They can obtain regular licensure by teaching under the supervision of licensed teachers for a period of 1 to 2 years while taking education courses. Emergency licensure is enacted when States are having difficulty finding licensed special education teachers to fill positions. They may also earn advanced degrees and become instructors in colleges that prepare others for special education teaching. 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.
The majority of special education teachers were employed in elementary, middle, and secondary public schools. Special education teachers have excellent job prospects, as many school districts report shortages of qualified teachers. Job outlook varies by geographic area and specialty. Positions in rural areas and inner cities are more plentiful than job openings in suburban or wealthy urban areas. Recent legislation encouraging early intervention and special education for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers has created a need for early childhood special education teachers.