Special Education Teachers, Elementary School

25-2056.00

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.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• Guide or counsel students with adjustment problems, academic problems, or special academic interests.
• Administer standardized ability and achievement tests to elementary students with special needs.
• Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, or teacher training workshops to maintain or improve professional competence.
• Collaborate with other teachers or administrators to develop, evaluate, or revise elementary school programs.
• Confer with other staff members to plan or schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.
• Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, or other professionals to develop individual educational plans (IEPs) for students' educational, physical, or social development.
• Coordinate placement of students with special needs into mainstream classes.
• Develop or implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of disabilities.
• Encourage students to explore learning opportunities or persevere with challenging tasks to prepare them for later grades.
• Establish and communicate clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects to students.
• Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
• Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment or materials to prevent injuries and damage.
• Instruct students with disabilities in academic subjects, using a variety of techniques, such as phonetics, multisensory learning, or repetition to reinforce learning and meet students' varying needs.
• Instruct students in daily living skills required for independent maintenance and self-sufficiency, such as hygiene, safety, or food preparation.
• Interpret the results of standardized tests to determine students' strengths and areas of need.
• Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, or administrative regulations.
• 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.
• Modify the general elementary education curriculum for students with disabilities.
• Monitor teachers or teacher assistants to ensure adherence to special education program requirements.
• Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
• Organize and display students' work in a manner appropriate for their perceptual skills.
• Organize and supervise games or other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, or social development.
• Plan or conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
• Plan or supervise experiential learning activities, such as class projects, field trips, demonstrations, or visits by guest speakers.
• Prepare classrooms with a variety of materials or resources for children to explore, manipulate, or use in learning activities or imaginative play.
• Prepare objectives, outlines, or other materials for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or school or state requirements.
• Prepare, administer, or grade tests or assignments to evaluate students' progress.
• Provide assistive devices, supportive technology, or assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
• Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification or positive reinforcement.
• Teach students personal development skills, such as goal setting, independence, or self-advocacy.

Technology Skills

• Computer based training software - Children's educational software; EasyCBM; Rethink Ed; Scientific Learning Fast ForWord
• Data base user interface and query software - American Sign Language Browser; Individualized Educational Program IEP software
• Device drivers or system software - Screen magnification software; Screen reader software; Synapse outSPOKEN; The vOICe Learning Edition
• Electronic mail software - Email software; Microsoft Outlook 🔥
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Drawing software
• Internet browser software - Web browser software
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software 🔥
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint 🔥
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel 🔥
• Voice recognition software - goQ WordQ; Nuance Dragon NaturallySpeaking; Voice activated software
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥; Word processing software

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

Detailed Work Activities

• Advise students on academic or career matters.
• Administer tests to assess educational needs or progress.
• Attend training sessions or professional meetings to develop or maintain professional knowledge.
• Collaborate with other teaching professionals to develop educational programs.
• Develop strategies or programs for students with special needs.
• Encourage students.
• Develop instructional objectives.
• Establish rules or policies governing student behavior.
• Monitor student performance.
• Teach others to use technology or equipment.
• Teach life skills.
• Assess educational needs of students.
• Maintain student records.
• Discuss student progress with parents or guardians.
• Modify teaching methods or materials to accommodate student needs.
• Direct activities of subordinates.
• Monitor student behavior, social development, or health.
• Evaluate student work.
• Display student work.
• Plan educational activities.
• Plan experiential learning activities.
• Set up classroom materials or equipment.
• Develop instructional materials.
• Prepare tests.
• Assist students with special educational needs.