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Special Education Teacher - How to get into this job

Kaiako Mātauranga Whakahirahira

Entry Requirements

Special education teacher (primary/secondary)

To become a special education teacher of primary or secondary-aged children in mainstream or special schools, you need to train as a primary or secondary teacher by doing one of the following:
  • a three-year Bachelor of Education (Teaching) or equivalent
  • a degree and a one-year Graduate Diploma of Teaching
  • a combined specialist degree and secondary teaching qualification.

Resource and specialist teachers

To become a qualified resource or specialist teacher, you need to be a primary or secondary teacher and complete one of the following graduate qualifications:
  • Resource Teachers (Learning and Behaviour) – Graduate or Postgraduate Diploma in Education (special needs resource teaching).
  • Resource Teacher (Vision) – Graduate Diploma in Special Education with a specialisation in visual impairment.
  • Resource Teacher of the Deaf – Graduate Diploma in Special Education with a specialisation in hearing impairment.
  • Specialist Teacher – Graduate Diploma in Special Education (specialising in students with special educational needs) or Bachelor of Special Education.

Early intervention teachers

To become an early intervention teacher working with preschool children, you need an early childhood teacher qualification and a Postgraduate Diploma in Special Education with a specialisation in early intervention.

Special education study awards available for specialist teachers

Study awards provide financial support for teachers who wish to train as specialist early intervention teachers or resource and specialist teachers. Most awards include payment of course fees, a contribution to the school for the teacher's salary while they are studying and a contribution to travel and accommodation.

The number of awards available each year is closely associated with the average number of vacancies in each specialist workforce.

 

Secondary Education

A tertiary entrance qualification is required to become a special education teacher.

 

Get help with choosing school subjects

Relevant courses

Training on the job

Practical teaching experience is gained on the job. Special education teachers can attend courses related to their special education interest area, and may also attend professional development courses.

 

Anne Askey

"There are many opportunities for professional development: distance learning, one-off seminars and conferences. You can use these events to increase your knowledge and spark your creativity."

Anne Askey - Special Education Teacher

 

Registration

First-year teachers must become provisionally registered with the New Zealand Teachers Council and gain full registration after two years of satisfactory work as a teacher.

On becoming fully registered you will be issued with a practising certificate, which must be renewed every three years.

NZ Teachers Council website - information on registering as a teacher

 

Useful Experience

Useful experience for special education teachers includes:
  • personal or work experience with people with disabilities or learning difficulties
  • teaching experience
  • counselling, social work or voluntary work with people
  • working with children on a holiday programme
  • childcare work.

 

Previous page - Personal requirements
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Updated September 2009
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