What Kind of International Special Education Jobs Are Available?

intljob Special education is one of the most rapidly growing careers in the United States, Canada and many other countries. (I had special education teachers myself when I was in high school; I am what you call I high-functioning autistic. It is amazing that such a person can write an article such as this one.) This article will deal specifically with international careers in the field of special education.

Teaching overseas

Handicapped children live in every nation in the world, so an individual who has a certificate in special education can find a job almost anywhere that he or she searches. According to the State Department, there are two main types of special education jobs open to the international teacher: that of the general teacher, and that of the tutor who works with children living in areas where the special education programs at the schools are not enough to suit their needs.

The Department of State has two teaching programs for those who would like to go into special education abroad. One is the FAST TRAIN (Foreign Affairs Spouses Teacher Training Project) program, which began as a collaboration among three different institutions: the Office of Overseas Schools (part of the State Department), the Virginia State Department of Education and George Mason University. Special education is one of two certificate programs offered by FAST TRAIN (the other being in international business). A training program for tutoring the learning disabled is also available each fall from the Lab School of Washington, a small private school for disabled students in all grades.

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The FAST TRAIN program

At FAST TRAIN, the training program for becoming a special education teacher abroad is one that leads to an M.Ed. (Master of Education) degree. It consists, first, of five core courses with a total of twelve credit hours:

  1. Education and Culture: teaches how to analyze educational contexts and extend strategies to address “puzzlements” in the practices of students
  2. Inquiry into Practice: fosters “systematic and thoughtful inquiry” into the practices of the classroom
  3. How Students Learn: how to increase the ability of students to learn by studying a variety of learning systems and understand each student “in the context of the learning process itself”
  4. Designing and Assessing Teaching and Learning: developing strategies in the curriculum and teaching process in response to what the students both need and in what they are interested; also covers the ways of knowing brought by teachers into the classroom
  5. Educational Change: examines the various factors that influence changes in educational systems on all levels, from federal to classroom; helps students reflect on their own learning experiences

Then there are numerous specialization courses which total eighteen credit hours, divided among the following areas of concentration:

  • Applied Behavior Analysis: The titles of five of the seven courses in this area include the course name followed by a colon (Principles, Procedures and Philosophy; Empirical Bases; Assessments and Interventions; Applications; and Verbal Behavior).
  • Assistive Technology (There are two programs in this area, each including a slightly different set of courses.)
  • Teaching Students with Autism: Students with this condition typically have a limited ability to relate socially to other people but may possess special skills such as an ability to memorize various lists (I memorized all the states, capitals, U. S. presidents and chemical elements when I was eleven!).
  • Visual Impairments Licensure, PK-12
  • Students with Disabilities who Access the General Curriculum Concentration
  • Students with Disabilities who Access the Accepted Curriculum Concentration

Some of the courses are offered only during the spring, summer or fall.

Lab School of Washington

The lab operates under the belief that each student, despite his or her handicap, is capable of achieving great things and gears every aspect of its teaching process towards accomplishing that end. There is a global learning program here in which students discover discover the food, music and customs of other nations and study poets and other writers from around the world. A study program is also included, and students have gone to China, Ecuador, France and other places.

Written By Treasures

What are the Highest Paying Jobs in Special Education?

caerersjobsMany people are motivated to work with special-needs students due to their sincere desire to enrich the quality of their lives. When considering a career, however, many believe that in addition to personal fulfillment, there are other factors to consider like salary.

Earning a decent living is especially important in today’s tough economy. Many professionals working in the field of special education spend years getting college degrees and completing  licensing requirements, and then continue their studies within specialized certifications and advanced educational/training programs. But ultimately, people do the job because they love it, not for the money. That being said, some jobs pay more than others. And any of these rewarding careers will ensure individuals get to do what they love while still being able to make ends meet, paying back student loans and building a future in education.

Speech-language Pathologist

Speech-language pathologists, also known as speech therapists, assess, diagnose and treat students with speech and communication disorders. Special education professionals interested in this field must earn a master’s degree in speech and language pathology.

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An education typically takes about six years to complete and includes classes in special needs, speech disorders and alternative modes of communication. In most states, speech and language pathologists must obtain a license. In addition, they seek certification through accrediting bodies such as American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

The median annual salary for speech and language pathologists was $79,120 for 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The job outlook for 2019-2029 projects growth of 25%, or 40,500 jobs, which is much faster than average.

Featured Programs To Qualify As Speech and Language Pathologists

  1. The Top 10 Master’s of Speech Pathology Degree Programs
  2. The Utah State University’s Online Bachelor of Communication Disorders
  3. Top 10 Bachelors of Communicative Disorders Degree Programs
  4. Top 10 Special Education Masters Degree Programs
  5. Top 10 Special Education Masters Degree Programs Online
  6. Top 15 Accredited Special Education Masters Degree Programs Online

Educational Audiologist

After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in special education, some students decide to spend another four years in college, learning to work with hearing impaired students. Educational audiologists typically hold a doctorate in audiology. Typical coursework includes anatomy, physiology and communication development.

As of 2013, all states required educational audiologists to earn a license. Typically, they also seek certification through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or the American Board of Audiology to add to their credibility and fulfill part of their licensing requirements. Educational audiologists visit students at school and take referrals in their clinics to assess clients’ degree of hearing loss and help manage hearing disabilities in the classroom.

Educational audiologists earned a median annual salary of $77,600 as of May 2019, according to the BLS. Job outlook projections are positive for the next decade as more audiologists will be needed as the Baby Boomer generation ages. BLS projects growth at 13 percent from 2019 to 2029.

Featured Programs To Qualify As Educational Audiologists

  1. University of Western Kentucky’s Online Masters in Speech Language Pathology
  2. Top 15 Accredited Online Special Education Doctoral Degree Programs of 2016
  3. Top 15 Accredited Schools Online Offering Doctoral Degrees In Special Education
  4. Top 10 Online Special Education Certificate Programs
  5. Top 10 Doctor of Audiology (AuD) Degrees

Special Education Teacher

Special education teachers work with children with a wide range of disabilities including autism, emotional disorder, behavioral disorder, learning disability or speech disorder. To become a special education teacher, you’ll need to earn your bachelor’s degree in education, special education or a specialized field, such as math or biology. During college, you’ll also complete fieldwork, including student teaching. Every state requires public special education teachers to have a license, which typically requires providing certified evidence you completed your degree and passing an examination.

The median pay for special education teachers as of 2019 was $61,030, according to the BLS. Salary greatly depends on the grade level an individual teachers with teachers at the secondary level typically making more than at the elementary level. The BLS estimates 3% employment growth during the decade from 2019 to 2029, but Education Week said that 17% of special education teachers left the field from 2008 to 2018.

Featured Programs To Qualify As Special Education Teachers

  1. Western Governor’s Online Bachelor’s of Arts in Special Education
  2. Top 10 Special Education Masters Degree Programs
  3. Top 10 Special Education Masters Degree Programs Online
  4. Top 15 Accredited Special Education Masters Degree Programs Online

Adaptive Special Education Teacher

Adaptive special education teachers enjoy helping people with disabilities overcome their challenges to achieve physical goals. These professionals develop, implement and monitor a special needs student’s physical education program.

Approximately 13 states require adaptive special education teachers to have a separate license in addition to a teaching degree. While requirements vary by state, typically you have to demonstrate taking a certain number of semester hours in adaptive physical education and pass an examination. Once you are hired, adaptive special education teachers must follow the adapted physical education national standards.

As of 2021, the average salary for adaptive special education teachers was $45,726, according to Glassdoor.

Featured Programs To Qualify As Adaptive Special Education Teachers

Early Intervention Specialist

If you’re interested in helping small children with disabilities, consider parlaying your special education career into a rewarding career as an early intervention specialist. These special education professionals work with children and young adults to diffuse crises, help problem-solve before a situation escalates and teach new skills. You’ll focus on problems including academic difficulties, teen pregnancy and behavioral issues.

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After achieving your certification as a special education teacher, earn your certificate in early intervention by taking a college course, which is typically about 15-20 semester hours. This training typically requires an internship. As of 2021, the median salary for early intervention specialists was $61,172, according to Glassdoor.

Featured Programs To Qualify As Early Intervention Specialists

Special Education Teacher Qualifications, Employment Requirements, Work Environment, and Salary

jobmagnifiedSpecial education is considered a specialized career field within the realm of education. Though working as a professional in the field of special education is a demanding career choice, it can be very fulfilling and rewarding. The increasing demand for licensed special education teachers within schools and organizations provides qualified graduates with plenty of employment options. Those who aspire to change the lives of individuals with disabilities combined with the motivation to complete the required education and certification yields a stable career and respectable salary.

Education and Certification

Special education teachers require a degree in education or a similar career field and then a specialization in special education. It is common for teachers to obtain a bachelor’s degree in education and then a master’s degree in special education.

Coursework for special education is similar to that of other teaching fields with special emphasis on behavioral, learning and physical disorders in children. Special education teachers will also take additional classes dealing with legality surrounding special needs students, including the additional responsibilities of services , IEP (individual education plans) and reporting practices.

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Teaching degrees commonly end with no less than two semesters of student teaching. Student teaching is similar to an unpaid internship when a student will work in the classroom under the supervision of a licensed teacher. Most special education teachers complete three sets of student teaching experience comprised of two sets in a traditional classroom and one set in a special education classroom.

Special education teachers may also choose to specialize in a specific area of disability, such as speech and language pathology.

Special education teachers are licensed by the department of education in the state where they are employed. State requirements for licensure vary, but generally an appropriate degree with specialization is required in addition to passing state skills tests.

Job Requirements and Work Environment

Special education teachers commonly work in public or private school settings. Their salary is based on regular school hours, but they will do a variety of tasks beyond working with students. These include meeting with parents and other teachers and specialists. They may also do home visits. The amount of paperwork associated with special education should not be underestimated. Each child in a special education environment will have an accompanying IEP which may range from a few dozen pages to hundreds of pages in length. The teacher will be required to read and review each IEP in its entirety. The IEP is a legally binding document that the teacher is expected to follow, report on and update periodically.

Students in a special education situation will require individualized and modified teaching strategies and lessons. Special education teachers may also be called on to support general education teachers in the classroom in cases where students with special needs have been mainstreamed, or placed into general education classrooms on a part time or regular basis. Mainstreaming is a common occurrence in today’s classrooms.

Special education teachers should be prepared to work on teams regularly. They may be paired with other specialized teachers and may be assigned to manage one or multiple classroom aides. They will regularly meet with teams assigned to their student’s cases.

Special education teachers should be extremely organized, detail oriented, patient and flexible. They may manage large caseloads of thirty students or more. They will also be dealing with a variety of behavior issues at once, and will need to be able to carefully and appropriately handle each child.

Salary and Job Outlook

The median annual salary of special education teachers in 2010 was $53,220. This is slightly higher than the salary of general education elementary teachers, which was $51,380. These values are strongly determined by state budgets with some states which pay more, or dramatically less, than the median salary range. Wage is also influenced by the budget of each school district and the teacher’s personal education and experience. Master’s degree teachers will earn more than those with only a bachelor’s degree even if they hold the same position in the same school. Teacher wages commonly increase for each year of experience in a district.

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Most teachers are hired on a contractual basis with a goal to achieve tenure with a school district. A tenured teacher has incredible job security and is extremely difficult to legally fire. Tenure requirements vary, but they are usually based on a combination of job performance review and years of experience with a district.

The job outlook for special education teachers is very good compared with that of elementary general education teachers. The legal requirements surrounding special education hold districts to much stricter standards regarding class sizes and the availability of special education services. This ensures that special education teachers are always in high demand, even in districts that may not be hiring general education teachers.

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