The growing use of inclusive school settings, which integrate special education students into general education settings, will also lead to more reliance on special education teachers. The role of these teachers is expanding to include acting as a consultant to general education teachers, in addition to teaching special education students in resource rooms, general education classrooms, and separate classrooms made up entirely of special education students. Earnings Salaries of special education teachers follow the same scale as those for general education teachers. Private school teachers generally earn less than public school teachers. In some schools, teachers receive extra pay for coaching sports and working with students in extracurricular activities.
Some teachers earn extra income during the summer, working in the school system or in other jobs.
Related Occupations Special education teachers work with students who have disabilities and special needs. Other occupations involved with the identification, evaluation, and development of students with disabilities include school psychologists , social workers , speech pathologists , rehabilitation counselors, adapted physical education teachers, special education technology specialists, and occupational , physical , creative arts, and recreational therapists . To learn more about the special education teacher certification and licensing requirements in your State, contact your State's department of education.