Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten
Special education teachers in kindergarten instruct students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities in academic, social, and life skills. They work in public and private schools, often in specialized classrooms or resource rooms, teaching students who are blind or have visual impairments, deaf or have hearing impairments, or have intellectual disabilities.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against special education teachers, kindergarten and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical week includes planning individualized education programs (IEPs) tailored to each student's needs, delivering small-group and one-on-one instruction in reading and math, and teaching self-care and social skills. Teachers assess student progress through observation and formal testing, communicate with parents and school staff, adapt materials for different learning styles, and manage classroom behavior. Time is divided between direct instruction, paperwork, and collaboration with special education specialists.
Who this work suits
Holland code SIC. Social work is helping, teaching and working closely with people. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You likely enjoy working directly with people and solving individual problems—traits that draw you to this work. You're comfortable investigating why a student struggles with a particular skill and adjusting your approach, and you find satisfaction in helping young children build foundational abilities despite significant challenges.
What it takes
Preparation: Considerable preparation (most need a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience).
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- Teacher (Special Education) · Bureau of Indian Education · Eagle Butte, South Dakota · $36.23–$72.13
- Teacher (Special Education) · Bureau of Indian Education · Kaibito, Arizona · $36.23–$72.13
- Teacher (Special Education) (Special Education Teacher) · Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System · Aliceville, Alabama · $57765–$83131
- Teacher (Special Education) · Bureau of Indian Education · Aneth, Utah · $36.23–$72.13
- Transitional Teacher (Special Education) · Bureau of Indian Education · Aneth, Utah · $36.23–$64.52
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Certifications people in this field hold
- DoDEA Certification — Department of Defense Education Activity
- National Interpreter Certification (NIC) — Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
- Certified Adapted Physical Educator (CAPE) — The National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities
- Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) — Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
- National Board Certification - Early Childhood through Young Adulthood - Exceptional Needs Specialist — National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against special education teachers, kindergarten and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 25-2055.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.