Special Education Teachers, Elementary School

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.

Interest Profile (RIASEC)

Common Job Titles

Key Tasks

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.

Guide or counsel students with adjustment problems, academic problems, or special academic interests.

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

Electronic mail software

Email software
Microsoft Outlook

Computer based training software

Children's educational software
EasyCBM
Rethink Ed
Scientific Learning Fast ForWord

Device drivers or system software

Screen magnification software
Screen reader software
Synapse outSPOKEN
The vOICe Learning Edition

Voice recognition software

goQ WordQ
Nuance Dragon NaturallySpeaking
Voice activated software

Data base user interface and query software

American Sign Language Browser
Individualized Educational Program IEP software

Spreadsheet software

Microsoft Excel

Graphics or photo imaging software

Drawing software

Office suite software

Microsoft Office software

Word processing software

Microsoft Word

Internet browser software

Web browser software

Presentation software

Microsoft PowerPoint

Tools and Equipment

Braille devices for the physically challenged

Braille label makers
Braille note-taking systems
Braille rulers
Braille writers

Scanners

Computer data input scanners
Computer voice input devices
Reading pens

Computer mouse

Eye controlled computer mouse equipment
Foot operated computer mouse equipment
Trackballs

Adaptive communication switches for the physically challenged

Jellybean switches
Sound switches

Touch screen monitors

Interactive whiteboards
Wireless touch screen monitors

Game pads or joy sticks

Head operated joysticks
Mouth operated joysticks

Sand or water tables or activity centers

Sand tables
Water tables

Handicraft tools or materials or equipment for the physically challenged

Adaptive paint brushes
Adaptive scissors

Desktop calculator

Large display calculators
Talking calculators

Page turners for the physically challenged

Page turners

Wheelchairs

Powered wheelchairs

Mobile medical services first aid kits

Emergency first aid kits

Balance or gross motor equipment

Play structures

Photocopiers

Photocopying equipment

Canes

Laser canes

Pointers

Optical pointing devices

Assistive listening devices

FM amplification systems

Laminators

Laminating equipment

Voice synthesizers for the physically challenged

Voice output devices

Board games

Educational board games

Enteral feeding administration sets

Enteral feeding equipment

Notebook computers

Laptop computers

Compasses

Pencil compasses

Handheld thermometer

Talking thermometers

Standers or standing cages or standing aids

Standing aids

Digital cameras

Compact digital cameras

Therapeutic pegboards or activity boards

Pegboards

Puzzles

Educational puzzles

Laser printers

Computer laser printers

Hearing aid

Hearing aid devices

Compact disk players or recorders

Compact disk CD players

Medical or surgical suction tubings

Oral suction tubes

Digital voice recorders

Digital audio recorders

Building blocks

Toy block sets

Patient scooters

Motorized scooters

Walkers or rollators

Walkers

Letter or symbol boards for the physically challenged

Portable communication boards

Keyboards

Alternative computer keyboards

Overhead projectors

Overhead data projectors

Telecommunication devices TDD or teletypewriters TTY for the physically challenged

Telecommunication devices TDD

Document camera

Document cameras

Childrens science kits

Science activity kits

Binocular light compound microscopes

Optical compound microscopes

Desktop computers

Personal computers

Detailed Work Activities

Collaborate with other teaching professionals to develop educational programs.

Develop strategies or programs for students with special needs.

Teach life skills.

Administer tests to assess educational needs or progress.

Develop instructional objectives.

Evaluate student work.

Monitor student performance.

Plan educational activities.

Advise students on academic or career matters.

Assess educational needs of students.

Assist students with special educational needs.

Attend training sessions or professional meetings to develop or maintain professional knowledge.

Develop instructional materials.

Direct activities of subordinates.

Discuss student progress with parents or guardians.

Display student work.

Encourage students.

Establish rules or policies governing student behavior.

Maintain student records.

Modify teaching methods or materials to accommodate student needs.

Monitor student behavior, social development, or health.

Plan experiential learning activities.

Prepare tests.

Set up classroom materials or equipment.

Teach others to use technology or equipment.

Job Zone

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.

SVP Range: (7.0 to < 8.0)