resume examples special education teacher

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3 Special Education Teacher Resume Examples for 2024

Special Education Teacher

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Special Education Teacher Resume

Clean special education teacher resume, modern special education teacher resume.

• Special Education Teacher Resume Writing 101

You’re a passionate teacher dedicated to providing specialized education to children facing a range of disabilities. Whether you work in a dedicated special education school or child care center, it’s a challenging, yet ultimately rewarding job.

It takes a special set of skills to develop teaching plans suited to the wide range of students’ learning needs and often requires working with psychologists, counselors, therapists, and others. Not sure how to translate all your skills and experience into an attention-grabbing resume ? You’re in the right place.

After years of helping special ed teachers land jobs, we’re here to help you get your next interview with these three sample special education teacher resume templates and advice!

or download as PDF

Related resume examples

• High school teacher
• English teacher
• Middle school teacher
• Social science teacher

What Matters Most: Skills & Work Experience

What’ll make you stand out when applying for a special education teaching role are your skills. After all, recruiters and schools want to see that you have the experience necessary for the role.

A special education teacher requires a lot of soft skills, but it’s best to provide a mix of more unique soft skills like behavioral analysis, and hard skills like Microsoft Office.

Other soft skills like verbal communication or empathy can be woven in your work experience. While they are crucial for a special education teacher to have, they take up valuable space on your resume. Stick to the ones that can help you stand out in your skills section !

9 most popular special education teacher skills

• Autism awareness
• Dyslexia awareness
• Google Suite
• Crisis intervention
• Case management
• CPR/First Aid

Sample special education teacher work experience bullet points

Once you’ve cleared the skills section, you need to show your impact. It might sound tricky, but it’s actually easier than you think!

What you want to do is show recruiters how your skills and expertise have helped bring about a positive benefit in the workplace. Basically, you want to answer this question: how did I make a difference?

You want to also use quantifiable metrics whenever possible, combined with action verbs to show ownership. By doing so, you’ll stand out from most of the other special education teacher apps.

Here are some examples:

• Taught reading, writing, and general language comprehension utilizing PAF (Preventing Academic Failure) to 20 students with dyslexia
• Addressed systemic disciplinary problems together with teachers, school counselors, and administrators, reducing disciplinary incidents by 15%
• Taught 17 students with emotional disabilities using inquiry-based teaching methods, increasing material comprehension by 45%
• Dedicated an additional 4 hours per week to provide personalized, in-depth feedback on test grades, improving statewide exam scores by an average of 14%

Top 5 Tips for Your Special Education Teacher Resume

• This is worth mentioning again, trust us. You want to use your work experience to take ownership and show the kind of impact you provided throughout your career. It’s the best way to bring your special ed teacher resume to life!
• While you should always include the relevant Bachelor’s degree and state-issued certification or license (if required), it’s also a good idea to include other certifications, like first aid or CPR. This can further cement that you have well-rounded expertise and can help provide the winning edge.
• It’s generally expected that a special education teacher has experience in empathy or collaboration. Don’t include those soft skills in your bullet point skills list. Instead, put ones that further show your unique expertise, like behavior redirection.
• Don’t make your special education teaching resume a nightmare to get through. Like our example resumes , have lots of white space, a clean font, and simple text bullet points. Remember, a good first impression counts!
• Your resume shouldn’t be longer than a page. The more jobs you’ve had, the shorter your educational experience should be. If you’re earlier on in your career, focus on projects or internships, but don’t wax poetic and stretch it out. Save the rest for the interview!

How to Write a Special Education Teacher Resume

Much like children themselves, the world of special needs education is ever-changing, so make sure to put your most recent work experience first when you fill out your resume. Using the reverse-chronological format lets you discuss the methods you use in your daily work and show potential employers the kind of childcare and education you’re best prepared to provide.

Whether you’re a new teacher or you’ve got a career that spans many years, using an objective or summary can be a useful tool. For a summary statement , mention a couple of your key skills that align with the job description and a career-defining achievement in special education. In an objective , focus on how you want to grow as an educator and how you can apply your natural abilities to help children with special needs thrive. Pro tip: In both cases, always mention the school you want to work for by name.

Nothing tells a story as well as your greatest achievements, and those will often be centered around the development of your students. Instead of describing your daily tasks, focus on these accomplishments. Mention how your individualized lesson plans helped students grow and how you’ve worked hard to accommodate various disabilities in the classroom.

It’s one thing to say that you’ve worked with kids, but when you say that you “Taught 8 special education students using inquiry-based teaching methods, increasing material comprehension by 46%,” the impact of your work becomes so much clearer. Talk about how many students you’ve had in your classrooms, the disabilities you specialize in, and the educational growth you were able to assist with

Make sure to choose a resume template that gives you the space to add extra certifications. These credentials will go a long way in expressing the breadth of your experience. Display your mandatory State Teaching Certification in Special Education, but also extra certificates like the BCBA, ABA, or the ATP.

Yes you should! This doesn’t have to be a lot, but make sure that you reference any hard or soft skills in your resume that the description asks for. If there’s a relevant task or project that aligns with what they’re looking for, make sure to highlight it. That’s all!

If you’ve been a special ed teacher for more than a few years, you can include a brief summary highlighting your unique expertise. If you’re earlier on in your career, you can include a short objective . In both cases, only do it if it’s 100 percent customized to the position and adds value. For example, consider mentioning how you see yourself fitting in at that specific school/care center and what your experience would bring. Otherwise, skip it!

Absolutely! No need to sweat it. If you’ve showcased your impact, included your contact info, and added your skills, you should be good to go. Don’t add fluff to pad your word count.

Special Education Teacher Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

• Resume Examples
• Resume Text Examples

How To Write a Special Education Teacher Resume

• Entry-level
• Senior-level

Special Education Teacher Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

Jane Larson (123) 456-7890 [email protected] 123 Your Street, Los Angeles, CA

A Special Education Teacher with entry-level experience specializing in curriculum development, classroom management, IEPs, and lesson planning. A strong background in building relationships with students to aid academic and personal growth.

Professional Experience

Special Education Teacher, South Los Angeles Elementary, Los Angeles, CA September 2021 – Present

• Develop lesson plans and deliver instruction in alignment with IEPs for students ranging from kindergarten through 5th grade
• Collaborate with ABA therapy, physical, occupational, and speech therapy personnel
• Coordinate evaluation schedules with parents, speech pathologists, classroom teachers, and occupational therapists
• Track, monitor, and evaluate student performance and tailor lesson plans to individual strengths and weaknesses to improve academic performance

Student Teaching Internship, Sunnyvale Elementary, Sunnyvale, CA May 2021 – August 2021

• Supported special education teachers in the implementation of lesson plans during individual and small group interventions
• Coordinated with teachers to evaluate individual education plans for students with cognitive and emotional learning disabilities
• Graded assignments, analyzed student academic performance, and recommended changes to lesson plans based on student learning needs

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Special Education University of Los Angeles, September 2017 – May 2021

• Classroom Management
• Team Leadership
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
• Relationship Building

Certifications

• Special Education Certification (K-8), State of California, 2021

Joshua Gordon (123) 456-7890 [email protected] 123 Your Street, Philadelphia, PA 12345

A Special Education Teacher with five years of experience specializing in autism, behavioral analysis, child psychology, and elementary education. A proven track record of coordinating with multidisciplinary education teams to develop and refine curriculum for special education students. Adept at delivering instruction in individual and small group settings.

Special Education Teacher, Chester Charter, Chester, PA September 2018 – Present

• Provide small group and individual instruction to students ranging from third grade to eighth grade, develop individualized education plans (IEPs), and monitor student progress
• Implement, plan, and deliver research-based interventions for students with autism spectrum disorders, dyslexia, and behavioral disorders
• Coordinate with psychologists, parents, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure safe learning environments and identify appropriate resources for students
• Deliver training and mentorship to 10+ student teachers completing internships to drive professional development and enhance teaching capabilities

Special Education Teacher, North Philadelphia Elementary, Philadelphia, PA September 2016 – September 2018

• Develop individualized service plans (ISPs) for children with cognitive, learning, and emotional disorders and fostered a positive and empathetic learning environment
• Collaborate with classroom teachers and academic teams to develop and enhance the curriculum to improve education outcomes for students

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Special Education Temple University, Philadelphia, PA September 2012 – May 2016

• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Early Childhood Education
• Curriculum Development
• Behavioral Disorders
• Individualized Service Plans (ISPs)
• Special Education Certification (K-8), State of Pennsylvania, 2016

Anna Johnson (123) 456-7890 [email protected] 123 Your Street, Austin, TX 12345

A Special Education Teacher with 10+ years of experience, specializing in curriculum development, ISP interventions, and program management. A strong history of building and managing multidisciplinary teams to deliver quality education to diverse student populations. Adept at leading the development of education programs to drive student success.

Lead Special Education Teacher, Austin West Elementary, Austin, TX September 2016 – Present

• Oversee the development of special education curriculum for students with mental and physical disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and hearing impairments
• Manage a team of seven special education teachers, analyze student progress, evaluated teaching performance, and provide coaching and mentorship
• Support the transition to E-learning environments during Covid-19 and coordinate with teachers and parents to implement Zoom classroom instruction
• Build learning environments centered on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to facilitate a safe learning experience that encapsulates cultural awareness

Special Education Teacher, Austin County Elementary, Austin TX September 2011 – September 2016

• Provided special education instruction to small groups of students with learning disorders, which included tailoring curriculum based on student needs and performance
• Created individualized education plans (IEPs) and communicated with parents and psychologists to resolve conflicts and crises

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Special Education University of Austin, Austin, TX September 2007 – May 2011

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
• Special Education
• Program Management
• Special Education Certification (K-8), State of Texas, 2021

A resume for a special education teacher should focus on your background in traditional education methods and highlight your special education skills, such as developing individualized education plans (IEPs). Find out how to create a cohesive document that outlines your qualifications and can help you get your next job.

1. Craft an outstanding profile with a summary of your special education teacher qualifications

Hiring managers are looking for special education teachers with a specific skill set, and your profile needs to be rich with relevant keywords. Include any specializations you have, such as the autism spectrum, behavioral analysis, or child psychology.

Don’t forget to include other basics, such as your years of experience or the types of environments you’ve worked in. Keep this section short — a few sentences should be enough to pique the hiring manager’s interest.

Senior-Level Profile Example

Entry-level profile example, 2. create a powerful list of your special education teacher experience.

The hiring manager will learn the most about you in this section and decide if your experience aligns with the role’s responsibilities. Vary what you include in the job duties and responsibilities bullets, even if you’ve held similar positions.

For example, if you worked as a special education teacher at two different schools, you could focus one of them on classroom management, lesson planning, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. The other could highlight your experience with research-based interventions for students with learning disabilities or behavior disorders.

Senior-Level Professional Experience Example

Lead Special Education Teacher, Austin West Elementary, Austin, TX

September 2016 – Present

Entry-Level Professional Experience Example

Special Education Teacher, South Los Angeles Elementary, Los Angeles, CA

September 2021 – Present

3. Include your special education teacher education and certifications

Most positions for special education teachers require at least a bachelor’s degree, with a master’s degree preferred. A degree in special education can give you an edge over applicants who only have traditional education degrees, but a special education certificate can help compensate for the lack of a specialized degree.

Other high-value certifications for this field include being Board Certified or a Certified Disability Management Specialist (CDMS). A state-issued teaching license is also likely to be required. Make sure all of your credentials are listed clearly on your resume.

• [Degree Name]
• [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Special Education
• University of Austin, Austin, Texas | 2011
• [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
• Special Education Certification (K-8), State of Texas | 2021

4. List your special education teacher-related skills and proficiencies

Hiring managers only have a few seconds to spend on each resume, so create yours to be as skimmable as possible. One of the best ways to do this is to include a relevant key skills list. This simple bulleted list on your resume includes high-value industry skills, such as crisis intervention, creating IEPs, and classroom management.

Look through the job description to find the desired skills to add to your resume. Or use this list as a starting point:

How To Pick the Best Special Education Teacher Resume Template

Just like you write IEPs and ISPs with a framework adapted to each student, a template lets you create a resume quickly and easily. Choose a template with your contact information prominently in a header and the rest of the resume divided into clearly marked sections.

Avoid anything too flashy. Bright and colorful is great for the classroom, but your resume should be polished and professional. Stick to traditional font choices, and use bold formatting and bullets to ensure it’s easy to skim.

Frequently Asked Questions: Special Education Teacher Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for special education teacher resumes -.

The words you choose to use with students can mean the difference between cooperation and conflict. Using engaging action verbs on your resume can make the difference between a hiring manager being excited about you as a candidate or moving forward with someone else.

Each professional experience bullet should start with a strong action verb. Look through the job description to find some options in alignment with the hiring manager’s needs, or try some from this list:

How do you align your resume with a job description? -

The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates little to no change in how many open jobs are available for special education teachers. But some small tweaks to your resume can help you stand out in a competitive field. 

Look through the job description to ascertain what’s most important to the hiring manager. Are they seeking someone with extensive experience with behavior challenges and accommodation? Or do they want someone who can advise on supplementary programs and resources?

Change up your key skills list and the wording in your professional experience to reflect what the hiring manager is looking for. Add any required qualifications, such as a master’s degree or certification, in your profile. 

What is the best special education teacher resume format? -

The reverse chronological format demonstrates that you have a strong track record of experience working in special education. Start with your most recent position and work backward. The reverse chronological resume can still work if you move from traditional teaching to special education. However, a combination format may be better if you’re going through a complete career change.

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Give the hiring manager an additional chance to connect with you by including a cover letter with your resume. A cover letter can explain job gaps, provide context on career achievements, or explain why you want to work for this particular institution. Learn how to format a cover letter and what to include by looking at our special education teacher cover letter examples .

Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).

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• • Collaborated with general education teachers to modify curriculum and support student learning goals.
• • Managed and tracked student progress using data tracking systems resulting in 85% of students meeting or exceeding academic goals.
• • Provided ongoing feedback and support to students and families resulting in increased engagement and participation in academic and non-academic activities.
• • Developed and implemented IEP goals and accommodations resulting in measurable academic improvement.
• • Managed and tracked student progress using data tracking systems resulting in 75% of students meeting or exceeding academic goals.
• • Assisted with classroom management and behavior support resulting in improved student engagement and participation.
• • Implemented accommodations and modifications to support student learning goals.
• • Collaborated with special education and general education teachers to support student success.

5 Special Ed Teacher Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

Your special ed teacher resume must highlight your tailored expertise and compassion. Showcase your certifications and any specialized training pertinent to special education. Demonstrate your experience with measurable successes and individualized student progress. Your ability to adapt and personalize learning plans is paramount and should shine through.

All resume examples in this guide

Traditional

Resume Guide

Special education teacher resume example, how to format a special ed teacher resume, how to write your special education teacher resume experience, special education resume skills: how to list your hard skills and soft skills, how to list your education and certifications on your resume, how to write your special education teacher resume summary or objective, additional sections for a special education teacher resumes, key takeaways.

As a special education teacher, you're often the unsung hero.

It takes more than simple pedagogical expertise to thrive at your job. Your highest aim is for your students to reach their full potential. And you're often successful at that through patience, empathy, and collaboration.

However, when you send out your special education teacher resume, you may feel a bit undervalued when you send dozens without getting a single callback.

In today's guide, we'll show you:

• How to craft a resume that illuminates your special education teacher skills and impact
• Real-world template examples to model your own resume after
• Best way to quantify your accomplishments and make your resume stand out to potential employers.

Ready to craft a standout resume that secures the job you have your eyes on?

Let’s jump right in.

Explore other relevant to education resumes:

What gives this resume sample an edge:

• The example resume has a clean, intuitive layout and formatting style. That makes it easy for recruiters to quickly scan and absorb.
• The applicant gave specific examples of her achievements with measurable data and skills, instead of making vague claims.
• Throughout the resume, the applicant touched on successful parent-teacher partnerships. That’s a crucial aspect of student progress in special ed environments.

Your resume isn't just a dull list of skills and experiences — it's your professional story. For special education teachers, where the roles are as nuanced as they are crucial, a well-formatted resume can make all the difference.

Professionalism and attention to detail are two essential qualities in your line of work. Ensuring that your resume is clear, organized, and easy to read is an easy way to show just that! You can only do that by using the right resume format .

A job-winning resume for a special education teacher must:

Unless otherwise stated in the job ad, PDF is the best format to use in your special education teacher application. It's the ideal way to maintain consistent formatting across different devices and platforms, which is especially true for modern, visually-rich resumes.

The top sections on a special ed teacher resume:

What recruiters want to see on your resume:.

Your resume experience is what brings your resume to life. It’s where you’ll highlight your professional journey and the impact you’ve made in the lives of your students.

But, in order for your experience to be captivating, you must go beyond adding a list of job titles and dates.

To craft an eye-catching experience section, you have to:

• Focus on achievements and skills over duties
• Optimize your bullet points with industry-specific keywords
• Use precise numbers and statistics to quantify your achievements
• Maintain a consistent format for dates, titles, and school names.

Let’s look at these two special education teacher resume examples:

• • Employed standard teaching aids to assist in class sessions.
• • Participated in regular meetings with other staff members.

Special education teaching is a tough job that needs unique skills and knowledge. Yet, the example above didn’t emphasize any of that to make the candidate stand out.

What can we do to improve that in three simple steps?

Once you make these changes, your sped teacher resume should look like this.

• • Managed a classroom of 15 students, tailoring strategies for each, achieving a 90% milestone success rate.
• • Participated in bi-weekly meetings, coordinating with therapists and educators to ensure student progress.
• • Utilized specialized teaching tools, resulting in a 20% boost in student engagement and comprehension.

How to quantify impact on a special education teacher resume

As a special education teacher, you often compete in a sea of candidates with matching skills and qualifications. Unfortunately, this makes it tricky for you to stand out from the crowd.

The solution?

You must highlight your direct impact on your special needs students through tangible metrics. That helps you efficiently capture recruiters’ attention and prove your results-driven mindset.

Here are a few questions to help you promote yourself as a valuable addition to any school:

• Did you craft and implement any individualized educational plans (IEPs)? If so, what was the goal attainment rate for these IEPs?
• Did you use any behavioral techniques to reduce disruptions in the classroom?
• How often did you conduct parent-teacher meetings? And did increase parental involvement with their children?
• How many special needs students did you support and adapt strategies for?
• How many professional workshops on special education techniques did you participate in?
• Were you able to boost student engagement by incorporating assistive technologies?
• How many therapists and specialists did you cooperate with? Did these collaborations lead to notable improvements in student performance?

How do I write a special ed teacher resume with no experience

Let’s be honest - it’s not easy to break into the field of special education when you lack experience.

You know you’re qualified and ready for the position. But, hiring managers encounter such claims on every special needs teacher resume they review. So to rise above the rest and get noticed, you must show great promise.

How do you leave a mark on recruiters without experience?

By reshaping your resume to radiate drive, readiness, and potential. Here’s how to do that in a few simple steps:

• Use a hybrid resume format that emphasizes skills and qualifications upfront.
• Start with a resume objective that displays enthusiasm and desire to excel as a special education teacher.
• Emphasize skills like patience, communication, or teamwork from other roles or work experiences.
• Focus on relevant coursework, projects, or research related to special education.
• List any unpaid work or internships as long as they're related to education or caregiving.
• Include any training or workshops attended, even if not directly linked to teaching.

Without the teacher’s touch, the classroom is just a room of books. And without skills , your resume is merely a list of words on paper.

In the skills section, you will highlight your best qualities and tie them directly to the job ad.

There are two types of skills you should be aware of:

Soft skills are non-measurable qualities that help you foster a deeper bond with your students. Empathy, patience, adaptability, and strong communication are all essential interpersonal skills in your field.

On the other hand, hard skills are the concrete tools and techniques you’ve picked up on the job through practice. This includes special therapy training, knowledge about IEPs, and using assistive technologies.

Now, to really make your resume stand out :

You have to align your skills with the specific requirements of the job description. For example — if a school is seeking proficiency in sign language, put that front and center.

Also, quality always trumps quantity. So make sure to keep your list between 8 to 12 skills matching the job description and your personal experience.

Best hard skills on a resume for a special education teacher

Best soft skills for your special education teacher resume.

Schools take the well-being of students with special needs very seriously. So when posting new job offers, they always mandate a degree with certificates for special education teachers.

Your educational background should be a no-brainer. It showcases that you possess the foundational training and expertise for the role.

An ideal education section includes the following details:

• Degree type (e.g., Bachelor of Education)
• Major (e.g., Special Education)
• University Name
• Duration/Year of Graduation

As for your GPA, you should only include if it's high enough to serve as a differentiator. Feel free to add your honors and coursework as those can give insights into your training.

Now, what makes these certificates so invaluable is straightforward:

Certifications serve as a testament to the applicant's commitment and training. They're an excellent way to prove their passion and show their ability to handle diverse learning needs.

In addition, special education certificates guarantee that educators are equipped with the latest methods and knowledge.

So how should you add certifications to your special education resume?

Be sure to match the name of your certificate to the phrasing in the job description. This is essential for improved clarity and better ATS scanning.

Best certifications for your special education teacher resume

The resume summary provides a brief overview of your accomplishments and qualifications. It’s where you emphasize your value as a teacher and what you bring to the table.

A job-winning special ed resume summary should serve as a shortcut for the recruiter to hire you. It must answer all the questions they have in mind within a few seconds.

• Is this applicant fit to work with our special needs students?
• Are they highlighting the right skills?
• Do they show the level of experience we need?

On the contrary, a special education teacher's objective states your career goals and intentions. It's typically a good option for entry-level applicants or individuals looking to make a career transition.

Why does it work? Because it shifts the focus from expertise to potential.

As a rule of thumb:

• Choose a summary when you have strong experience to flaunt. Use an objective when you're starting out or pivoting your career.
• Make your summary or objective specific. Generic statements will turn recruiters off within a second.
• Highlight your achievements, skills, and how they relate to the job in question. This is your best chance to quickly grab the recruiter's attention!

Let’s go through a couple of special education teacher summary examples:

Which of the two summaries is a better way to unlock your dream career?

The second example is a clear winner. It communicates the applicant’s qualifications clearly, without leaving much room for vagueness.

Here are three crucial elements to help you craft a standout summary for your resume:

• Relevance: Every detail in your summary should communicate a clear benefit to the recruiter. Anything other than that is just fluff that will stop you from being the top pick.
• Specificity: Instead of vague promises, include skills, certificates, and quantifiable achievements. These are crucial details to make your summary more compelling.
• ATS compliance: The right ATS keywords will increase your chances of being noticed and hired by headhunters. (Use our free ATS checker to rate your resume.)

Additional sections will amplify the charm of your resume and make it more appealing.

They enable you to illustrate a wider range of skills and qualifications. They also let you show your teaching experience in various settings comprehensively.

So, what are the best sections to add to a special ed teacher resume?

• Volunteer Work: To demonstrate your deep commitment to supporting diverse learners outside the classroom setting. Use this to highlight hands-on experience with differently-abled individuals and educational outreach.
• Hobbies and Interests: To show your personality traits and unique passions outside the classroom. This helps you display patience, creativity, or a deep interest in understanding diverse learning needs.
• Awards and Honors: To reflect acknowledgment from peers and educational institutions for your past contributions within the school.
• Conferences and Workshops: To emphasize commitment to ongoing professional growth and staying updated with the latest techniques and strategies in special education.

Looking to build your own Special Ed Teacher resume?

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Special Education Teacher resume examples & templates

Attending to the needs of learners who don’t fit the mold requires flexibility and patience. To take the next step in your career (or to get your first job), you need a special education resume that shows off those skills as well as your knowledge of educational pedagogy.

You help students break down work into manageable parts, and here we do the same for your job application. This special education resume guide, along with the corresponding resume example will cover the following topics:

What does a special education teacher do?

• How to write a special education teacher resume (tips and tricks)
• The best format for a special education teacher resume
• Methods for getting the most out of each section of your resume (summary, work history, education, skills)
• Professional resume layout and design hints.

You don’t create a curriculum from scratch every day, you use the tools at hand. Try the same for your special education resume. Online builders, resume templates, and resume examples such as the ones from resume.io will get you there faster. 

Special education teachers work with students who have learning differences. The students may have Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or accommodations that must be met according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These plans are called 504s.

Responsibilities of special education teachers include:

• Creating or modifying curriculum and materials to fit individual student needs
• Writing IEPs and 504 plans
• Meeting with parents to discuss these plans and student progress
• Working with teachers so that they understand student needs
• Teaching classes
• Monitoring student progress
• Communicating with parents
• Updating IEP and 504 plans as students progress and ensuring that all requirements of these legal documents are being met.

Special education teachers work at all levels, from pre-kindergarten through high school. Their roles are varied depending on the age of the students and the requirements of the school district.

How to write a special education teacher resume

You may be an expert at differentiation, but the structure of your special education resume is not the place to show that skills off. Instead, stick with standard sections. Your CV should contain the following elements:

• The resume header
• The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The resume skills section
• The education section

Choosing the best resume format for a special education teacher

The best way to show off your abilities is to use a format that principals and other hiring personnel can easily read. In most instances, your special education teacher resume should be organized in reverse chronological order, or from the latest job to the earliest job.

This format serves two purposes:

• It makes it easy for school district personnel to find what they seek since this is the format they are accustomed to.
• It gives you a better shot at moving past the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) that most public school districts use. The ATS uses algorithms to rank and sort resumes once they’re scanned into human resource systems.l

If you are looking for your first job, use your student teaching experience in your employment history section. If you are changing careers, one of our hybrid formats may work better for you.

Applying through Frontline Hiring

Many districts around the United States use the ATS by Frontline Education. Using reverse chronological order will make the application process much simpler for you because this ATS is organized in this style. If you choose a different format, you will need to manually reorganize the information the ATS has scanned.

Once you have created your application in Frontline, you can apply to many different positions, although each one may have slightly different requirements, such as essay questions.

Resume summary example

Personality and pedagogy play a huge role in whether or not you get the interview because they play a huge role in your job. A special education teacher resume must reveal both your style and philosophy and your summary is the best place to do so.

While it may not be the first section an HR person reads, it can make or break your application. Take these hundred or so words to explain why your teaching style fits the district to which you are applying and what you will bring to the job that will enhance the school’s educational offerings.

To do so, you must personalize this section for each role and district.

You can find more examples, including those for the following specific roles, in our education resume sample section. Here are related resume guides.

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Passionate educator with extensive experience in developing lesson plans to teach elementary school students with special learning needs. Skilled at building relationships with diverse students, parents, and colleagues to create a collaborative approach toward education. Work with IEP team and instructional technologists to improve learning outcomes.

Employment history sample

Within the employment history section of your special education teacher resume, you should detail the major successes you have achieved in your career. Data rules in education, so offer specific numbers whenever possible.

Below you will find examples of bullet items and ways to improve them.

Good: Improved student reading scores by 1.5 grade levels

Better: Increased mean reading level of students by 1.5 grade levels using a combination of computerized reading programs and research-based teaching methods 

Good: Collaborated with math department to develop differentiated learning materials

Better: Differentiated algebra materials created with math department resulted in 20 percent increase in completed homework

Special Education Teacher at A. Smithee Elementary, Deming, NM June 2016 - Present

• Apply modern pedagogical techniques to teach language arts, math, and social studies to students with developmental and intellectual delays.
• Ensure alignment with IEPs, district policies, and Common Core Standards.
• Supervise and train student teachers, paraeducation professionals, and classroom volunteers.
• Manage classroom activities, monitor behavior, and provide feedback to students on an ongoing basis.
• Communicate regularly with parents, administrators, and other team members regarding student progress and and performance.

Student Teacher at A. Smithee Elementary, Deming, NM September 2015 - June 2016

• Under supervision, taught students in third-grade general education classes.
• Collaborated with head teacher to create lesson plans and activities.
• Maintained records of students' grades, attendance, and behavior.

CV skills example

An excellent skills section for your special education teacher CV combines attributes that offer a true picture of your professional personality and illustrate that you have what prospective employers seek. This section is key since it is easily scanned and may be the first section a recruiter looks at.

You’re expected to have subject matter expertise, an understanding of education law, compassion and patience, and excellent collaboration and communication skills. Start with a complete list of your abilities. Then, choose 4-7 from among them to create the strongest blend of educational knowledge and interpersonal skills for each teaching position.

• Knowledge of Child Development
• Lesson Planning
• Formal and Informal Assessments
• Differentiated Learning Techniques
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Classroom Management
• Blackboard LMS
• Smart Boards
• Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)
• Balanced Literacy

Special education teacher resume education example

Education is important to educators. In fact, especially if you are looking for your first job, you may want to move the education section of your special education teacher resume above your employment history to show off your academic successes.

List all your teaching certifications and qualifications in this section, unless you have so many you would like to break them out into a separate certifications section. Also include any seminars, workshops, or classes you have completed or led or break them out into a separate section.

Your high school diploma is unnecessary if you have a master’s degree or higher. 

Bachelor of Arts in Education at Clinton College, Rock Hill, SC September 2012 - June 2016

Resume layout and design

Depending on the grade level you want to teach, you may get a bit creative here, but don’t go overboard. Your goal is to make a good first impression with an organized, easy-to-read layout and design.

Consider using one of our expertly-designed and adaptable resume templates. Here are some guidelines to give you a head start:

• Choose fonts that are easy to read and use a minimum of 10-point type.
• Make sure your section headings stand out.
• Use your name and contact information (the header) as a design element.
• Elementary school teachers can get away with brighter colors than upper-grade teachers, but in any case, use color sparingly.
• Proofread, proofread, proofread! You’ll be grading and correcting student work, so start with your own.

Key takeaways for a special education teacher resume

• Special education teachers are differentiation masters, so make sure you differentiate your resume for each different teaching role.
• Your summary should describe your educational philosophy and your classroom personality.
• Education is important to educators, so make sure you include all your certifications and other learning accomplishments.
• Resume.io’s resources will help you fast-track your application process.

Beautiful ready-to-use resume templates