5 Amazing special education teacher Resume Examples (Updated 2023) + Skills & Job Descriptions

You have a heart for teaching, whether your students have disabilities, medical conditions, or are neurodiverse. Your superpower is finding what works for each child and providing the differentiated instruction that fills each need. You have a teaching certification, and you probably also have completed coursework specific to special education. You may even have a master's degree in the field. However, no matter how experienced you are, finding your next job requires that you construct a compelling special education teacher resume. To make your resume pop, write it in a way that grabs the reader's attention and emphasizes your skills and accomplishments. If you're unsure how to do that, you've come to the right place. We created our professionally written resume example for that very purpose: to model the way for you to create an unforgettable resume. Review our sample and writing tips before you get started, and you will probably find that you have the clarity to write the kind of resume that you can be proud of.

Build your resume in 15 minutes

Give yourself the best chance of standing out from the competition!

Create an awesome resume that meets the expectations of potential employers with our selection of professional, field-tested resume templates.

START YOUR RESUME NOW

special education teacher: Resume Samples & Writing Guide

Professional Summary

A passionate and dedicated Special Education Teacher with a commitment to helping students reach their potential. Possesses a strong ability to create individualized learning plans to meet the needs of each student.

Employment history

Chief Special Education Teacher, Teach For America New York City, New York

March 2012 – Present

Develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with special needs
Utilize data to inform instruction and adjust interventions
Adapt curricula to meet the individual needs of students

Special Education Teacher, Edutopia Seattle, Washington

September 2011 – February 2012

Facilitate meetings with parents, teachers, and administrators to discuss student progress
Implement evidence-based instructional strategies and interventions to meet the individual needs of students
Communicate effectively with students, parents, and other school personnel

Junior Special Education Teacher, Khan Academy Mountain View, California

March 2010 – August 2011

Facilitate meetings with parents, teachers, and administrators to discuss student progress
Maintain accurate records of student progress and assessments
Develop and implement behavior management plans

Education

University of California, Berkeley, California

Higher Education Administration, February, 2010

Skills

Analytical

Negotiation

Decision Making

Networking

Innovation

Business Acumen

Project Management

Visualization

Do you already have a resume? Use our PDF converter and edit your resume.

Build My Resume

Employment history

Chief Special Education Teacher, Khan Academy Mountain View, California

January 2020 – Present

Communicate effectively with students, parents, and other school personnel
Adapt curricula to meet the individual needs of students
Develop and implement behavior management plans

Associate Special Education Teacher, The New Teacher Project New York City, New York

January 2019 – December 2019

Provide direct instruction to students with special needs in a variety of settings
Collaborate with other teachers, administrators, and outside agencies to develop effective instructional plans
Provide guidance and support to students with special needs and their families

Jr. Special Education Teacher, National Council on Teacher Quality Washington, DC

June 2018 – December 2018

Utilize data to inform instruction and adjust interventions
Utilize technology and other resources to enhance instruction
Provide guidance and support to students with special needs and their families

Education

University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin

Doctor of Philosophy in School Counseling, April, 2018

University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin

Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education, April, 2014

Skills

Negotiation

Collaboration

Innovation

Self-Motivation

Troubleshooting

Innovation

Training

Visualization

Build My Resume

Professional Summary

A highly motivated and experienced Special Education Teacher with a passion for helping students reach their full potential. Committed to providing an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.

Employment history

Chief Special Education Teacher, KIPP Public Charter Schools San Francisco, California

September 2011 – Present

Implement evidence-based instructional strategies and interventions to meet the individual needs of students
Facilitate meetings with parents, teachers, and administrators to discuss student progress
Provide direct instruction to students with special needs in a variety of settings

Special Education Teacher, Edutopia Seattle, Washington

September 2010 – August 2011

Communicate effectively with students, parents, and other school personnel
Collaborate with other teachers, administrators, and outside agencies to develop effective instructional plans
Monitor and assess student progress and provide feedback to parents and other school personnel

Entry Level Special Education Teacher, New Teacher Center Santa Cruz, California

September 2009 – August 2010

Develop and implement behavior management plans
Participate in IEP meetings and other meetings related to student progress
Utilize technology and other resources to enhance instruction

Education

Stanford University, Stanford, California

Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership, July, 2009

Stanford University, Stanford, California

Bachelor of Science in School Counseling, July, 2005

Skills

Troubleshooting

Professionalism

Stress Management

Social Media

Financial Management

Risk Management

Business Acumen

Database Management

Build My Resume

Professional Summary

A passionate and dedicated special education teacher with a commitment to providing a nurturing and supportive learning environment for students. Experienced in developing and implementing individualized education plans to meet the unique needs of each student.

Employment history

Chief Special Education Teacher, Khan Academy Mountain View, California

February 2012 – Present

Participate in professional development activities to stay current on best practices
Implement evidence-based instructional strategies and interventions to meet the individual needs of students
Facilitate meetings with parents, teachers, and administrators to discuss student progress

Associate Special Education Teacher, Chicago Public Schools Chicago, Illinois

August 2010 – January 2012

Utilize technology and other resources to enhance instruction
Communicate effectively with students, parents, and other school personnel
Adapt curricula to meet the individual needs of students

Jr. Special Education Teacher, Chicago Public Schools Chicago, Illinois

August 2009 – July 2010

Develop and implement behavior management plans
Participate in IEP meetings and other meetings related to student progress
Utilize technology and other resources to enhance instruction

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusetts

Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language, June, 2009

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusetts

Bachelor of Arts in Education, June, 2005

Skills

Relationship Management.

Process Improvement

Collaboration

Business Acumen

Data Analysis

Innovation

Training

Accounting

Build My Resume

Professional Summary

A passionate and dedicated special education teacher with a strong commitment to student success. Experienced in providing individualized instruction to meet the needs of a diverse range of learners.

Employment history

Lead Special Education Teacher, The New Teacher Project New York City, New York

August 2014 – Present

Adapt curricula to meet the individual needs of students
Communicate effectively with students, parents, and other school personnel
Provide direct instruction to students with special needs in a variety of settings

Special Education Teacher, Chicago Public Schools Chicago, Illinois

February 2013 – July 2014

Monitor and assess student progress and provide feedback to parents and other school personnel
Maintain accurate records of student progress and assessments
Participate in IEP meetings and other meetings related to student progress

Entry Level Special Education Teacher, The New Teacher Project New York City, New York

August 2012 – January 2013

Provide direct instruction to students with special needs in a variety of settings
Participate in IEP meetings and other meetings related to student progress
Collaborate with other teachers, administrators, and outside agencies to develop effective instructional plans

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign, Illinois

Master of Science in Education, June, 2012

University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign, Illinois

Bachelor of Science in Special Education, June, 2008

Skills

Listening

Interpersonal

Stress Management

Reporting

Quality Assurance

Project Management

Accounting

Financial Management

Use This special education teacher Resume Template

Not in love with this template? Browse our full library of resume templates

special education teacher Job Descriptions; Explained

If you're applying for an special education teacher position, it's important to tailor your resume to the specific job requirements in order to differentiate yourself from other candidates. Including accurate and relevant information that directly aligns with the job description can greatly increase your chances of securing an interview with potential employers.

When crafting your resume, be sure to use action verbs and a clear, concise format to highlight your relevant skills and experience. Remember, the job description is your first opportunity to make an impression on recruiters, so pay close attention to the details and make sure you're presenting yourself in the best possible light.

special education teacher

Confer with other staff members to plan or schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.
Coordinate placement of students with special needs into general education classroom
Prepare objectives, outlines, or other materials for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements.
Confer with parents, guardians, teachers, counselors, or administrators to resolve students’ behavioral or academic problems.
Establish and communicate clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects to students, parents, or guardians.
Modify the general curriculum for special-needs students.

special education teacher

Modify the general education curriculum for special-needs students based upon a variety of instructional techniques and instructional technology
Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students
Develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of disabilities
Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, and professionals to develop individual educational plans designed to promote students’ educational, physical, and social development.
Maintain accurate and complete student records, and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations
Teach students personal development skills such as goal setting, independence, and self-advocacy

special education teacher

Develop or implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of disabilities.
Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, or other professionals to develop individual education plans (IEPs).
Prepare classrooms with a variety of materials or resources for children to explore, manipulate, or use in learning activities or imaginative play.
Develop/adapt curriculum to make it relevant for students with disabilities

special education teacher

Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, or teacher training workshops to maintain or improve professional competence.
Prepare assignments for teacher assistants or volunteers.
Employ special educational strategies or techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, or memory.
Establish and communicate clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects to students.
Instruct special needs students in academic subjects, using a variety of techniques, such as phonetics, multi-
Plan or conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
Prepare objectives, outlines, or other materials for courses of study following curriculum guidelines or school or state requirements.

special education teacher

Instruct students in daily living skills required for independent maintenance and self-sufficiency, such as hygiene, safety, or food preparation.
Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, and professionals to develop individual educational plans designed to promote students’ educational, physical, and social development.
Attend to children’s basic needs by feeding them, dressing them, or changing their diapers.
Assist Regular Education teachers in developing/modifying curriculum to meet the needs of students with disabilities

1 2 3 … 12

special education teacher Job Skills

For an special education teacher position, your job skills are a key factor in demonstrating your value to the company and showing recruiters that you're the ight fit for the role. It's important to be specific when highlighting your skills and ensure that they are directly aligned with the job requirements, as this can greatly improve your chances of being hired. By showcasing your relevant skills and experience, you can make a compelling case for why you're the best candidate for the job.

How to include technical skills in your resume:

Technical skills are a set of specialized abilities and knowledge required to perform a particular job effectively. Some examples of technical skills are data analysis, project management, software proficiency, and programming languages, to name a few.

Add the technical skills that will get hired in your career field with our simple-to-use resume builder. Select your desired resume template, once you reach the skills section of the builder, manually write in the skill or simply click on "Add more skills". This will automatically generate the best skills for your career field, choose your skill level, and hit "Save & Next."

Data Analysis
Computer Literacy
Technical
Project Management
Quality Assurance
Troubleshooting
Database Management
Risk Management
Visualization
Reporting
Business Acumen
Process Improvement
Relationship Management
Training
Innovation
Documentation
Accounting
Financial Management
Presentation
Written Communication

How to include soft skills in your resume:

Soft skills are non-technical skills that relate to how you work and that can be used in any job. Including soft skills such as time management, creative thinking, teamwork, and conflict resolution demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and show that you navigate challenges and changes in the workplace efficiently.

Add competitive soft skills to make your resume stand-out to recruiters! Simply select your preferred resume template in the skills section, enter the skills manually or use the "Add more skills" option. Our resume builder will generate the most relevant soft skills for your career path. Choose your proficiency level for each skill, and then click "Save & Next" to proceed to the next section.

Communication
Interpersonal
Leadership
Time Management
Problem Solving
Decision Making
Critical Thinking
Creativity
Adaptability
Teamwork
Organization
Planning
Public Speaking
Negotiation
Conflict Resolution
Research
Analytical
Attention to Detail
Self-Motivation
Stress Management
Collaboration
Coaching
Mentoring
Listening
Networking
Strategic Thinking
Negotiation
Emotional Intelligence
Adaptability
Flexibility
Reliability
Professionalism
Computer Literacy
Technical
Data Analysis
Project Management
Customer Service
Presentation
Written Communication
Social Media
Troubleshooting
Quality Assurance
Collaboration
Supervisory
Risk Management
Database Management
Training
Innovation
Documentation
Accounting
Financial Management
Visualization
Reporting
Business Acumen
Process Improvement
Documentation
Relationship Management.

How to Improve Your special education teacher Resume

Navigating resume pitfalls can mean the difference between landing an interview or not. Missing job descriptions or unexplained work history gaps can cause recruiters to hesitate. Let's not even talk about the impact of bad grammar, and forgetting your contact info could leave your potential employer hanging. Aim to be comprehensive, concise, and accurate.

Employment history

Senior Special Education Teacher, The New Teacher Project New York City, New York

August 2016 – May 2022

Participate in IEP meetings and other meetings related to student progress
Communicate effectively with students, parents, and other school personnel
Develop and implement behavior management plans

Associate Special Education Teacher, National Council on Teacher Quality Washington, DC

March 2015 – July 2016

Adapt curricula to meet the individual needs of students
Provide direct instruction to students with special needs in a variety of settings
Develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with special needs

Junior Special Education Teacher, The New Teacher Project New York City, New York

September 2013 – February 2015

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusetts

Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education, July, 2013

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusetts

Bachelor of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language, August, 2009

Skills

Interpersonal

Adaptability

Public Speaking

Collaboration

Relationship Management

Innovation

Quality Assurance

Visualization

Unexplained Year Gaps and Missing Job Experiences are a No-no

Gaps in your resume can prevent recruiters from hiring you if you don't explain them.

Key Insights

It's okay to have gaps in your work experience but always offer a valid explanation instead of just hiding it.
Use the gap to talk about positive attributes or additional skills you've learned.
Be honest and straightforward about the gap and explain it using a professional summary.

How to Optimize Your special education teacher Resume

Keep an eye out for these resume traps. Neglecting to detail your job roles or explain gaps in your career can lead to unnecessary doubts. Grammar blunders can reflect negatively on you, and without contact information, how can employers reach you? Be meticulous and complete.

Employment history

Lead Special Education Teacher, Edutopia Seattle, Washington

July 2019 – Present

Participate in profesional developement activities to stay current on best practises
Implement evidence-based instuctional strategies and intervntions to meet the indivdual needs of students
Provide guidane and support to students with special needs and their familes

Associate Special Education Teacher, Khan Academy Mountain View, California

August 2018 – July 2019

Provide direct instruction to student's with special needs in a variety's of settings
Develop and implement behaviour management plans
Facilitate meeting's with parent's, teacher's, and administrator's to discuss student progress.

Junior Special Education Teacher, Khan Academy Mountain View, California

August 2017 – July 2018

Provide guidiance and suport to students with special needs and their familie's
Collaborate with other teachers, adminstrators, and outside agencie's to develope effective instructional plans
Develop Individualized Education Program's (IEPs) for students with special needs.

Education

Stanford University, Stanford, California

Doctor of Philosophy in Education, June, 2017

Stanford University, Stanford, California

Bachelor of Arts in Educational Leadership, June, 2013

Skills

Adaptability

Risk Management

Written Communication

Self-Motivation

Accounting

Training

Business Acumen

Troubleshooting

Avoid Spelling Mistakes and Include your Contact Information

Missing contact information prevents recruiters from understanding you're the best fit for the position.

Key Insights

Make sure you're not missing contact information on your resume. That should include your full name, telephone number and email address.
Make sure to use a professional email address as part of your contact information.
Highlight your contact information and double check that everything is accurate to help recruiters get in touch with you.

special education teacher Cover Letter Example

A cover letter can be a valuable addition to your job application when applying for an special education teacher position. Cover letters provide a concise summary of your qualifications, skills, and experience, also it also gives you an opportunity to explain why you're the best fit for the job. Crafting a cover letter that showcases your relevant experience and enthusiasm for the Accounts Payable role can significantly improve your chances of securing an interview.

Chief Special Education Teacher
Teach For America
New York City, New York

Greetings Teach For America Hiring Team

I am writing to express my interest in the Chief Special Education Teacher role at Teach For America. As a Special Education Teacher with 13 years of experience, I am confident that I possess the necessary skills and qualifications to excel in this position.

Throughout my life, I have pursued my passion for Inclusive Education and have gained experience in this field as a result. This experience has given me valuable skills such as Analytical and Negotiation, which I am excited to bring to this position. I am eager to work with a team that shares my enthusiasm as a Special Education Teacher and help your organization achieve its well determined goals.

I am elated about the opportunity to join a team that shares my passion for this field, and values collaboration and innovation. I am confident that together we can overcome whatever tests and challenges are put on our way.

Best regards,
Isaac Clark
806-926-6208
[email protected]

Isaac Clark

CUSTOMIZE THIS COVER LETTER

Showcase your most significant accomplishments and qualifications with this cover letter.
Personalize this cover letter in just few minutes with our user-friendly tool!

Related Resumes & Cover Letters