Special Education Teacher Resume Examples and Templates for 2023

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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for special education teachers was $61,500 in 2020. These roles are projected to grow by 8% over the next decade. Although ample opportunities are available within the education industry, you’ll still need a strong resume to advance your career. Hiring managers want qualified candidates that fit their organizational needs, and you’ll need to demonstrate you have these desired skill sets by highlighting accomplishments from your professional career. Below, you’ll find resume examples for entry-level job seekers and experienced special education teachers to help you in your job search.

Downloadable Resume Examples

Example #1 Entry-level

Example #2 Mid-career

Example #3 Senior-level

Special Education Teacher Resume Examples

Years of Experience
  • Entry-level Entry-level
  • Mid-career Mid-career
  • Senior-level Senior-level

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

Profile

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

Education

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

Key Skills

  • 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

Profile

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.

Professional Experience

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

Education

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

Key Skills

  • Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Curriculum Development
  • Behavioral Disorders
  • Individualized Service Plans (ISPs)

Certifications

  • Special Education Certification (K-8), State of Pennsylvania, 2016

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

Profile

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.

Professional Experience

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

Education

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

Key Skills

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
  • Curriculum Development
  • Special Education
  • Program Management
  • E-learning

Certifications

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

Common Key Skills and Action Verbs for Special Education Teacher Resumes

Implementing appropriate keywords and action verbs into your resume is essential for making a strong impression on potential employers. This strategy will ensure that your document satisfies the Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) requirements. It’s important to understand that hiring managers are often limited in how much time they can allocate to each resume. Tactically integrating these key terms into your document will justify the reader spending more time reviewing your application because you fit their needs. Below, you’ll find a list of keywords you may encounter during your job search.

Key Skills and Proficiencies
APA Advocate Autism
Behavioral Analysis Case Management
Classroom Management Communication
Crisis Intervention Curriculum Development
Early Childhood Education English
Elementary Education Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)
Individualized Service Plans (ISPs) Interventions
Instruction Lesson Plan Implementation
Program Management Psychology
Microsoft Office Suite Special Education
Student Assessment Teaching
Team Leadership Tutoring
Action Verbs
Analyzed Conducted
Coordinated Created
Delivered Designed
Developed Diagnosed
Drove Educated
Enhanced Evaluated
Executed Identified
Implemented Improved
Led Managed
Oversaw Partnered
Performed Resolved
Spearheaded Supported
Taught  

Tips for Writing a Better Special Education Resume

Feature your leadership abilities

Special education teachers often coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to develop curriculum and create quality learning environments. Organizations want to interview candidates who have a proven track record of succeeding in team-based environments. Education professionals also interface regularly with students and parents so you’ll want to showcase examples of you communicating and building relationships with these groups. Below, you’ll find samples of how to properly feature leadership abilities.

Example #1

Good


  • Managed a team of five special education teachers to develop and implement curriculum for special needs students, created a work culture of empowerment and collaboration, and drove the professional growth of team members

Bad


  • Led a team of teachers, sat in on classes to analyze teaching style, provided feedback, and conducted annual performance reviews

Example #2

Good


  • Served as chairman of the diversity leadership council for the school, which included interfacing with faculty, students, and teachers to lead diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to facilitate understanding and positive relationship building

Bad


  • Supported efforts to facilitate diversity, communicated with parents and students, and achieved organizational goals

Create an eye-catching professional profile

Adding a professional summary to the top of your resume that highlights your key skills and areas of expertise effectively grabs the hiring manager’s attention. By implementing key terms from the job description directly into your first sentence, you’ll be sending a strong message that you have all the qualifications that the organization is seeking. Below, you’ll find some examples of creating a compelling professional profile.

Example #1

Good


A Special Education Teacher with six years of experience, specializing in early childhood education, psychology, crisis intervention, and behavioral analysis. A strong history of developing innovative education programs to support academic and personal growth for special needs students.

Bad


Special Education Teacher seeking a high paying job with your organization. Excited to continue to advance my career in education and grow as a professional.

Example #2

Good


A Special Education Teacher with four years of professional experience specializing in delivering individualized instruction to students with autism spectrum disorders. A proven track record of collaborating with education teams to build inclusive learning environments.

Bad


A hardworking teacher who excels in special education. Looking for a lucrative position and opportunity to learn new skill sets. Enthusiastic for the chance to work for your organization.

How to Align Your Resume With the Job Description

How far you choose to tailor your resume to the job description can often decide whether or not the company brings you in for an interview. The application process has multiple levels. Before the hiring manager even reviews your resume, it needs to pass the initial scan of the Applicant Tracking Software (ATS). To ensure that the algorithm doesn’t reject your document, you’ll need to include as many keywords as possible from the job description in your resume.

When deciding what skills to include on your document, you should carefully analyze the posting to craft your bullet points and professional profile. Repeated key terms should be placed closer to the top of your document to ensure the hiring manager sees them. If something is listed as a requirement, it needs to be placed somewhere on the resume, or you may not satisfy the ATS check. Below, you’ll find an example to help you tailor your resume to the job description.

Special Education Teacher Job Description Example


XYZ Elementary is a leading academic institution named one of the best places to work in New York. We’re seeking a special education teacher who excels in curriculum development and small group learning to join our team. Our organization’s mission is to advocate for students with various mental disabilities and emotional disorders. We pride ourselves on our commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in our learning environments.

Responsibilities:

  • Create individualized education plans (IEPs) for a diverse student community, conduct student assessments, and provide tutoring services
  • Coordinate with multidisciplinary education groups to improve curriculums and enhance individual and small group instruction
  • Communicate with parents, guardians, and caretakers to ensure a safe environment for students with behavioral disorders

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in special education required
  • Special education certification for the State of New York required
  • 4-5 years of teaching experience
  • Strong communication, team leadership, and behavioral analysis skills
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and E-learning

According to the job description, the ideal job applicant should have the following qualities and/or experience:

  • Special Education
  • Emotional Disorders
  • Behavioral Disorders
  • Behavioral Analysis
  • Curriculum Development
  • Communication
  • Student Assessments
  • Multidisciplinary
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
  • Team Leadership
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • E-learning

Next, take what you highlighted from the job description and include your experience and skills that match. Below is an example of how to incorporate them in your resume to your advantage:

Special Education Teacher Work Experience Example


Profile

 

A Special Education Teacher with seven years of experience collaborating with multidisciplinary education teams to drive diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the classroom. A strong history of providing quality education to students with emotional and behavioral disorders.

Special Education Teacher

Brooklyn Elementary, October 2017 – Present

  • Develop special education curriculum, tailor individualized education plans (IEPs) based on student assessment data, and identify appropriate learning techniques
  • Coordinate with special education team to implement E-learning programs for students during the global pandemic, including securing laptops and tablets

 

Key Skills

  • Team Leadership
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Communication
  • Behavioral Analysis
  • Curriculum Development
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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).