Do you love helping others? Are you tolerant of people who learn differently? If so, a major in special education may be right for you. Special education teachers work with students who have a wide range of learning, emotional, physical, and mental disabilities. These teachers adapt their teaching styles to the specific student’s disability. You could teach any subject from math, to English, and anything in between.
Education
Special education teachers are required to have a bachelor’s degree to teach in public and private schools. In public schools, teachers are required to have a state license or certificate to teach special education. Besides education classes, you may study psychology, specific subject areas, and so on. Volunteer teaching experience with handicapped children may be helpful to see if this major is the right fit for you.
What to know before you apply
A person majoring in special education should have good patience. You are going to be working with children with a wide array of disabilities, which can be challenging. Make sure you have a passion for teaching disabled students, because it is often a very rewarding experience if you appreciate the work you are doing. You will be working with not only your students, but their parents, caregivers, and other teachers as well. Be prepared to plan lessons ahead of class, tailored to your specific students. Special education teachers have to plan individualized education programs, called IEPs.
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, special education teachers earned an average wage of $55,980 per year as of 2014.
