The first step to becoming a special education teacher is to earn a bachelor's degree in special education or a related field, such as elementary education or early childhood education. During your undergraduate studies, you will take courses in child development, learning disabilities, and teaching methods for students with disabilities. You will also complete fieldwork experiences in special education classrooms.
Professional Preparation Program
After completing your bachelor's degree, you will need to complete a professional preparation program in special education. These programs are typically one to two years long and include coursework, fieldwork experiences, and student teaching. The coursework will cover a variety of topics, including assessment, curriculum development, differentiated instruction, and behavior management.
Student Teaching
As part of your professional preparation program, you will complete a student teaching experience in a special education classroom. During this experience, you will work under the supervision of a certified special education teacher and gain hands-on experience teaching students with disabilities.
Licensure
In order to teach special education, you will need to obtain a license from the state in which you wish to work. The requirements for licensure vary from state to state, but typically include passing a content exam and a pedagogy exam.
Continuing Education
Special education teachers are required to complete continuing education credits in order to maintain their licenses. These credits can be earned through taking courses, attending workshops, or participating in professional development activities.
In addition to the above requirements, some states may also require special education teachers to have a master's degree or advanced certification. If you are interested in becoming a special education teacher, it is important to research the requirements in your state.