Special Education Teachers, Middle School
The short answer
Parts of this job are expected to change. AI can already assist with some of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to hold steady over the next decade, with about 635 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth for how much AI could touch it—right around the middle.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a third of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.
AI can help with or automate about 53% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Develop or write Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of handicapping conditions.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Coordinate placement of students with special needs into mainstream classes.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, and professionals to develop individual educational plans (IEPs) for students' educational, physical, and social development.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Modify the general education curriculum for students with disabilities, based upon a variety of instructional techniques and instructional technology.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Instruct students in daily living skills required for independent maintenance and self-sufficiency, such as hygiene, safety, and food preparation.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
Very similar workslightly less pay1,503 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$91,813 vs your $96,444 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Learning Strategies
- Speaking
New skills to build
- Therapy and Counseling
- Psychology
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Very similar workslightly less pay8,820 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$88,164 vs your $96,444 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Learning Strategies
- Active Listening
- Speaking
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Very similar work+3% pay6,128 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 3% more—$99,785 vs your $96,444 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Learning Strategies
- Active Listening
New skills to build
- Computers and Electronics
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School
Very similar workslightly less pay141 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$88,868 vs your $96,444 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree, with less than 5 years of experience.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Learning Strategies
New skills to build
- Engineering and Technology
- Mechanical
- Design
- Operations Analysis
- Computers and Electronics
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Similar work+1% pay2,957 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 1% more—$97,496 vs your $96,444 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Learning Strategies
- Speaking
- Instructing
New skills to build
- Philosophy and Theology
School Psychologists
Somewhat similar work+14% pay557 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 14% more—$109,530 vs your $96,444 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a master's degree, plus internship/residency.
Getting ready typically takes more than four years.
Skills you already have
- Education and Training
- Administrative
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Comprehension
- Active Listening
New skills to build
- Therapy and Counseling
- Psychology
- Sociology and Anthropology