What Makes a Special Education Teacher Effective? 10 Characteristics that Matter Most

Welcome back to the STAGES Learning Newsletter!?

Our bi-monthly newsletter helps you grow the capacity to support the autism community.

Are you, like many districts, hiring special education teachers?? In this edition of our newsletter, we help you assess candidates by highlighting 10 key traits that make special education teachers effective. From adaptability to discernment, learn what skills highly effective special educators have that help them navigate challenges and adapt to empower every student. Read on to explore the skills and dedication that shape success in special education.

1. Collaborative

A collaborative special education teacher is service-oriented and dedicated to the work done as a member of the learner’s academic team. Such instructors collaborate closely, consistently, and effectively with other specialists (including speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and early intervention providers) when developing individualized education plans (IEPs) for each student.?

Direct communication and active participation are essential aspects of collaboration for all team members working with autistic students. As such, special educators must maintain close partnerships with each professional on their students’ educational teams. By remaining open-minded and collaborative, special education instructors can proactively plan for the attainment of each learner’s academic goals while remaining dedicated to student progress and advocating for an enriching academic environment focused solely on meeting the needs, interests, and goals of each student.?

2. Research-Based?

Secondly, an effective special education teacher supports instructional strategies based on best practices in the current scientific literature. Research-based educators implement approaches that are consistent with evidence-based protocols and classroom management techniques to foster a unified community of success among learners.

Instructors should advocate for instructional programs that are backed by relevant academic studies, such as Comprehensive Treatment Models (CTMs). Examples of CMTs that autistic students may benefit from in the classroom setting include the LEAP approach, SCERTS model, Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), and/or TEACCH strategies--which are scientifically validated practices for managing classroom behavior and presenting instructional lessons to autistic learners.?A recent resource issued by the Autism Evidence & Practice Clearinghouse has a complete list of evidence-based practices for autistic children, youth, and young adults.

3. Innovative

Developing an innovative approach for managing classroom behavior while enhancing student achievement within the classroom environment is another key characteristic of effective special education teachers. By tracking, graphing, and analyzing each student’s progress over time, educators can implement individualized interventions to cultivate continued progress toward the goals of each learner. One tool that may be particularly helpful for tracking long-term academic gains is the Standard Celeration Chart, which presents the progress of each student in a consistent, individualized, and graphical format.?Using the best tools and supports for each student is important and at the same time, it can also be effective to adapt materials and try innovative approaches based on the personal needs of the student with whom you are working.

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4. Even-tempered

As autistic learners tend to present with behavior challenges, remaining calm, composed, and even-tempered is a fourth characteristic of an effective special education teacher. When handling difficult situations, those in charge must remain firm, focused, and consistent. Educators who maintain a personal repertoire of classroom management strategies will be better equipped to address challenging student behaviors and refrain from becoming overly permissive. It is important to not take things personally when a student is exhibiting challenging behaviors.?

5. Competent

Competent special education instructors excel in their efforts to assist students with learning differences by applying their professional knowledge in the context of classroom instruction. Remaining reasonable, competent, and dependable when handling everyday situations provides autistic learners with much-needed stability. Competence requires educators to stay up to date on current research, methods, trends, and evidence-based practices for classroom lesson plans. Promoting a positive and consistent learning environment helps students who thrive in structured settings achieve personal success.?

In short, competent instructors are assertive and recognize that autistic students may need additional time to process verbal directions. With this in mind, special education teachers should provide extra time and support (e.g., visual instructions, prompts, and/or guidance) as needed to help students process verbal information more fluently and efficiently.?

6. Perceptive??

Special educators must be in tune with the needs of each learner so that they can individualize classroom lesson plans and remain organized, attentive, and diligent. Research has found that autistic students tend to be over- or under-responsive to sensory input, and not all autistic children experience sensory input in the same way.

As a result, special education instructors should be perceptive of the varying needs of each student in their classroom on a daily basis. Some learners may be sensory seekers, requiring rich sensory input, while others actively avoid sensory input and become easily overstimulated by bright lights, loud noises, and certain textures.?

7. Consistent

Consistency is essential for many students with learning differences. Therefore, it is important to ensure that educational environments for autistic students are carefully coordinated across all academic settings. ?

Giving clear instructions and setting concrete classroom rules is one way that special educators can provide consistency. For example, creating a set daily schedule may help learners transition more smoothly from one activity to the next. Efforts should also be made to stick with established routines and only make changes when absolutely necessary.

6. Perceptive??

Special educators must be in tune with the needs of each learner so that they can individualize classroom lesson plans and remain organized, attentive, and diligent. Research has found that autistic students tend to be over- or under-responsive to sensory input, and not all autistic children experience sensory input in the same way.

As a result, special education instructors should be perceptive of the varying needs of each student in their classroom on a daily basis. Some learners may be sensory seekers, requiring rich sensory input, while others actively avoid sensory input and become easily overstimulated by bright lights, loud noises, and certain textures.?

7. Consistent

Consistency is essential for many students with learning differences. Therefore, it is important to ensure that educational environments for autistic students are carefully coordinated across all academic settings. ?

Giving clear instructions and setting concrete classroom rules is one way that special educators can provide consistency. For example, creating a set daily schedule may help learners transition more smoothly from one activity to the next. Efforts should also be made to stick with established routines and only make changes when absolutely necessary.

→ Click here to continue reading about the characteristics of an effective special education teacher!

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