Special education teachers for kindergarten work with young students who have disabilities or developmental delays. You create individualized learning plans, adapt classroom materials, and collaborate with families and specialists. This role requires a bachelor's degree and state certification.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
You teach kindergarten students with disabilities or special needs, tailoring instruction to each child's abilities and goals. You develop individualized education plans, modify lessons and materials, assess student progress, and keep detailed records. You communicate regularly with parents, school counselors, and other specialists to coordinate support. You manage classroom behavior, create an inclusive learning environment, and use evidence-based teaching strategies. You may work in a separate classroom or co-teach in a general education setting.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten earn a median of $65,120 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is softer here. Employment is projected to fall 2 percent from 2024 to 2034, though there are still about 15,400 openings a year from turnover.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You need a bachelor's degree in special education or education with a special education focus. During your degree program, you will complete coursework in child development, special education law, assessment, and teaching methods. You will also complete student teaching under supervision. After graduation, you must earn state certification or licensure in special education, which typically involves passing an exam. Requirements vary by state, so check your state's education department for specific pathways and timelines.
Most paths to this career start with a bachelor's degree in special education. The specific route depends on your state's requirements and whether you already hold a teaching license, so Pathly can map the special education teacher, kindergarten path that fits you with your school counselor to map out the steps that fit your situation.
Many special education teacher, kindergartens must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You are drawn to working directly with people, supporting their growth and solving problems together. You find meaning in helping others succeed and building strong relationships.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).