We surveyed 4,890 special education teachers to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical special education teacher. Here are the results.
How much intelligence is required as a special education teacher?
Low
High
Working as a special education teacher typically doesn’t require the use of high levels of intelligence in daily tasks.
Can I learn to become a special education teacher?
Intrinsic Talent
Acquired Talent
A career as a special education teacher typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.
Is it easy to get a job as a special education teacher?
Easy
Hard
It’s typically difficult to find a job as a special education teacher. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for special education teachers.
Do special education teachers work full-time or part-time?
85% of special education teachers work in full-time roles while 15% work part-time.
Is being a special education teacher stressful?
Low
High
Stress is very commonplace for special education teachers, contributing negatively towards career satisfaction.
Is being organized important as a special education teacher?
Low
High
Some level of organization is generally required to be a special education teacher.
How competitive is the workplace for special education teachers?
Low
High
Competition at work is not common for special education teachers.
Does being a special education teacher require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?
Low
High
Time pressure tends not to be a major contributor of stress for special education teachers.
Are special education teachers allowed to express themselves creatively?
Low
High
Special education teachers are afforded a certain level of ability to express themselves creatively, compared to other careers.
Do special education teachers have control over the direction of their work?
Low
High
Special education teachers tend to have a set and inflexible work schedule that they are unable to deviate from too much.
Is being a special education teacher physically demanding?
Low
High
Being a special education teacher requires significant physical work, and is not a career for those unable to perform continuous and/or strenuous physical activity.
Are special education teachers exposed to a wide variety of work?
Low
High
The workload of a special education teacher changes frequently, with their day-to-day rarely being the same.
Does being a special education teacher require attention to detail?
Low
High
As in many careers, attention to detail is quite helpful for special education teachers.
Does being a good special education teacher require compassion and empathy?
Low
High
Strong compassion and empathy are critical to success as a special education teacher.