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Special Education Teacher - Personal requirements

Kaiako Mātauranga Whakahirahira

Skills & knowledge

Special education teachers need to have:

teaching skills, and knowledge of different teaching methods and learning styles
knowledge of different types of disabilities, such as learning, physical and intellectual
knowledge of the curriculum and how to adapt it to suit students' needs
skill in evaluating students' progress
communication skills, and the ability to relate well to students and adults
classroom management skills, including an understanding of behaviour management
understanding of child learning and development, including learning difficulties and how to identify them
knowledge of school rules and procedures, including safety and emergency procedures
knowledge of how to access services that provide support and help to teachers
understanding of a range of cultures
research skills
organisational and problem-solving skills
first aid skills.

Student looking at Fiona laughing as she looks at book.

Special education teachers need to be able to relate well to students

Fiona Rowse evaluating a student's reading ability

Personal Qualities

Special education teachers need to be:

supportive, positive and friendly
able to work well under pressure
patient, helpful and good at listening
confident and flexible
enthusiastic, creative and open-minded
able to relate to people from a range of cultures and backgrounds
able to work well within a team.

"You can become a counsellor, as well as a good friend, teacher and a second mum. I have had a lot of students that I've met along the way and still maintain good contact with."

Jan Miller - Itinerant Teacher of the Deaf