1. Special Ed Teacher
By: Kristen Messerle

2. What does a Special Ed Teacher do?
• Works with students
who need extra learning
help outside the
classroom
• Changes lesson plans to
meet the students
abilities and needs

3. Abilities needed to be a Special Ed
Teacher
• Understand teaching
methods for those with
disabilities
• Talk easily with others
• Be sensitive to the special
needs of students
• Motivate students
• Be emotionally stable and
mature
• Understands and accept
the difference in others

4. What service does a Special Ed Teacher
provide?
• Quality lessons and
education for a wide
range of disabilities
• Aids families of
students with
disabilities to become
advocates for their
children

5. With Whom They Work and Where
Who They Work With Where They Work
• Teachers • Public Schools
• Other administrators • Private Schools
• Students • Homes
• Parents

6. Teacher Information
Hours and Season Likes and Dislikes
of Work • Teachers like…
• School hours – Helping students learn
and succeed
• Nights and weekends to
– Being creative and
prepare designing quality lessons
• Only when school is in
session (varies) • Teachers dislike…
– Long hours and low pay

7. College major, degrees and licensure
• Major in Education
• Minor in special
education
• Bachelor degree in
education
• Strongly encouraged: MA
in ed. or special ed.
• A license to teach is
required in many states,
but some states make
exceptions

8. Colleges
Many colleges offer a four • UNI
year program in • University Of Iowa
education. There are • Or any other 4 year
many choices in Iowa, college
as well as nationwide.

9. UNI
• Per year: $6,648
• Room and board:
$7,597
• Books and supplies:
$1,054
• Fees: $987
• Personal expenses:
$2,146
• Transportation: $900
• Total: $19,332

10. Training/Salary
Training Salary
• Student teaching • The average for an
• Encouraged to get a Elementary special ed.
masters degree Teacher: $52,250
• Much of the training is
on-the job training • Financial Benefits:
(post BA studies) – Health insurance
– Vacation
– Sick leave
– IPERS

11. Travel or Transfer?
• Teach overseas
• Transfer throughout the
district
• Some teachers can have
a position that covers
more than one school

12. Projected Growth
• 2010 –2020: 21%

13. Other jobs later in life
• Child care teacher
• Social worker
• Counselor
• Principal
• Occupational therapist

14. Bibliography
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Discover
• UNI
• IPERS
• All Education