Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten

25-2055.00

Teach academic, social, and life skills to kindergarten 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

• Administer standardized ability and achievement tests to kindergarten 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 kindergarten programs.
• Confer with other staff members to plan, schedule, or conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
• Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, or other professionals to develop individual educational plans (IEPs) for students' educational, physical, or social development.
• Confer with parents, guardians, teachers, counselors, or administrators to resolve students' behavioral or academic problems.
• Control the inventory or distribution of classroom equipment, materials, or supplies.
• Develop or implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of disabilities.
• Employ special educational strategies or techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, or memory.
• 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.
• Interpret or transcribe classroom materials into Braille or sign language.
• 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 kindergarten 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.
• Perform administrative duties, such as school library assistance, hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.
• Plan or supervise experiential learning activities, such as class projects, field trips, demonstrations, or visits by guest speakers.
• Prepare assignments for teacher assistants or volunteers.
• 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 assignments to evaluate students' progress.
• Present information in audio-visual or interactive formats, using computers, televisions, audio-visual aids, or other equipment, materials, or technologies.
• 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.
• Visit schools to tutor students with sensory impairments or to consult with teachers regarding students' special needs.

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

• 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.
• Discuss problems or issues with supervisors.
• Discuss student progress with parents or guardians.
• Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
• Distribute instructional or library materials.
• Develop strategies or programs for students with special needs.
• Establish rules or policies governing student behavior.
• Monitor student performance.
• Teach others to use technology or equipment.
• Modify teaching methods or materials to accommodate student needs.
• Maintain student records.
• Direct activities of subordinates.
• Monitor student behavior, social development, or health.
• Evaluate student work.
• Display student work.
• Plan educational activities.
• Supervise school or student activities.
• Plan experiential learning activities.
• Develop instructional materials.
• Set up classroom materials or equipment.
• Develop instructional objectives.
• Prepare tests.
• Create technology-based learning materials.
• Assist students with special educational needs.
• Teach life skills.
• Tutor students who need extra assistance.