Special Education Teachers, Preschool
Teach academic, social, and life skills to preschool-aged 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.
From people doing the work
Every day is a unique challenge and a profound joy. You're constantly adapting, celebrating small victories, and building strong bonds with children and their families. It's demanding but very worthwhile to see a child make progress because of your tailored support.
Drawn from CEC forums, DEC conferences, Online teacher blogs
Attribution: Composite
Composite · Synthesised from CEC forums, DEC conferences, Online teacher blogs
A day in the life of Special Education Teachers, Preschool
- People interaction
- Extensive
- Team vs solo
- 95% Team / 5% Solo
- Client facing
- Sometimes
- Impact visibility
- Moderate
- Travel
- Occasional
- Schedule flexibility
- Flexible
- Remote work
- On-site Only
- Typical work hours
- 40-50
- Stress level
- Moderate
Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary, education and outlook at a glance
- Median salary
- $62,190
- Entry-level
- $37,000
- Senior
- $112,000
- Growth by 2033
- +1.4%
- Demand
- Stable
- Freelance potential
- Moderate
- Salary growth potential
- 203%
- Typical student debt
- Very High
Skills you need as Special Education Teachers, Preschool
Hard skills
- Education and Training
- Complex Problem Solving
- Psychology
Soft skills
- Social Perceptiveness
- Learning Strategies
- Speaking
Technical complexity: Low
Tools of the trade
Core tools
- Individualized Education Program (IEP) Software (Software): Manages and tracks individualized education programs for students with disabilities.
- Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) (Standard): A system for teaching communication through picture exchange, often used with non-verbal children.
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Techniques (Framework): A therapeutic approach to improve socially significant behaviors, widely used in special education.
Commonly used
- Assistive Technology Devices (Hardware): Includes devices like communication boards, adaptive toys, and specialized computer access for students.
- Sensory Integration Tools (Hardware): Equipment and activities designed to help children process sensory information more effectively.
- Developmental Screening Tools (Software): Used to assess a child's developmental progress and identify potential delays.
- Behavior Management Plans (Standard): Structured strategies to address challenging behaviors and promote positive social interactions.
How to become Special Education Teachers, Preschool
- Minimum education
- Bachelor's Degree
- Licensing
- Yes
- Years to mid-career
- 5-8
- Years to senior
- 15-25
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
- Preschool Teacher: Many special education teachers start with general preschool teaching experience before specializing.
- Paraprofessional - Special Education: Experience as a special education paraprofessional provides foundational knowledge and classroom experience.
- Early Childhood Educator: General early childhood education roles can lead to a specialization in special education.
Where you can go from here
- Special Education Teacher, Elementary School: Transitioning to elementary school special education involves working with older children and different curricula.
- Educational Diagnostician: With further training, special education teachers can become diagnosticians, assessing student needs.
- Early Intervention Specialist: Focusing on early intervention involves working with infants and toddlers with developmental delays.
Typical progression
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten
- Special Education Teachers, Preschool
- or Adapted Physical Education Specialists
Special Education Teachers, Preschool job outlook and future demand
- Automation probability
- Low
- AI disruption risk
- Moderate
- Demand trend
- Stable
Job satisfaction as Special Education Teachers, Preschool
- Overall satisfaction
- 7.2/10
- Meaning
- 8.5/10
- Work-life balance
- 7.5/10
- Prestige
- 7.5/10
- Social perception
- High
Where practitioners gather
Professional organisations
- Council for Exceptional Children (CEC): A professional association dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities.
- Division for Early Childhood (DEC): A division of CEC focused on promoting policies and practices that support families and young children with special needs.
Podcasts and media
- Special Education Today: A publication offering news, articles, and resources for special education teachers.
Online communities
- Early Childhood Special Education Network: An online resource and community for early childhood special education professionals.
- Teachers of Young Children with Disabilities: A LinkedIn group for educators working with young children with disabilities to share insights and resources.