Teachers

General/Regular Education Classroom Teacher

The general education teacher (sometimes referred to as the regular education teacher) is responsible for all students in their classroom. The main roles of the general education teacher are to plan, coordinate, schedule, and evaluate curriculum and instructional outcomes within a secure and positive classroom environment for all students, including those with disabilities. The general education teacher collaborates with all members of your child’s school team and participates in your child’s individualized education program (IEP) meetings if your child qualifies for special education services. General education teachers can implement accommodations detailed in your child’s IEP and provide student data to the school team to identify the student’s areas of strengths and challenge.

Want to learn more about the general education teacher?
See Specific Roles of General Educators in Serving Students with Disabilities and their Parents (Project IDEAL)

Intervention Specialist or Special Education Teacher

These two terms, “intervention specialist,” and “special education teacher,” refer to the same professional. In Ohio, the term intervention specialist is used. An intervention specialist is specifically trained to teach students with disabilities. They may teach in general education classrooms, resource rooms, or in self-contained classrooms. Intervention specialists are knowledgeable about the general education curriculum, modified curricula, and intervention strategies to support instruction in academics and behavior. They know the content of each learner’s special education program and make accommodations and modifications to provide access to educational content, instruction, and assessments. In particular, intervention specialists may collaboratively plan with their general education peers and collaboratively implement accommodations for students with disabilities. Intervention specialists and general education teachers often teach together, and this is referred to as co-teaching. In this situation, it is important that both teachers have access to every student's records which may include medical information related to a child’s hearing status or technology. With this information, the two teachers can co-plan in order to co-serve their students.

Want more general information about special education teachers?
See Specific Roles of Special Educators in Serving Students with Disabilities and their Parents.

Teacher of the Deaf (TOD)

A teacher of the deaf (TOD) receives specialized training to assess and provide educational services to students who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH). They support general classroom teachers and your school team by providing teaching strategies, language development support, and identification of learning needs for students who are D/HH. TODs take on the role that best fits your child’s needs. This may include being a classroom teacher, resource room teacher, or itinerant teacher. TODs are valuable members of your child’s individualized family service plan (IFSP) or individualized education program (IEP) teams. TODs and audiologists both need access to a child’s records including medical information in order to understand their hearing status, manage any hearing devices or supports at school, or provide the best possible access to the curriculum and school activities. In Ohio, TOD’s receive their professional license through the Department of Education.

Would you like more information about TODs?
Click here if you would like more information about teachers of the deaf.