What Does a Special Education Teacher Do?
In most classrooms, teaching follows a familiar rhythm, with one teacher, one lesson, and many students learning together. But that setup often falls short for students with disabilities or learning differences. That is where a special education teacher comes in.
These dedicated professionals play a vital role in ensuring that every student, regardless of ability, receives the support, guidance, and tools they need to thrive. But what does a special education teacher do exactly? The answer is more dynamic than you might expect.
From designing individualized lesson plans to coordinating with therapists and supporting families, the job is complex—and rewarding. If you are considering doing special education teacher work, here is what you need to know about this meaningful career.
Types of Special Education Teachers
Special education is not a one-size-fits-all profession. Teachers in this field often specialize in specific age groups, service models, or student needs.
Early Childhood, K-12, and Transition Services Professionals
These roles are typically organized by age and developmental state, allowing teachers to focus on the specific challenges and learning opportunities that arise during each phase of a student’s journey:
- Early childhood special educators: These individuals work with infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children who have developmental delays or disabilities. They often focus on early intervention strategies, play-based learning, and family support.1
- K-12 special education teachers: These teachers support students in elementary, middle, and high schools. Their students may have a wide range of disabilities, from mild learning challenges to more complex physical or cognitive impairments. Many aspiring educators research how to become special education teachers as their first step toward entering this rewarding career path.
- Transition services teachers: Transition services teachers help students in high school prepare for adulthood. They focus on life skills and job readiness, and sometimes support the transition into college or vocational programs.
Each role requires a unique approach, but they all share the same goal: helping students reach their fullest potential. That is why real-world experience and training at every level of development are so critical in this profession. These specialized roles offer exciting opportunities for those exploring careers in special education.
Resource, Self-Contained, and Inclusion Teachers
In addition to age group, special education teachers may be categorized based on the service model they use to support students.
- Resource teachers: Resource teachers work with students in separate classrooms for part of the day, providing additional support in specific subjects like math or reading.2
- Self-contained teachers: These professionals work with students who benefit from a smaller, more structured setting.3 These students usually remain in a separate classroom for most or all of the school day.
- Inclusion or co-teachers: Inclusion or co-teachers support students within general education classrooms.4 They typically work alongside general education teachers to adapt lessons, provide accommodations, and ensure each student can participate fully.
These models vary depending on the students' needs, the school’s resources, and the teacher’s area of expertise. Educators often learn about different types of special education classrooms as part of their training and certification programs.
Behavior Interventionists and Specialists
Some special education teachers specialize even further, working with specific populations or behavioral needs that require a more targeted approach.
- Behavior interventionists: Focused on students’ emotions and actions, behavior interventionists help with emotional or behavioral disorders. They use specialized special education strategies to manage outbursts, build coping skills, and foster emotional regulation.
- Autism specialists: Autism specialists work with students on the autism spectrum. Their focus might include communication, sensory integration, or social skills development, often using evidence-based approaches like applied behavioral analysis (ABA).5
These roles require advanced training and a deep understanding of student behavior and motivation. They are essential in helping students who need consistent structure and individualized support. Many of these professionals hold a certification in special ed or a related area to ensure their preparation is complete and aligned with student needs.
A Day in the Life of a Special Education Teacher
The role of a special education teacher is multifaceted, demanding, and deeply personal. Here is a closer look at what a typical day may look like:
Lesson Planning and Adaptation
Special education teachers spend a significant portion of their time planning and modifying lessons to meet individual student needs. This might mean simplifying reading passages or incorporating visual aids into lesson plans.
Ultimately, lessons must align with students’ individualized education programs (IEPs), which outline specific learning goals and accommodations. Every lesson and assessment is tailored to support special needs, which requires both creativity and a strong foundation in instructional design. Teachers who follow best practices in special education know how to individualize instruction effectively while managing time and resources.
IEP Meetings and Documentation
IEP meetings are a cornerstone of special education. These collaborative sessions include the teacher, parents or guardians, school administrators, and often other professionals like speech therapists or psychologists.
Together, this group sets goals for the student and determines the exact services and supports needed. In addition to participating in these meetings, special education teachers are responsible for tracking progress and maintaining detailed records.
Collaboration with Support Staff
Special education teachers rarely work alone. More often than not, they team up with a range of professionals, including:
- Paraprofessionals or classroom aides who assist with day-to-day tasks and provide one-on-one support
- Speech and occupational therapists who help students with communication or motor skills
- Counselors and psychologists who address emotional and behavioral needs
This collaboration is essential to delivering consistent, whole-child support. Teachers often act as the central coordinator, ensuring everyone is on the same page. These interactions also provide new educators with an opportunity to build their experience early in their careers, even within their first year on the job.
Communication with Families
Building strong relationships with families is another crucial part of the job. In fact, special education teachers often communicate more frequently with parents than general education teachers do.
They update progress, celebrate wins, and work through challenges together. Having a bachelor’s degree in education or a special ed teaching credential often equips teachers with the foundational communication skills needed for these ongoing conversations.
Explore Becoming a Special Education Teacher with Alliant
Being a special education teacher means more than being an educator—you are also an advocate, strategist, and collaborator, working tirelessly to make sure every learner is supported.
If you are inspired by the idea of making a meaningful difference in the lives of students with diverse learning needs, consider earning your Special Education Teaching Credential at Alliant International University. Our program is designed to prepare future educators with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in the field. Whether you're looking to complete your degree or earn your first certification, Alliant supports your growth at every level of your journey.
Reach out today to learn more about a future at Alliant.
Sources:
- “Early Childhood Special Educator (EC Special Educator) Overview.” National Science Teaching Association. https://careers.nsta.org/career/early-childhood-special-educator-ec-spe…. Accessed July 31, 2025.
- “Resource Teacher Overview.” National Science Teaching Association. https://careers.nsta.org/career/resource-teacher. Accessed July 31, 2025.
- “Self-Contained Teacher.” NYC Teaching Collaborative. 2024. https://support.nycteachingcollaborative.org/hc/en-us/articles/44038815…. Accessed July 31, 2025.
- “What is Co-Teaching? An Introduction to Co-Teaching and Inclusion.” CAST Professional Publishing. https://publishing.cast.org/stories-resources/stories/co-teaching-intro…. Accessed July 31, 2025.
- Mojgan Gitimoghaddam, Natalia Chichkine, Laura McArthur, Sarabjit S Sangha, Vivien Symington. “Applied Behavior Analysis in Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Scoping Review.” National Library of Medicine. May 18, 2022. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9458805/. Accessed July 31, 2025.
