Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School

• Develop or implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of disabilities.
• 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).
• Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, or administrative regulations.
• Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification or positive reinforcement.
• Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
• Modify the general kindergarten or elementary education curriculum for special-needs students.
• Confer with parents, guardians, teachers, counselors, or administrators to resolve students' behavioral or academic problems.
• Employ special educational strategies or techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, or memory.
• Monitor teachers or teacher assistants to ensure adherence to special education program requirements.
• Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
• Prepare classrooms with a variety of materials or resources for children to explore, manipulate, or use in learning activities or imaginative play.
• 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.
• Prepare, administer, or grade tests or assignments to evaluate students' progress.
• Establish and communicate clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects to students.
• Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
• Provide assistive devices, supportive technology, or assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
• Encourage students to explore learning opportunities or persevere with challenging tasks to prepare them for later grades.
• Teach students personal development skills, such as goal setting, independence, or self-advocacy.
• Coordinate placement of students with special needs into mainstream classes.
• Interpret the results of standardized tests to determine students' strengths and areas of need.
• Collaborate with other teachers or administrators to develop, evaluate, or revise kindergarten or elementary school programs.
• Confer with other staff members to plan or schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.
• Guide or counsel students with adjustment problems, academic problems, or special academic interests.
• Prepare objectives, outlines, or other materials for courses of study following curriculum guidelines or school or state requirements.
• Organize and display students' work in a manner appropriate for their perceptual skills.
• Plan or conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
• Prepare assignments for teacher assistants or volunteers.
• Present information in audio-visual or interactive formats, using computers, televisions, audio-visual aids, or other equipment, materials, or technologies.
• Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment or materials to prevent injuries and damage.
• Administer standardized ability and achievement tests to kindergarten or elementary students with special needs.
• Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, or teacher training workshops to maintain or improve professional competence.
• Organize and supervise games or other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, or social development.
• Control the inventory or distribution of classroom equipment, materials, or supplies.
• Plan or supervise experiential learning activities, such as class projects, field trips, demonstrations, or visits by guest speakers.
• Perform administrative duties, such as assisting in school libraries, hall or cafeteria monitoring, or bus loading or unloading.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School.

• Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School.