Occupation: Special Education Teachers, Preschool

Special Education Teachers, 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.

25-2051.00 | 36 tasks | 10 job titles
Reported Job Titles (10)
  • Early Childhood Special Education Teacher (ECSE Teacher)
  • Early Intervention Teacher
  • Exceptional Student Education Teacher (ESE Teacher)
  • Handicapped Teacher
  • Preschool Special Education Teacher
  • Resource Teacher
  • Severe/Profound Mental Handicaps Special Education Teacher
  • Special Education Resource Teacher
  • Special Education Teacher
  • Teacher
Core Tasks (34)
  • Employ special educational strategies or techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, or memory.
  • Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification or positive reinforcement.
  • Communicate nonverbally with children to provide them with comfort, encouragement, or positive reinforcement.
  • Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, or social skills, to preschool students with special needs.
  • Develop individual educational plans (IEPs) designed to promote students' educational, physical, or social development.
  • Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, or other professionals to develop individual education plans (IEPs).
  • Teach students personal development skills, such as goal setting, independence, or self-advocacy.
  • Develop or implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of disabilities.
  • Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
  • Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment or materials to prevent injuries and damage.
  • Administer tests to help determine children's developmental levels, needs, or potential.
  • Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
  • 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.
  • Monitor teachers or teacher assistants to ensure adherence to special education program requirements.
  • Encourage students to explore learning opportunities or persevere with challenging tasks to prepare them for later grades.
  • Meet with parents or guardians to discuss their children's progress, advise them on using community resources, or teach skills for dealing with students' impairments.
  • Confer with parents, guardians, teachers, counselors, or administrators to resolve students' behavioral or academic problems.
  • Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, or administrative regulations.
  • Establish and communicate clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects to students, parents, or guardians.
  • Modify the general preschool curriculum for students with disabilities.
  • Provide assistive devices, supportive technology, or assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
  • Organize and supervise games or other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, or social development.
  • Prepare objectives, outlines, or other materials for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements.
  • Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, or teacher training workshops to maintain or improve professional competence.
  • Read books to entire classes or to small groups.
  • Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
  • Arrange indoor or outdoor space to facilitate creative play, motor-skill activities, or safety.
  • Organize and display students' work in a manner appropriate for their perceptual skills.
  • Present information in audio-visual or interactive formats, using computers, television, audio-visual aids, or other equipment, materials, or technologies.
  • Collaborate with other teachers or administrators to develop, evaluate, or revise preschool programs.
  • Plan and supervise experiential learning activities, such as class projects, field trips, or demonstrations.
  • Prepare assignments for teacher assistants or volunteers.
  • Control the inventory or distribution of classroom equipment, materials, or supplies.
Supplemental Tasks (2)
  • Coordinate placement of students with special needs into mainstream classes.
  • Serve meals or snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines.