- What should your special education teacher resume include?
- How can you create a professional summary?
- How should you describe your work experience as a special education teacher?
- Include an education and certifications section in your special education teacher resume
- Which key skills are relevant for a special education teacher resume?
- How to select the most impactful special education teacher resume template
- Copyable special education teacher resume example
- Key takeaways for writing a special education teacher resume
A career in special education can be exceptionally rewarding. It requires a special kind of individual who is passionate about making a positive impact on young minds with special needs. If you possess a deep commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments, tailoring educational experiences to diverse needs, and helping students reach their full potential, then a role in special education may be an exciting and fulfilling path for you.
As you navigate the job market, it’s imperative that your resume speaks directly to the skills and expertise necessary to land a role in special education. This article will empower you to showcase your unique skills and experiences, opening doors to opportunities where you can make a lasting difference in the lives of students with diverse learning needs.
Read on as we cover:
What a special education teacher resume should include
How to structure the summary, work history, education sections
Adding relevant key skills to your special education teacher resume
Choosing the right resume template for a special education teacher
What should your special education teacher resume include?
A special education teacher provides specialized instruction and support to students with diverse learning needs and abilities. Their primary focus is on creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment that accommodates individualized education plans (IEPs) for students with disabilities.
Because school administrators are looking for teachers who can foster a positive and inclusive classroom culture and advocate for their students, your resume should convey your ability to create a supportive learning environment that helps students succeed academically and socially.
Be sure to include the following categories in your special education teacher resume:
A header with your contact information
An introductory resume summary
A section to highlight your expertise
A breakdown of your employment history
A list of formal education and credentials
How can you create a professional summary?
When summarizing your professional experience to appeal to special education teacher roles, start with a strong opening that highlights your passion for special education and your commitment to students' success.
Briefly outline your experience as a special education teacher, emphasizing key achievements and responsibilities. Mention the grade levels you've worked with and any specialized programs or methodologies you've implemented.
Clearly list skills that are essential for a special education teacher. This may include expertise in individualized education plans (IEPs), knowledge of various learning disabilities, behavior management, differentiated instruction, and collaboration with other professionals.
Aim for a concise, yet powerful summary that provides a snapshot of your qualifications and leaves the reader intrigued to learn more from the rest of your resume.
See our adaptable resume summary below.
Accomplished teacher with expertise in Special Education, customized curriculum planning, and differentiated instruction to engage and inspire students of diverse abilities.
How should you describe your work experience as a special education teacher?
List your previous roles by detailing dates, locations, and company names, ensuring they are presented in reverse chronological order. This arrangement is important as hiring officials tend to focus on your most recent experiences.
For each job entry, add a short paragraph explaining your daily duties. Directly following, create a bulleted list of accomplishments to draw the readers’ eye to important aspects of your contributions.
Provide specific examples of how your teaching methods and strategies have positively impacted students. Use quantifiable achievements, such as improved test scores, enhanced communication skills, or successful inclusion experiences.
Here's a quick accomplishment example for a special education teacher:
Liaised with parents and students to determine placement and transition roadmaps, ensuring seamless transitions with minimal interruption or disruption to the student’s academics.
Take a look at the adaptable resume employment history section below.
Special Education Teacher at Lyon County School District, Silver Springs Elementary School, Yerington, Nevada 2016 - Present
Provide quality and specialized instruction to students with various disabilities.
Implement IEP and lesson plan requirements for classrooms of up to 27 students.
Create a welcoming, encouraging, and supportive environment for all learners, and maintain classroom organization and order.
Assign and grade work. Monitor student progress and provide updates to general education teachers and caregivers.
Utilize tools such as SmartBoards, Promethean Boards, and electronic dictionaries to promote interactive learning.
Liaised with parents and students to determine placement and transition roadmaps, ensuring seamless transitions with minimal interruption or disruption to the student’s academics.
Leveraged extensive background and experience with special needs education to aid and advise the textbook committee in decision-making and purchase planning.
K-12 Substitute Teacher at Lyon County School District, Silver Springs Elementary School, Yerington, Nevada 2012 - 2016
Implemented individualized, comprehensive lesson plans to effectively educate students with a variety of special needs across all subjects and grades.
Collaborated with peers to provide parents with feedback on student progress and needs.
Utilized tools such as Smart Boards, Promethean Boards, and electronic dictionaries to improve learning outcomes.
Effectively managed classrooms and collected student data for future educational planning.
Gained experience in delivering instruction using Read 180 and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices.
Obtained specialized training in child development and needs-based training development for children with special needs.
Include an education and certifications section in your special education teacher resume
When creating the education section of your special education teacher resume, highlight your academic qualifications to underscore your readiness for the role. Begin with your most recent degree and work backward, listing the name of the degree, the institution, graduation date, and any relevant honors or achievements.
Include certifications, licenses, or endorsements related to special education, showcasing your commitment to professional development. If you possess additional certifications in relevant areas such as behavior analysis or assistive technology, incorporate them to enhance your candidacy.
Master of Arts in Special Education at Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Arizona
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Arizona
Program in Applied Behavior Analysis at Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL
Which key skills are relevant for a special education teacher resume?
Crafting a compelling special education teacher resume involves showcasing a diverse set of skills essential for success in the role. Emphasize your proficiency in individualized instruction and ability to adapt different teaching methods to accommodate diverse learning needs.
Demonstrate soft skills like strong communication and collaboration while showcasing your expertise in behavior management and incorporate technical skills like Learning Management Systems (LMS), SmartBoards, and word processing applications.
The key here is to present a comprehensive skill set that reflects your commitment to providing quality education and support to students with special needs.
If you’re not sure about what keywords to include, peruse job postings and take note of the key phrases that appear in each job description.
Here is a list of key skills relevant to a special education teacher role:
Individualized instruction
IEP development
Behavior management
Differentiated learning
Inclusive education
Classroom adaptations
Microsoft Office
Smartboards
Pages
Promethean Boards
Utilizing proven SEI, math, and ELA methodologies
Establishing positive student, parent, and colleague relationships
Decreasing and replacing problematic classroom behavior
Lesson planning, child development, and student counseling
Create a productive learning environment
How to select the most impactful special education teacher resume template
When writing your special education teacher resume, it's crucial to ensure it is well-organized and refined. Employing a straightforward, easily readable layout facilitates recruiters in navigating your resume and grasping the core of your career narrative. An orderly resume not only demonstrates your skill in organizing information but also highlights your proficiency in presenting intricate special education teaching concepts with clarity.
Explore our vast selection of resume options tailored to your specific needs through our resume builder. Gain inspiration from our extensive collection of 500+ resume examples.
Copyable special education teacher resume example
Summary example
Accomplished teacher with expertise in Special Education, customized curriculum planning, and differentiated instruction to engage and inspire students of diverse abilities.
Employment history example
Special Education Teacher at Lyon County School District, Silver Springs Elementary School, Yerington, Nevada 2016 - Present
Provide quality and specialized instruction to students with various disabilities.
Implement IEP and lesson plan requirements for classrooms of up to 27 students.
Create a welcoming, encouraging, and supportive environment for all learners, and maintain classroom organization and order.
Assign and grade work. Monitor student progress and provide updates to general education teachers and caregivers.
Utilize tools such as SmartBoards, Promethean Boards, and electronic dictionaries to promote interactive learning.
Liaised with parents and students to determine placement and transition roadmaps, ensuring seamless transitions with minimal interruption or disruption to the student’s academics.
Leveraged extensive background and experience with special needs education to aid and advise the textbook committee in decision-making and purchase planning.
K-12 Substitute Teacher at Lyon County School District, Silver Springs Elementary School, Yerington, Nevada 2012 - 2016
Implemented individualized, comprehensive lesson plans to effectively educate students with a variety of special needs across all subjects and grades.
Collaborated with peers to provide parents with feedback on student progress and needs.
Utilized tools such as Smart Boards, Promethean Boards, and electronic dictionaries to improve learning outcomes.
Effectively managed classrooms and collected student data for future educational planning.
Gained experience in delivering instruction using Read 180 and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices.
Obtained specialized training in child development and needs-based training development for children with special needs.
Education example
Master of Arts in Special Education at Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Arizona
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Arizona
Program in Applied Behavior Analysis at Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL
Skills example
Microsoft Office
Smartboards
Pages
Promethean Boards
Utilizing proven SEI, math, and ELA methodologies
Establishing positive student, parent, and colleague relationships
Decreasing and replacing problematic classroom behavior
Lesson planning, child development, and student counseling
Create a productive learning environment
Key takeaways for writing a special education teacher resume
Organize your resume for a special education teaching role with clear sections: header, summary, experience, skills, and education.
Craft an engaging professional summary that highlights your distinctive strengths and expertise.
Present your past roles in reverse chronological order, providing succinct descriptions of each position along with notable achievements supported by measurable metrics where possible.
Highlight relevant educational credentials, certifications, or specialized training to emphasize your competence as a special education teacher.
Tailor your skills to align with special education teaching, seamlessly incorporating key phrases from job descriptions throughout your resume.
