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.

What you'd actually do

• 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.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).

The feel of the work

You're around people constantly. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 0.5% of special education teachers, secondary school are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are people-focused, analytical and creative.

Related careers

• Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
• Special Education Teachers, All Other
• Education Teachers, Postsecondary
• Special Education Teachers, Middle School
• Teachers and Instructors, All Other
• Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Quick questions

How much does a special education teachers, secondary school make?

The median pay is $33.46 per hour — roughly $69,500 a year. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a special education teachers, secondary school?

The typical entry-level education is: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation level: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).

What does a special education teachers, secondary school actually do all day?

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.