Special Education Teachers, Elementary School
Also known as: Academic Interventionist, APE Teacher (Adapted Physical Education Teacher), Behavior Interventionist (+59 more)
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.
Take our free 15-minute assessment to see how well this career fits YOUR unique profile
What You'll Do
- 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.
Essential Skills
Career Fit Overview
Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.
Top passions
- Helper: Supporting people and making a difference matters to you.
- Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
- Artist: Creating original work and expressing ideas feels natural.
Common styles
Integrity, Dependability, Concern for Others, Cooperation, Initiative
Want a personal read on fit. Take the free assessment and see your exact compatibility with this career and many related roles.
Key Abilities
This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:
Technologies & Tools
Work Environment & Style
Common Styles for This Career
- Integrity (High importance: 4.98/5)
- Dependability (High importance: 4.94/5)
- Concern for Others (High importance: 4.89/5)
- Cooperation (High importance: 4.88/5)
- Initiative (High importance: 4.88/5)
Want to see how YOUR work style matches this career?
Take Free 15-Min Assessment →How to Become One
Most employers require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Some positions may also require experience through internships, co-ops, or entry-level work to strengthen your candidacy.
Similar Careers to Explore
Special Education Teachers, Middle School
100.0% similar profile
Special Education Teachers, Preschool
99.9% similar profile
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten
99.9% similar profile
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
99.9% similar profile
Tutors
99.9% similar profile
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School
99.7% similar profile
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
99.6% similar profile
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
99.6% similar profile
Also Known As
This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:
Ready to Discover Your Perfect Career?
Our scientific assessment measures your styles, passions, and drivers to match you with careers where you'll thrive.
Take Free Assessment (15 min) →