Cole, Rachel - Special Education Teacher
From What can you do with a degree in psychology?
Special Education Teacher (Rachel Cole)
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General Overview
Special education teachers assist students who may have “behavioural, communicational, intellectual, physical or multiple exceptionalities”, to be able to help students and gain from their time during school (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2014). Special education teachers teach school subjects to students who have an exceptionality or type of handicap. For example, “teachers who specialize and work with audibly and visually handicapped students and those who teach basic academic and life processes skills to the mentally impaired” (O*Net Online, 2013). In addition, “instructors and teachers of persons with disabilities teach children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities communication techniques, such as Braille or sign language, and rehabilitation skills to increase independence and mobility” (Service Canada, 2013).
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Specific tasks that are required include making and following rules for students, preparing materials and modifying the curriculum to suit individual needs based on the students’ exceptionality (O*Net Online, 2013). Special education teachers normally teach small groups of children or older students and in doing so they must “develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of handicapping conditions” (O*Net Online, 2013). In addition, special education teachers administer standardized tests to students, “establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students” (O*Net Online, 2013), and “develop individual educational plans (IEPs) designed to promote students' educational, physical, or social development” (O*Net Online, 2013). Additionally, special education teachers must talk with various people involved in the students’ learning and life, such as parents and other professionals, “to develop individual educational plans designed to promote students’ educational, physical, and social development” (O*Net Online, 2013). Furthermore, another responsibility of a special education teacher is to “maintain accurate and complete student records, and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations” (O*Net Online, 2013).