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Overview of Special Needs Teaching
Special needs teachers are responsible for the education of children with learning or intellectual difficulties at the preschool, primary or secondary level of schooling. They are responsible for not only teaching academic and practical skills to children, but also assessing and meeting the needs of each child.
Special needs teaching is a challenging but hugely rewarding job within education but you must be qualified to a tertiary level for this career. |
Studying Special Needs Teaching
Special needs teachers must have a tertiary-level qualification. Study options include undertaking an undergraduate degree with a focus on special education for three or four years duration, or an undergraduate degree followed by postgraduate certification in special needs education.
Most education courses offer both theoretical and practical training, with an element of the course involving teaching at a real classroom under supervision.
Careers in Special Needs Teaching
Special needs teachers are responsible for not only teaching academic and practical skills to children, but also assessing and meeting the needs of each child. Other duties include helping children with tasks like feeding and toileting, as well as promoting health and safety concepts.
Special needs teachers can work either in mainstream schools in a special faculty such as an educational support unit, or in special schools which are wholly focused on the needs of educationally challenged children. Where possible, special education teachers work to integrate children with disabilities into mainstream classes.
Demand for special teachers is high, and will continue to increase as more schools provide this service, and wages vary depending on the job.
Skills needed in Special Needs Teaching
Working in special education requires a great deal of patience and tact, especially with children with severe learning disabilities. Creativity and good communication skills when teaching new concepts are also important.
More information
Education, Child Care & Training
Early Childhood Teaching
Primary Teaching
School Principal
Secondary Teaching
Vocational Teaching