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Table of contents

Special education teacher resume examples
More teaching resume examples
Choose a resume format for your special education teacher resume
How to write a special education teacher resume in 5 simple steps
Add a cover letter
Key takeaways for your special education teacher resume
Frequently asked questions from job seekers

It takes a special kind of person to work in special education. From compassionate instruction to supporting your students’ complex needs, you know better than anyone that a special education teacher’s work is rewarding but rarely easy. For someone who works as hard as you do, your resume shouldn’t be a hassle. We’re here to help you write a resume that works hard for you without the stress!

Putting all of your teaching skills onto a resume might seem impossible, but it’s easier than you think. Our guide will help you learn how to write a resume that showcases your skills and passion.

This guide will show you:

Special education teacher resume examples for different levels of experience.
What makes a great special education teacher resume example.
Proven strategies for writing a job-winning resume in 2024.
What to include in each section of your special education teacher resume.
How to select the ideal resume format and design for the position.

To make a special education teacher resume even faster, try our Resume Maker. Our Resume Builder provides results-backed tips, writing suggestions and formatting help so that you can have a professional-quality resume in minutes.

Now, let’s look at some special education teacher resume samples for different stages in your teaching career.

Special education teacher resume examples

Entry-level special education teacher resume example

Resume entry level example special education teacher

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What makes this a great special education teacher resume sample?

Focuses on goals
This sample special ed teacher resume uses a career objective to emphasize the candidate’s career goals instead of using this section to summarize experience.
Emphasizes strengths
The candidate in this case has less experience, so he uses a functional resume first that dedicates more space to his skills.
Shows style and substance
The template that the candidate for this special ed teacher resume example chose is colorful and eye-catching at an appropriate level for a special education teacher. It adds liveliness and character without distracting from his qualifications.

Experienced special education teacher resume example

Resume experienced example special education teacher

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What makes this a great special education teacher resume sample?

Focuses on experience
This candidate has significant special education experience, so she’s using the chronological format to structure her resume around her experience.
Uses active language
Throughout this candidate’s work history, she uses verbs like “developed” and “conducted” to describe her experience so that it feels more real and impactful
Features hard and soft skills
Compassion and behaviour management skills are just as important as IEP implementation and lesson planning. This special education teacher lists both hard and soft skills, showing how well-rounded she is as an educator.

More teaching resume examples

Looking for help writing a resume for a different teaching job? Check out our other resume examples for more inspiration.

Browse other popular samples

Free Special Education Teacher Cover Letter Templates

Teacher Cover Letter Examples

Related Guides & Tips

Choose a resume format for your special education teacher resume

Your resume format is the layout that you choose to organize your information. This might not seem important, but different formats give more attention to different aspects of your career. This means that choosing the right resume format is a big part of putting your best foot forward and showcasing your qualifications.

These are the three resume formats successful job seekers use:

Chronological: This is the best format for senior-level roles because it places the greatest emphasis on experience.
Functional: This format is ideal for candidates with little to no experience because it focuses on skills instead of experience.
Combination: This format is excellent for midcareer applicants because it strikes a nice balance between skills and experience.

Now that you’ve chosen the perfect resume format, check out our resume-formatting guide for tips on font size, spacing, margins and more.

Next, let’s work on styling your resume!

Select an appropriate special education teacher resume template

Create your resume

Much like formats, resume templates help you organize your information. Your resume template is the visual design that your resume uses. A great special education teacher resume template should add some visual appeal to your resume without becoming a distraction.

There are many different resume template styles. For special education teachers, most resume design templates are appropriate. If you want to convey individuality, a creative or modern template could be perfect. For something a bit more conservative, a simple template is a great way to go back to basics.

Now that you’ve picked the best special education teacher resume template, it’s time to start writing!

How to write a special education teacher resume in 5 simple steps

Writing a special education teacher resume shouldn’t be difficult. All you need to do is follow our five simple steps for building a winning resume!

Step 1

Study the special education teacher job description

If you aren’t sure where to start writing your resume, begin with the job listing! Keep an eye out for keywords that you can include to tailor your resume to match exactly what your potential employer is looking for.

To tailor your resume, identify the skills, experience and expertise the employer is looking for that match your credentials — these are the keywords they’ll be looking for in applications. Ensure you mention the specific criteria they’re after throughout your resume.

Many organizations use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes for keywords. This means that keywords can help your resume beat the ATS screening process and make it into the right person’s hands.

Step 2

Write a professional summary or resume objective

Now that you’ve studied the job listing, it’s time to introduce yourself. Your resume profile introduces your career and lets recruiters know what to expect from the rest of your resume.

A professional summary is a resume profile that acts as a short summary of your career so far and the things that you’ve accomplished. This is the resume profile of choice for experienced job seekers.

A special ed teacher resume objective, on the other hand, allows less experienced candidates to introduce themselves by discussing their goals for their professional development and their transferable skills.

Now that you know the difference between a resume objective and a professional summary, let’s look at some examples!

Special education teacher professional summary example:

Seasoned special education teacher with nine years of experience in creating inclusive learning environments for students with diverse needs. Skilled in individualized instruction, behaviour management, and IEP development and implementation. Proven track record for collaborating effectively with parents, therapists and general education teachers to promote student success. Passionate about helping each child reach their full potential through creative learning strategies and a compassionate approach. Committed to fostering an atmosphere where students can develop both academically and emotionally.

Special education teacher resume objective example:

Recently licensed special education teacher with two years of experience as a teaching assistant. Eager to leverage my knowledge, passion and practical experience to make a positive impact on students with special needs. Skilled at creating engaging lesson plans, implementing individualized education programs and fostering a nurturing classroom environment. Seeking to utilize my newfound credentials to transition into a special education teaching role where I can facilitate positive student outcomes while forging professional relationships and growing as an educator.

Now that you’ve introduced yourself, let’s work on describing your teaching skills!

Step 3

Highlight your most relevant special education teacher skills

The skills section of your resume is vital. This is where you show potential employers what you can do. A special education teacher should be well-rounded with a healthy mix of soft skills, like patience and flexibility, as well as hard skills, like child psychology and learning technologies.

Below is a list of hard and soft special education teacher skills that you can incorporate into your resume skills section.

Hard and soft skills for a special education teacher resume

Hard Skills

Lesson planning
Classroom management
Educational software
Early childhood development
First aid/CPR
Emotional regulation technique

Soft Skills

Compassion
Patience
Communication
Resourcefulness
Resilience
Enthusiasm

Here is an example of a strong special education teacher skills section:

Passion for special education
Active listening
Empathy
Effective lesson planning
Early childhood development
Rapport building with parents

Step 4

Write a strong special education teacher work experience section

The work history section of your resume is where you should describe your past experience and the responsibilities and core competencies that you’ve handled in the past. This is where you show your potential employer that you know how to put your skills to work!

Here’s a sample special education teacher resume experience section:

Special Education Teacher, Marie Curie Elementary School
Ludlow, VT
August 2018 – July 2022

Developed and implemented individualized education programs (IEPs) for over 100 students with diverse learning needs, improving overall student progress by 30%.
Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team of therapists, general education teachers and parents to create holistic learning plans for each student.
Demonstrated expertise in various teaching strategies, including differentiation, multisensory learning and behavior management techniques.
Conducted quarterly IEP meetings with parents and school administrators, discussing student progress and modifying teaching strategies as needed.
Organized and led inclusive classroom activities that promoted social skills development and fostered a supportive learning environment.
Implemented assistive technology tools to enhance the students’ access to the curriculum and improve their engagement and learning outcomes.

Pro tip

Instead of repetitive filler words like “responsible for,” use action words to give momentum and impact to your work experience.

Step 5

Showcase your education and training on your special education teacher resume

Education and training are crucial to your teaching career. Use the education section of your resume to share your credentials with potential employers.

Most special education teachers will be required to list a bachelor’s degree. For some special education teachers, further education in child psychology, education or development may be necessary. As you know, teachers must also be licensed in their state. You may list your license here or under a separate section for certifications.

How to list your special education teacher education:

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education
The University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ
Graduated: May 2014

License:

State Teaching License in Special Education, GHI State Department of Education, 2016

Pro tip

For many jobs, certifications are a nice bonus, but they are much more important for teachers. As a special education teacher you probably hold more than one certification or license. Thus, it might be a good idea to give these credentials their own section.

Optional sections for your special education teacher resume

Awards and certifications

Certifications and awards should be given their own space to shine when you have more than one. List any relevant awards and certifications in this section to show employers what you can do!

How to list licenses and certifications on your special education teacher resume:

Special Education Teacher Certification, American Board, 2020: Earned through the completion of the state-approved teaching certification program.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Certification: Earned through demonstrating competency in ABA therapy.

Projects

While special education teachers may not participate in the kinds of projects that other careers do, a projects section can still be a good fit if you’ve accomplished certain things that don’t fit neatly under work history. Training teaching assistants or writing a new curriculum might fit under this section. That’s up to you to judge!

How to list projects on your special education teacher resume:

Projects

Designed and implemented an initiative to promote inclusivity within mainstream classrooms, resulting in a 20% increase in the successful integration of special education students.
Developed a program to improve communication and collaboration between parents and teachers, leading to more consistent support for students across home and school environments.
Spearheaded a project to incorporate multisensory learning strategies into the curriculum, increasing student engagement and improving academic outcomes.

Languages

Communication and empathy are core tenets of special education and education in general. If you have the ability to speak multiple languages, that means that you have a major advantage when it comes to communication. Include any languages that you speak on your resume to make the most of your multilingual ability.

How to list languages on your special education teacher resume:

Fluent in English and Spanish
Proficient in Korean

Interests and hobbies

Hobbies and interests can provide your potential employer with insights into who you are as a person. You might be surprised to learn that some of your hobbies even help show off essential soft skills for special education teachers. So long as they are relevant and appropriate to the job, there’s no harm in including your hobbies and interests in a special section of your resume.

But, make sure the hobbies that you include are relevant and appropriate for the position.

How to list interests and hobbies on your special education teacher resume:

Avid reader with an interest in fostering a love of reading in students.
Passionate about mindfulness meditation.
Interested in the outdoors and physical fitness.

Add a cover letter

Cover letter example special education teacher

Create your cover letter

Congratulations! You’ve finished your resume. Now it’s time to start writing a cover letter. Doing even more writing might feel like the last thing you want to do right now, but a great cover letter is an opportunity that you don’t want to pass up. And, even better, it’s not as hard as you think!

To get started writing your cover letter, take a look at some cover letter examples and our handy formatting guide to learn the basics.

If writing your cover letter still seems like a hassle, check out our Cover Letter Builder. This tool incorporates your information into its professionally written and formatted text to provide you with a customized cover letter in just minutes.

Key takeaways for your special education teacher resume

Make your resume ATS-friendly

Your institution might be using applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen applicant resumes for keywords. Even if this isn’t the case, studying the listing and incorporating keywords is a great way to get started with a resume that’s customized for the position.
Organize your sections effectively

The layout that you choose doesn’t just make your resume readable, it also helps you play to your strengths. Choose a format that suits your skills and experience level.
Select a suitable design

Your resume template should be visually appealing without distracting from your professional qualifications. Less is more, so choose something with character without overdoing it!
Show off a range of skills

Hard skills, like lesson planning and child psychology, are essential for special education teachers. But, as a teacher, you know how important it is to be well-rounded. Don’t forget to list your soft skills, like empathy and patience.
Personalize your application

Nobody wants to read overused resume filler. Try to replace unnecessary buzzwords with active verbs that convey confidence and impact. Check out our example special ed teacher resumes to see how action words can uplift your experience.
Highlight your impact

Just like active verbs, numerical data can make your accomplishments feel more concrete. Don’t just tell, use the numbers to show what you can do!
Go above and beyond

A great cover letter is the final ingredient to take a fantastic resume to the next level. Use your cover letter to seal the deal and win that perfect position!

Frequently asked questions from job seekers

Last Updated: July 07, 2024

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Hailey Brophy is an experienced writer with a diverse career in digital publication. She is passionate about using her unique skills and experiences to help job seekers find the information that they need to succeed.