Teach academic, social, and life skills to elementary 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.
Special Education Teachers, Elementary School
SOC: 25-2056 O*NET: 25-2056.00
Median Salary
N/A
per year
Job Growth
➡️ N/A
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
N/A
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Teach academic, social, and life skills to elementary 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.
What does a Special Education Teachers, Elementary School do?
How much can you earn?
Limited Data Available: Detailed wage distribution data is not currently available for this occupation.
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Instructing
86%
#4
Learning Strategies
80%
#5
Social Perceptiveness
74%
#6
Reading Comprehension
66%
#7
Critical Thinking
60%
#8
Writing
54%
#9
Monitoring
46%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Instructing
intermediate4.3
86%
Learning Strategies
intermediate4.0
80%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.7
74%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.3
66%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.0
60%
Writing
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Instructing
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Learning Strategies
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Writing
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors82%
5 shared skills
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School82%
5 shared skills
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Instructing
- ✓Learning Strategies
Learn on the Job:
- →Writing
- →Reading Comprehension
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Instructing
- ✓Learning Strategies
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Learning Strategies
- ★Social Perceptiveness
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Special Education Teachers, Elementary School
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (5)Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)Planning & Development (5)Communication & Coordination (2)Training & Development (5)
1
Administer standardized ability and achievement tests to elementary students with special needs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, or teacher training workshops to maintain or improve professional competence.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Collaborate with other teachers or administrators to develop, evaluate, or revise elementary school programs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Confer with other staff members to plan or schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, or other professionals to develop individual educational plans (IEPs) for students' educational, physical, or social development.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Coordinate placement of students with special needs into mainstream classes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination85% perform90%
7
Develop or implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of disabilities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Encourage students to explore learning opportunities or persevere with challenging tasks to prepare them for later grades.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Establish and communicate clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects to students.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Communication & Coordination76% perform84%
10
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Special Education Teachers, Elementary School
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Special Education Teachers, Elementary School professionals typically have a SIA Holland code
SSocial
IInvestigative
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Special Education Teachers, Elementary School
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.98
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.94
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.89
Persistence
CriticalPersistence
Importance Level4.88
Initiative
CriticalInitiative
Importance Level4.88
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.88
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
5.0
Dependability
4.9
Concern for Others
4.9
Persistence
4.9
Initiative
4.9
Stress Tolerance
4.9
Cooperation
4.9
Achievement/Effort
4.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.8
Self-Control
4.8
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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