Special education teacher training is a process that helps teachers gain the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to meet the needs of students with disabilities. During special education teacher training, teachers learn how to develop personalized learning plans, create engaging lessons and activities, manage student behaviors, and assess student progress.
Special education teachers are required to have a bachelor’s degree in special education or a related field and complete an approved teacher preparation program. Most states require special education teachers to have a state license or certification.
In addition to gaining the skills needed to work effectively with students with disabilities, teacher training programs may also include courses on teaching strategies, classroom management techniques and other topics designed to increase their effectiveness as educators.
Many colleges offer bachelor’s degree programs in special education or related fields that include teacher training components. Students can pursue a bachelor’s in special education or in a general subject area like mathematics or biology and then earn licensure through an alternative certification program. Many colleges also offer post-baccalaureate programs for candidates who already hold bachelor’s degrees but need additional training to earn licensure in special education.
Special education teacher training is a graduate level program devoted to preparing students for a career teaching children with special needs. Students who enroll in these programs learn about the unique challenges that students with special needs face and how to best accommodate them in an academic setting.
Special education teachers are trained in the development, analysis, provision, and evaluation of educational programs for students with disabilities. This kind of training requires an understanding of the principles of learning and motivation, in addition to knowledge of specific teaching methods and strategies.
Special education teachers work with children who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. They adapt general education lessons and teach various subjects, such as reading, writing, and math, to students with mild and moderate disabilities. They also teach basic skills, such as literacy and communication techniques, to students with severe disabilities.
Special education teachers work with general education teachers, other special education specialists, parents, and administrators to develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for each student. IEPs are designed to meet each student’s individual needs. Special education teachers often modify the general education curriculum for their students.
Many special education teachers also modify the typical teaching style in order to meet the needs of students with varying abilities. For example, they might use Braille to teach a blind student how to read or create an individualized program for a student with autism that includes social skills training. Special educators also teach functional skills like money management or reading a bus schedule.
If you want to be a special education teacher, you will need to complete a bachelor’s degree in special education. In most cases, your degree will need to include a student-teaching component. You will also need to take the Praxis I exam and the Praxis II exam for special education teachers. Each state has their own requirements, so your best bet is to check with your state’s requirements so that you can make sure you are on track to complete them. There are several areas in which a special education teacher can specialize. These include: working with students who have autism, working with students who have hearing impairments, working with students who have severe developmental delays and behavioral issues, and working with students who are gifted and talented. The training required to be a special education teacher varies depending on the type of disability that needs to be addressed.