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Email software
- Hand held spell checkers
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Word
- Screen reader software
- Text to speech 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.
- maintain educational records, reports, or files
- prepare educational reports
- communicate student progress
- conduct parent conferences
- make education presentations
- resolve behavioral or academic problems
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- evaluate student performance
- maintain group discipline in an educational setting
- supervise student extra-curricular activities
- monitor student progress
- recognize physical or emotional abuse
- recognize student learning levels
- recognize student problems
- interpret ability or achievement test results
- record student progress
- empathize with others during counseling or related services
- work with persons with mental disabilities or illnesses
- design classroom presentations
- 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
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve educational data
- 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
- teach individuals work-related techniques or skills
- select teaching materials to meet student needs
- develop course or training objectives
- adapt course of study to meet student needs
- mentor co-workers in school or educational setting
- establish and maintain relationships with students
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of handicapping conditions.
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
- Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
- Maintain accurate and complete student records, and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
- Employ special educational strategies and techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, and memory.
- Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.
- Modify the general education curriculum for special-needs students, based upon a variety of instructional techniques and technologies.
- Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine priorities for their children and their resource needs.
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- Coordinate placement of students with special needs into mainstream classes.
- Teach personal development skills, such as goal setting, independence, and self-advocacy.
- Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, or other professionals to develop individual educational plans (IEPs) for students' educational, physical, and social development.
- Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
- Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.
- Monitor teachers and teacher assistants to ensure that they adhere to inclusive special education program requirements.
- Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
- Guide and counsel students with adjustments, academic problems, or special academic interests.
- Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
- Administer standardized ability and achievement tests, and interpret results to determine students' strengths and needs.
- 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.
- 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.
- Provide additional instruction in vocational areas.
- Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
- Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
- Collaborate with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of secondary school programs.
- 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.
- Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
- Provide interpretation and transcription of regular classroom materials through Braille and sign language.
- Visit schools to tutor students with sensory impairments and to consult with teachers regarding students' special needs.
- Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers, or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities.
- Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
- Perform administrative duties, such as school library assistance, hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.
- Sponsor extracurricular activities, such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.
- 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.
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