Special education teachers, middle school

SOC Code: 25-2057
Also known as:
Blind Teacher, Braille Teacher, Deaf Teacher, DHOH Teacher (Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teacher), Early Intervention Specialist
Median Annual Salary
$64,880
-1.9% growth (2024-2034)
6K
Openings/Year
95K
Current Jobs

What Special education teachers, middle school Do

Teach academic, social, and life skills to middle 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.

💰 Salary

$64,880
Median annual wage (2024)

📈 Job Growth

-1.9%
Decline

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree
Typical entry-level requirement

🚀 Annual Openings

6K
Projected average per year

Employment Projections (2024-2034)

Current Employment (2024)

94,800

Projected Employment (2034)

93,000

Top Skills Required

Active Listening
Speaking
Active Learning
Learning Strategies
Social Perceptiveness

Daily Tasks & Responsibilities

  • Develop or write Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students.
  • Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
  • Develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of handicapping conditions.
  • Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
  • Instruct students in daily living skills required for independent maintenance and self-sufficiency, such as hygiene, safety, and food preparation.
  • Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
  • Coordinate placement of students with special needs into mainstream classes.
  • Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, and professionals to develop individual educational plans (IEPs) for students' educational, physical, and social development.
  • Modify the general education curriculum for students with disabilities, based upon a variety of instructional techniques and instructional technology.
  • Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.

Technology & Tools

Apple macOS Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft SharePoint Microsoft Word

📚 Entry-Level Education

Bachelor's degree
Most common requirement

🎯 Recommended Education

Bachelor's Degree
O*NET recommended level

Degree Programs for Special education teachers, middle school

These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a special education teachers, middle school:

Special Education and Teaching, General

22,116 degrees awarded • 682 colleges offer this program

Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities

1,213 degrees awarded • 27 colleges offer this program

Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism

1,002 degrees awarded • 73 colleges offer this program

Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities

398 degrees awarded • 48 colleges offer this program

Education/Teaching of Individuals with Speech or Language Impairments

273 degrees awarded • 11 colleges offer this program

Education/Teaching of Individuals with Emotional Disturbances

134 degrees awarded • 18 colleges offer this program

Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed

125 degrees awarded • 8 colleges offer this program

Best Colleges for Becoming a Special education teachers, middle school

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become special education teachers, middle school.

# College Location Related Degrees Repit Grade
1 University of Florida Gainesville, FL 143 A
2 Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN 74 A
3 University of Georgia Athens, GA 58 A
4 The College of New Jersey Ewing, NJ 130 B+
5 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL 86 B+
6 Clemson University Clemson, SC 59 B+
7 Florida International University Miami, FL 57 B+
8 Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ 57 B+
9 Ball State University Muncie, IN 1,672 B
10 University of West Florida Pensacola, FL 322 B
11 George Mason University Fairfax, VA 302 B
12 University of West Georgia Carrollton, GA 159 B
13 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS 132 B
14 Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL 112 B
15 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI 111 B
16 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX 111 B
17 Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ 107 B
18 West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA 101 B
19 Western Washington University Bellingham, WA 99 B
20 Touro University New York, NY 98 B

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do special education teachers, middle school make?
The median annual salary for special education teachers, middle school is $64,880.
What education do special education teachers, middle school need?
Most special education teachers, middle school positions require a bachelor's degree. Common degree programs include Special Education and Teaching, General, Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities, Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism.
Is becoming a special education teachers, middle school a good career choice?
Special education teachers, middle school is projected to see -1.9% job growth from 2024 to 2034, which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 6,300 job openings expected annually, there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for special education teachers, middle school?
Top colleges for aspiring special education teachers, middle school include University of Florida, Vanderbilt University, University of Georgia, The College of New Jersey, University of Central Florida. These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to special education teachers, middle school?
Special education teachers, middle school may also be known as: Blind Teacher, Braille Teacher, Deaf Teacher, DHOH Teacher (Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teacher), Early Intervention Specialist, EBD SPED Teacher (Emotional-Behavioral Disabilities Special Education Teacher), ED SPED Teacher (Emotional Disabilities Special Education Teacher), Emotionally Impaired Teacher, Exceptional Children Teacher (EC Teacher), Exceptional Student Education Teacher (ESE Teacher), Handicapped Teacher, Hearing Impaired Teacher (HI Teacher), Inclusion Teacher, Interrelated SPED Teacher (Interrelated Special Education Teacher), Intervention Specialist, Intervention Teacher, Interventionist, Learning Disabilities Special Education Teacher (LD SPED Teacher), Learning Disabilities Teacher (LD Teacher), Learning Disabled Teacher. These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.