What Does it Take to Be a Special Education Preschool Teacher?
Special Education Preschool Teacher Example Teach preschool school subjects to educationally and physically handicapped students. Includes 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.
Special Education Preschool Teacher Responsibilities
- Modify the general preschool curriculum for special-needs students.
- Prepare classrooms with a variety of materials or resources for children to explore, manipulate, or use in learning activities or imaginative play.
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Meet with parents or guardians to discuss their children’s progress, advise them on using community resources, or teach skills for dealing with students' impairments.
- Plan and supervise experiential learning activities, such as class projects, field trips, or demonstrations.
- Communicate nonverbally with children to provide them with comfort, encouragement, or positive reinforcement.
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Qualities of a Special Education Preschool Teacher
Below is a list of the skills most Special Education Preschool Teachers say are important on the job.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Types of Special Education Preschool Teacher Jobs
- Mildly Disabled Student Special Education Teacher
- Cross-Categorical Special Education Teacher
- Teacher
- Pre-Kindergarten Special Education Teacher
- Teacher of the Handicapped
What Kind of Special Education Preschool Teacher Job Opportunities Are There?
In the United States, there were 29,200 jobs for Special Education Preschool Teacher in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3,300 new jobs for Special Education Preschool Teacher by 2026. The BLS estimates 2,500 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Special Education Preschool Teacher are Colorado, New Jersey, and Arkansas. Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, Vermont, or South Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Special Education Preschool Teacher
The average yearly salary of a Special Education Preschool Teacher ranges between $34,300 and $100,160.

Special Education Preschool Teachers who work in Oregon, Rhode Island, or New York, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Special Education Preschool Teachers in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $46,580 |
Alaska | $65,500 |
Arizona | $42,830 |
Arkansas | $46,870 |
California | $47,870 |
Colorado | $56,830 |
Connecticut | $68,130 |
Florida | $50,120 |
Georgia | $52,360 |
Illinois | $57,280 |
Indiana | $50,140 |
Iowa | $49,330 |
Kansas | $55,700 |
Kentucky | $53,420 |
Louisiana | $49,480 |
Maine | $36,070 |
Maryland | $61,210 |
Massachusetts | $64,370 |
Michigan | $64,300 |
Minnesota | $62,810 |
Mississippi | $46,590 |
Missouri | $37,510 |
Nebraska | $55,900 |
New Jersey | $66,890 |
New Mexico | $48,710 |
New York | $83,010 |
North Carolina | $50,490 |
North Dakota | $56,640 |
Ohio | $64,790 |
Oklahoma | $41,390 |
Oregon | $75,600 |
Pennsylvania | $54,160 |
Rhode Island | $70,590 |
South Carolina | $48,110 |
South Dakota | $39,910 |
Tennessee | $48,000 |
Texas | $51,010 |
Utah | $48,260 |
Vermont | $62,520 |
Virginia | $66,470 |
Washington | $63,400 |
Wisconsin | $45,780 |
Wyoming | $64,120 |
What Tools & Technology do Special Education Preschool Teachers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Special Education Preschool Teachers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Children’s educational software
- Screen reader software
- Screen magnification software
- Drawing software
- American Sign Language Browser
How do I Become a Special Education Preschool Teacher?
Education needed to be a Special Education Preschool Teacher:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Special Education Preschool Teachers?

Below are examples of industries where Special Education Preschool Teachers work:

References:
Image Credit: woodleywonderworks via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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