Use this template for special education teachers in resource, inclusion, self-contained and life skills settings. Special education is the most commonly reported teacher shortage area in the country, and federal law requires full certification, so precise requirements matter.
Job summary
The special education teacher at [Campus name] serves students with disabilities in a [resource / inclusion / self-contained / life skills] setting for [grade levels]. The teacher develops and carries out individualized education programs (IEPs), provides specially designed instruction, and works with general education teachers, related service providers and families.
Duties and responsibilities
- Develop, carry out and monitor IEPs, including present levels, measurable goals and progress reports.
- Provide specially designed instruction and accommodations in [setting].
- Co-teach and consult with general education teachers on accommodations and modifications.
- Lead or take part in admission, review and dismissal (ARD) committee meetings.
- Collect and analyze progress-monitoring data.
- Supervise and direct paraprofessionals assigned to the classroom.
- Communicate with families about progress and services.
- Maintain special education records and timelines in compliance with state and federal rules.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree.
- Full state special education certification, as described below.
Preferred
- Experience in [setting or disability category, for example autism or behavior support].
- Bilingual special education certification.
- Training in [crisis prevention, structured literacy or a specific program].
Certification and requirements
- Full certification under federal law. IDEA requires special education teachers to hold full state certification, with no emergency, temporary or provisional waiver, and at least a bachelor's degree. Teachers in an approved alternate-route program count as qualified for up to three years (34 CFR §300.156).
- State certificate name. Use your state's current name for the special education license, and check it each year, since names change.
- Background check under your state's rules.
Texas requirements
- Two certificate names. TEA launched the Special Education Specialist EC-12 certificate (opens in a new tab) in September 2025. Accept "Special Education Specialist: EC-12" and "Special Education: EC-12," plus Special Education Supplemental and specialized certificates (such as visual impairment or deaf and hard of hearing) where the assignment allows (19 TAC §231.701).
- Content match. A teacher of record who assigns grades also needs a certificate matching the subject and grade, or a completed content competency worksheet.
- Background check through SBEC.
Schedule, pay and terms
- Contract: [probationary / term] contract on the teacher salary schedule.
- Pay: $[amount or range], plus a special education stipend of $[amount].
- Caseload: about [number] students.
- Start date: [date].
How to adapt this description
- Name the setting and caseload. They matter more to special education candidates than almost anything else.
- List the support staff and paraprofessionals in the classroom.
- State the special education stipend in dollars.