How to become a special education teacher, preschool
Teach academic, social, and life skills to preschool-aged 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.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not..A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
What special education teachers, preschool do
- Develop or implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of disabilities.
- Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, or administrative regulations.
- Attend to children's basic needs by feeding them, dressing them, or changing their diapers.
- Prepare classrooms with a variety of materials or resources for children to explore, manipulate, or use in learning activities or imaginative play.
- Read books to entire classes or to small groups.
- Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, or other professionals to develop individual education plans (IEPs).
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Learning Strategies
- Monitoring
- Active Learning
- Writing
Is special education teacher, preschool a good career?
On the numbers, this job pays above the typical job. Median pay is 27% above the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- Massachusetts $99,070
- New Jersey $92,060
- Connecticut $87,960
- Washington $86,580
- Maryland $85,010
Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary by state and city
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.