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Special Education Teachers, Preschool - 25-2051.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Teach academic, social, and life skills to preschool-aged students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

Early Childhood Special Education Teacher (ECSE Teacher)
Early Intervention Teacher
Exceptional Student Education Teacher (ESE Teacher)
Handicapped Teacher
Preschool Special Education Teacher

Resource Teacher
Severe/Profound Mental Handicaps Special Education Teacher
Special Education Resource Teacher
Special Education Teacher
Teacher

SOC Occupation Groups

25-0000	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
25-2000	Preschool, Elementary, Middle, Secondary, and Special Education Teachers
25-2050	Special Education Teachers
25-2051.00	Special Education Teachers, Preschool

Related Occupations

25-2011.00	Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
25-2012.00	Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
25-2021.00	Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
25-2055.00	Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten
25-2056.00	Special Education Teachers, Elementary School
25-2057.00	Special Education Teachers, Middle School
25-2058.00	Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
25-2059.01	Adapted Physical Education Specialists
25-3011.00	Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors
25-9043.00	Teaching Assistants, Special Education

Tasks

Administer tests to help determine children's developmental levels, needs, or potential.
Arrange indoor or outdoor space to facilitate creative play, motor-skill activities, or safety.
Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, or teacher training workshops to maintain or improve professional competence.
Attend to children's basic needs by feeding them, dressing them, or changing their diapers.
Collaborate with other teachers or administrators to develop, evaluate, or revise preschool programs.
Communicate nonverbally with children to provide them with comfort, encouragement, or positive reinforcement.
Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, or other professionals to develop individual education plans (IEPs).
Confer with parents, guardians, teachers, counselors, or administrators to resolve students' behavioral or academic problems.
Control the inventory or distribution of classroom equipment, materials, or supplies.
Coordinate placement of students with special needs into mainstream classes.
Develop individual educational plans (IEPs) designed to promote students' educational, physical, or social development.
Develop or implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of disabilities.
Employ special educational strategies or techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, or memory.
Encourage students to explore learning opportunities or persevere with challenging tasks to prepare them for later grades.
Establish and communicate clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects to students, parents, or guardians.
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment or materials to prevent injuries and damage.
Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, or administrative regulations.
Meet with parents or guardians to discuss their children's progress, advise them on using community resources, or teach skills for dealing with students' impairments.
Modify the general preschool curriculum for special-needs students.
Monitor teachers or teacher assistants to ensure adherence to special education program requirements.
Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
Organize and display students' work in a manner appropriate for their perceptual skills.
Organize and supervise games or other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, or social development.
Plan and supervise experiential learning activities, such as class projects, field trips, or demonstrations.
Prepare assignments for teacher assistants or volunteers.
Prepare classrooms with a variety of materials or resources for children to explore, manipulate, or use in learning activities or imaginative play.
Prepare objectives, outlines, or other materials for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements.
Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
Present information in audio-visual or interactive formats, using computers, television, audio-visual aids, or other equipment, materials, or technologies.
Provide assistive devices, supportive technology, or assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
Read books to entire classes or to small groups.
Serve meals or snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines.
Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, or social skills, to preschool students with special needs.
Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification or positive reinforcement.
Teach students personal development skills, such as goal setting, independence, or self-advocacy.

Detailed Work Activities

Administer tests to assess educational needs or progress.
Assist students with special educational needs.
Attend training sessions or professional meetings to develop or maintain professional knowledge.
Collaborate with other teaching professionals to develop educational programs.
Create technology-based learning materials.
Develop instructional materials.
Develop instructional objectives.
Develop strategies or programs for students with special needs.
Direct activities of subordinates.
Discuss problems or issues with supervisors.
Discuss student progress with parents or guardians.
Display student work.
Distribute instructional or library materials.
Encourage students.
Establish rules or policies governing student behavior.
Evaluate student work.
Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
Maintain student records.
Modify teaching methods or materials to accommodate student needs.
Monitor student behavior, social development, or health.
Monitor student performance.
Plan educational activities.
Plan experiential learning activities.
Prepare reports detailing student activities or performance.
Provide for basic needs of children.
Read to students.
Set up classroom materials or equipment.
Teach life skills.
Teach others to use technology or equipment.