Are you passionate about helping children reach their full potential? If you are creative, patient, and energetic, then a career as a special needs teacher might be right for you. This profession requires a four-year post-secondary education and offers an average salary of $44.80 per hour. With approximately 24,700 job opportunities per province, there is a high demand for special needs teachers.

Special Needs Teacher Role and Responsibilities

Special needs teachers primarily work with children who require special instructional services to facilitate their learning and development. They assist children with physical or developmental disabilities, hearing or visual impairments, speech or language disabilities, learning disabilities, behavior disorders, mental illness, or those with high intelligence or talent.

Duties of a Special Needs Teacher

A special needs teacher's main duties involve providing instruction, handling unexpected situations, and working with students individually or in groups. They must understand each student's unique characteristics and develop appropriate instructional programs to meet their needs. This includes working closely with parents, professionals from community agencies, and teaching assistants.

Working Environments

The working environments and responsibilities of special needs teachers can vary. They may teach a variety of subjects to a class with different disabilities, provide tutorial services to students in regular classrooms, travel between schools to support hearing or vision impaired students, or work in special clinics or institutional schools.

Skills and Qualifications

Working with children who have special needs requires physical, mental, and emotional stamina. Special needs teachers should have the desire to help students fulfill their intellectual, physical, emotional, and social growth potential. They must also be able to collaborate effectively with other teachers, parents, and consultants, while maintaining a positive attitude focused on the capabilities of students rather than their limitations.

To pursue a career as a special needs teacher, you can explore opportunities listed under various National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes such as Elementary School and Kindergarten Teachers (4142, E132, 4032, 41221).

For more information, you can visit the Inclusive Education page on the Government of Alberta website.

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