Becoming a Special Education Teacher via Online Education?
At the very least, online education can help you lay a foundation and/or open up alternate career paths.
Liberty University Online, one of the highest ranking online
schools,
is a US school (accredited) offering special education courses to train individuals
to become top-notch
special education teachers,
special education educators,
special educators,
sign language interpreters,
teacher of the speech and hearing handicappeds, etc.
Currently, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics there are 146,240 people employed as
special education teachers, secondary school alone in America, and their average annual salary is
$56,420.
Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school make on average $53,770
per year and there are about 228,580
of them employed today.
Colleges and universities like Liberty University Online that provide online education are successfully launching workers into
this
field.
Typical Work Locations for a Special Education Teacher
- a high school
- at home
- a university
- an elementary school
- in a special education class room
- in a park
- in a gymnasium
- in a special school
- in a stadium
- on a field
Potential Advantages and Benefits of Working as a Special Education Teacher
- work with children
- play with children
- play and take personal care of children
- work satisfaction
- work with peace of mind
- help children to understand things
- teach special children
- training life skills
- work the whole day
- provide individual needs
Potential Drawbacks
- feelings of isolation
- lack of administrative support
- too little time with students
- increasing demands
- attend many meetings
- completion of homework
- lack of knowledge about a given subject
- high expectations of being a tutor
- impact of school budget
- lack of training with the students
Related Professions to Consider
- Assistant Professor in Special Education
- Health Professions Admissions Counselor
- Mentor Teacher
- Special Education Teacher
- ABA Teachers & Certified Special Education Teacher
- Adaptive Physical Education Teacher
- Learning Specialist - Hunter College Campus Schools High School Teacher
- Teacher Aid
- Head Teacher
- Art Teacher
Possible Interview Questions When Applying to be a Special Education Teacher
- Why do you want to be a teacher?
- What type of assessments have you used?
- What are your views on inclusion and remediation?
- What are some of the timelines related to IEPs?
- How have you supported students on IEPs in the regular classroom?
- Describe a student with a challenging learning disability and how you supported him/her?
- What special skills or talents will you bring to our classroom?
- What are your professional goals Where do you want to be in five years?
- If I were interviewing your students what would they say about you?
- What is your philosophy of teaching?
Common Collaborating Professions
- Master Middle School Special Education Teacher
- Elementary School/Middle School Special Education Teacher
- High School Special Education Teacher
- Middle School Special Education Teacher
- 1st Grade Special Education Teacher
- Kindergarten Special Education Teacher
- Special Education Coordinator
- Preschool Special Education Speech/Language
- Special Educator
- Special Education Lead Teacher
Special Education Teacher Training books
Special Education Teacher (More) Popular books
Potential Companies to Work For
Common College Majors
- Special Education
- Educational Specialist
- Special Education
- K-12 Leadership
- Special Education Teaching
- Special Education Leadership
- Teaching For Special Needs
- Distance Education Policy and Management Specialization
- Distance Education Teaching and Training Specialization
- Technology Management Distance Education and Technology Specialization
Special Education Teacher Salary Information
Category: Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school
| Total # Employed in the US |
228,580 |
| Average Yearly Salary |
$53,770 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $34,010 |
$41,210 |
$50,950 |
$64,350 |
$79,850 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 0.4% |
4.6% |
5.9% |
3.8% |
38.3% |
44.9% |
2.1% |
|
Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Alabama |
-
|
$47,750
|
| Alaska |
-
|
$70,320
|
| Arkansas |
-
|
$40,950
|
| California |
-
|
$43,080
|
| Colorado |
-
|
$63,440
|
| Connecticut |
-
|
$50,700
|
| Delaware |
-
|
$68,120
|
| District of Columbia |
-
|
$48,610
|
| Florida |
-
|
$48,770
|
| Hawaii |
-
|
$51,810
|
| Idaho |
-
|
$51,550
|
| Indiana |
-
|
$49,110
|
| Iowa |
-
|
$43,460
|
| Kansas |
-
|
$52,870
|
| Kentucky |
-
|
$48,030
|
| Louisiana |
-
|
$44,000
|
| Maine |
-
|
$46,070
|
| Maryland |
-
|
$47,400
|
| Massachusetts |
-
|
$46,200
|
| Michigan |
-
|
$43,720
|
| Mississippi |
-
|
$61,120
|
| Missouri |
-
|
$56,360
|
| Montana |
-
|
$56,830
|
| Nebraska |
-
|
$51,760
|
| Nevada |
-
|
$44,570
|
| New Hampshire |
-
|
$44,800
|
| New Jersey |
-
|
$37,960
|
| New Mexico |
-
|
$43,390
|
| New York |
-
|
$49,800
|
| North Carolina |
-
|
$47,920
|
| North Dakota |
-
|
$60,100
|
| Ohio |
-
|
$52,050
|
| Oklahoma |
-
|
$66,460
|
| Oregon |
-
|
$44,680
|
| Pennsylvania |
-
|
$44,640
|
| South Carolina |
-
|
$49,900
|
| South Dakota |
-
|
$44,740
|
| Tennessee |
-
|
$50,330
|
| Utah |
-
|
$54,160
|
| Virginia |
-
|
$65,550
|
| Washington |
-
|
$44,990
|
| West Virginia |
-
|
$37,880
|
| Wisconsin |
-
|
$45,660
|
| Wyoming |
-
|
$49,130
|
| Guam |
-
|
$45,570
|
| Puerto Rico |
-
|
$51,810
|
Category: Special education teachers, middle school
| Total # Employed in the US |
102,490 |
| Average Yearly Salary |
$54,750 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $35,690 |
$42,690 |
$51,970 |
$64,740 |
$79,820 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 0.4% |
4.6% |
5.9% |
3.8% |
38.3% |
44.9% |
2.1% |
|
Special education teachers, middle school — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Alabama |
-
|
$48,070
|
| Alaska |
-
|
$66,730
|
| Arkansas |
-
|
$41,940
|
| California |
-
|
$46,510
|
| Colorado |
-
|
$65,140
|
| Connecticut |
-
|
$51,290
|
| Delaware |
-
|
$66,990
|
| District of Columbia |
-
|
$54,110
|
| Florida |
-
|
$49,560
|
| Hawaii |
-
|
$52,000
|
| Idaho |
-
|
$50,900
|
| Iowa |
-
|
$44,500
|
| Kansas |
-
|
$55,060
|
| Kentucky |
-
|
$50,450
|
| Louisiana |
-
|
$44,260
|
| Maine |
-
|
$45,790
|
| Maryland |
-
|
$47,970
|
| Massachusetts |
-
|
$47,630
|
| Michigan |
-
|
$44,960
|
| Mississippi |
-
|
$62,960
|
| Missouri |
-
|
$59,600
|
| Montana |
-
|
$56,540
|
| Nebraska |
-
|
$52,640
|
| Nevada |
-
|
$44,030
|
| New Hampshire |
-
|
$47,280
|
| New Jersey |
-
|
$36,620
|
| New Mexico |
-
|
$45,520
|
| New York |
-
|
$52,220
|
| North Carolina |
-
|
$50,310
|
| North Dakota |
-
|
$59,820
|
| Ohio |
-
|
$55,960
|
| Oklahoma |
-
|
$65,890
|
| Oregon |
-
|
$43,380
|
| South Carolina |
-
|
$50,280
|
| South Dakota |
-
|
$42,810
|
| Tennessee |
-
|
$49,330
|
| Utah |
-
|
$59,990
|
| Virginia |
-
|
$66,990
|
| Washington |
-
|
$47,610
|
| West Virginia |
-
|
$38,540
|
| Wisconsin |
-
|
$46,870
|
| Wyoming |
-
|
$49,860
|
| Guam |
-
|
$47,980
|
| Puerto Rico |
-
|
$54,790
|
Category: Special education teachers, secondary school
| Total # Employed in the US |
146,240 |
| Average Yearly Salary |
$56,420 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $35,840 |
$43,060 |
$52,900 |
$67,440 |
$83,590 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 0.4% |
4.6% |
5.9% |
3.8% |
38.3% |
44.9% |
2.1% |
|
Special education teachers, secondary school — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Alabama |
-
|
$48,370
|
| Alaska |
-
|
$65,940
|
| Arkansas |
-
|
$47,710
|
| California |
-
|
$46,900
|
| Colorado |
-
|
$67,390
|
| Connecticut |
-
|
$52,350
|
| Delaware |
-
|
$71,670
|
| District of Columbia |
-
|
$57,370
|
| Florida |
-
|
$48,660
|
| Hawaii |
-
|
$52,550
|
| Idaho |
-
|
$54,540
|
| Iowa |
-
|
$42,630
|
| Kansas |
-
|
$60,320
|
| Kentucky |
-
|
$49,430
|
| Louisiana |
-
|
$42,050
|
| Maine |
-
|
$47,910
|
| Maryland |
-
|
$48,770
|
| Massachusetts |
-
|
$46,290
|
| Michigan |
-
|
$44,830
|
| Mississippi |
-
|
$62,370
|
| Missouri |
-
|
$59,000
|
| Montana |
-
|
$53,770
|
| Nebraska |
-
|
$54,370
|
| Nevada |
-
|
$43,410
|
| New Hampshire |
-
|
$49,000
|
| New Jersey |
-
|
$40,950
|
| New Mexico |
-
|
$46,060
|
| New York |
-
|
$50,440
|
| North Carolina |
-
|
$52,200
|
| North Dakota |
-
|
$66,790
|
| Ohio |
-
|
$52,080
|
| Oklahoma |
-
|
$70,010
|
| Oregon |
-
|
$44,750
|
| Pennsylvania |
-
|
$44,950
|
| South Carolina |
-
|
$53,800
|
| South Dakota |
-
|
$44,630
|
| Tennessee |
-
|
$52,590
|
| Utah |
-
|
$57,020
|
| Virginia |
-
|
$68,930
|
| Washington |
-
|
$47,410
|
| West Virginia |
-
|
$38,100
|
| Wisconsin |
-
|
$45,710
|
| Wyoming |
-
|
$50,920
|
| Guam |
-
|
$44,610
|
| Puerto Rico |
-
|
$57,820
|
