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Career Profile

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School

What they do:

Teach academic, social, and life skills to secondary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

Also Called:

Career and Transition Teacher, High School Special Education Teacher, Interrelated Special Education Teacher, Learning Disabilities Special Education Teacher (LD Special Education Teacher), Learning Support Teacher, Resource Teacher, Special Day Class Teacher (SDC Teacher), Special Education Resource Teacher, Special Education Teacher, Teacher, Career and Transition Teacher, High School Special Education Teacher, Interrelated Special Education Teacher, Learning Disabilities Special Education Teacher (LD Special Education Teacher), Learning Support Teacher, Resource Teacher, Special Day Class Teacher (SDC Teacher), Special Education Resource Teacher, Special Education Teacher, Teacher

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Employment Data

*State data provided by O*NET & BLS
Compare State Data      Compare Metro Area Data   
$60,240
Starting Salary (2025)
$66,440
Median Salary (2025)
-1.6%
Projected Job Growth
2,670
TX Employment (2025)

Typical Tasks

Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.
Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine priorities for their children and their resource needs.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Social
Working with people
Investigative
Studying, Research based work
Artistic
Conceptual, Creative Work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Dependability
Stress Tolerance
Concern for Others
Cooperation
Integrity
Adaptability/Flexibility

What key skills are needed for this job?

Learning Strategies
Speaking
Instructing
Service Orientation
Social Perceptiveness
Writing

Expected Knowledge

English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Common Activities

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Coaching and Developing Others

Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Education & Preparation

Some occupations may require additional education, advanced degrees, and years of experience in the field.
Talk to your support team on campus about this career pathway and additional degree information.
Job Zone 4

Considerable Preparation Needed

Education

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Typical Education Required

Education a new hire may need

  • Bachelor's degree 65%
  • Post-baccalaureate certificate 18%
  • Master's degree 16%
  • Associate's degree 1%
  • Professional degree 0%
Source: O*NET Education, Training & Experience data

Related Careers

Special Education Teachers, Elementary School
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten
Special Education Teachers, Middle School
Teaching Assistants, Special Education
Special Education Teachers, Preschool

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*Data on career profiles are based on information supplied by the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration.