Imagine a career where you can empower students with diverse learning needs through tailored educational experiences. As a special education or inclusion teacher, you'll make a lasting impact on individual lives and also discover rich opportunities for your own professional growth and leadership development.
Diverse opportunities in special education
Whether you're passionate about working in early childhood, supporting at-risk youth or helping students overcome unique challenges, special education provides a path for you to make a difference every day while continually growing as an educator.
The Department of Education offers opportunities for special education and inclusion teachers in a variety of learning environments, including:
- special schools
- inclusive mainstream classrooms
- Early Childhood Development Programs (ECDPs) for early intervention
- hospital schools
- detention centres for youth
- pathway colleges that help disengaged students complete their education.
‘The Queensland Children's Hospital School is a school with multiple locations across the state, and all of those locations are a little bit different. We have students from Kindy to 21 years old. Some of those are short stays on a ward – it could be a couple of days, right up to about a year. Each setting is quite a different place.’
– Nathan Rye, Head of Campus, Queensland Children’s Hospital School
The scope of the role is a little different
As an inclusion teacher, your primary role is to support classroom teachers by enabling students with disabilities to engage in learning alongside their peers.
As a teacher in a special school, the role expands to delivering specialised learning programs that align with each student's Individual Curriculum Plan (ICP). These programs are designed to meet diverse needs, addressing not only academic goals but also students' social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development.
Heads of Special Education Services (HOSES) are responsible for special education units or classes delivering educational services to students with disability.
‘In a special school, you have that smaller group, so you really get to know the students well. That's one of the best parts about the job – really understanding what that student needs to unlock their potential… unlock what it is that's going to give that student the best opportunity to succeed.’
– Jeffrey Watts, Deputy Principal-Special, Calamvale Special School
Qualifications and experience: It's not what you think
At their core, all teachers cater to diverse learning needs in their classrooms, so a standard teaching degree provides an excellent foundation for the support mechanisms schools provide to teachers entering this specific learning context. In fact, many successful special education teachers come from diverse backgrounds, and contrary to popular belief, a specialised degree in special education is not always necessary to excel in this field.
The most crucial qualities of a special education or inclusion teacher are a genuine desire to learn and a commitment to supporting students with diverse needs.
‘Some of our teachers hold formal qualifications in special education, but many highly effective educators in special education settings do not. Instead, they possess broader teaching qualifications and successfully adapt those skills to meet the needs of their students. All teachers continue to build their knowledge and expertise through on-the-job experience and ongoing professional development, both on site and through external opportunities provided by our department.’
– Sheldon Boland, Principal, Caboolture Special School
Growth and professional development
The special education and inclusion field provides many opportunities to develop your skills and progress your career. Teachers are encouraged to continuously learn and enhance their skills, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a rewarding and dynamic career trajectory.
'Special schools offer a huge variety of induction and ongoing mentoring processes. Leadership team members at my school focus on supporting early career teachers and teachers new to special education settings. This looks like leaders walking alongside early career teachers in the classroom through an instructional coaching framework, modelling lessons, watching others work and a variety of capability building strategies. This is not a one-off induction, it's an ongoing process.'
– Rachel Dougherty, Principal, Western Suburbs State Special School.
Read more from Rachel.
Why choose special education?
Special education is more than just a job – it's a calling. It offers the chance to make a profound difference in students' lives while continually growing as an educator and person.
If you're ready for a rewarding challenge that will push you to be your best self, it's time to explore the world of special education.
‘Making the switch to special education can be daunting, however it is the most rewarding career on so many levels. My advice for you would be to speak to your local special school, visit and do a tour, visit the classrooms, volunteer for a day or two, do some relief days. Network with teachers who are already in this sector.’
– Chanel Glover, Teacher, Goodna Special School
Your perfect fit might be waiting for you in the diverse and rewarding world of special education.
Take the first step today