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Special Education Teachers, Middle School

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Teach academic, social, and life skills to middle 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.

Related: Family & Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary  Healthcare Social Workers  Instructional Coordinators  Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Workers  Substance Abuse & Behavioral Disorder Counselors   

Industries: Education 

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    Work Activities

    Work Activities

    • Modify the general education curriculum for special-needs students based upon a variety of instructional techniques and instructional technology.
    • Maintain accurate and complete student records, and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
    • Develop or write Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students.
    • Develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of handicapping conditions.
    • Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
    • Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
    • Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, and professionals to develop individual educational plans designed to promote students' educational, physical, and social development.
    • Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
    • Employ special educational strategies and techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, and memory.
    • Collaborate with other teachers that provide instruction to special education students to ensure that the students receive appropriate support.
    • Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
    • Teach students personal development skills, such as goal setting, independence, and self-advocacy.
    • Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine priorities for their children and their resource needs.
    • Monitor teachers and teacher assistants to ensure that they adhere to inclusive special education program requirements.
    • Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
    • Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
    • Coordinate placement of students with special needs into mainstream classes.
    • Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
    • Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
    • Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
    • Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems, or special academic interests.
    • Instruct students in daily living skills required for independent maintenance and self-sufficiency, such as hygiene, safety, and food preparation.
    • Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.
    • Provide assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
    • Meet with parents and guardians to provide guidance in using community resources and to teach skills for dealing with students' impairments.
    • Prepare for assigned classes and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.
    • Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.
    • Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers.
    • Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
    • Administer standardized ability and achievement tests and interpret results to determine students' strengths and areas of need.
    • Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
    • Provide additional instruction in vocational areas.
    • Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
    • Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers, or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities.
    • Organize and supervise games and other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, and social development.
    • Organize and label materials and display students' work.
    • Perform administrative duties, such as assisting in school libraries, hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.
    • Visit schools to tutor students with sensory impairments and to consult with teachers regarding students' special needs.
    • Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.

    Skills

    • Instructing

      Teaching others how to do something.

    • Speaking

      Talking to others to convey information effectively.

    • Active Learning

      Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

    WorkKeys®

    Applied Math
    N/A
    Workplace Documents
    N/A
    Graphic Literacy
    N/A

    Abilities

    • Written Comprehension

      The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

    • Oral Comprehension

      The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

    • Oral Expression

      The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

    Knowledge

    • Education and Training

      Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

    • English Language

      Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

    • Psychology

      Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

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    Typical Education

    Personality

    Social: People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.They do well at jobs that need:
    • Concern for Others
    • Adaptability/Flexibility
    • Dependability
    • Self Control
    • Cooperation
    • Stress Tolerance

    Tools

    • Touch screen monitors
    • Game pads or joy sticks
    • Computer mouse
    • Braille devices for the physically challenged
    • Adaptive communication switches for the physically challenged

    Technology

    • Video creation and editing software
    • Presentation software
    • Device drivers or system software
    • Computer based training software
    • Cloud-based data access and sharing software
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