Special Education Teacher

Occupational therapists help patients develop, recover, improve, and maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. The role involves evaluating patients' conditions and needs, developing individualized treatment plans, teaching patients to use adaptive equipment, modifying environments to support function, and documenting progress. OTs work with diverse populations—children with developmental delays, adults recovering from injuries or strokes, seniors aging in place, and individuals with mental health conditions. Treatment might involve practicing dressing techniques with a stroke patient, recommending workplace modifications for someone with repetitive strain injury, or developing sensory activities for a child with autism. Work settings include hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, nursing homes, mental health facilities, and patients' homes. The profession requires understanding anatomy, psychology, adaptive technology, and activity analysis—breaking down tasks to identify where patients struggle and how to help.

Elementary school teachers educate children from kindergarten through fifth or sixth grade in fundamental subjects including reading, mathematics, science, and social studies. The work involves planning lessons aligned with standards, teaching content in developmentally appropriate ways, assessing student progress, managing classroom behavior, communicating with parents, and addressing individual student needs within group settings. Teachers adapt instruction for students at different levels, integrate technology, and create classroom environments that support learning. Beyond academics, elementary teachers help children develop social skills, emotional regulation, and foundational habits for school success. The work requires understanding child development, differentiating instruction for diverse learners, and balancing curriculum demands with individual student needs. Classrooms typically include students with varied abilities, backgrounds, and home situations requiring teachers to respond to each child's circumstances.

School counselors help students with academic achievement, career planning, and personal/social development. The work involves individual and group counseling sessions, developing and implementing school counseling programs, assisting students with course selection and college/career planning, identifying and addressing barriers to student success, crisis intervention, and consulting with teachers, parents, and administrators. Counselors address issues ranging from academic struggles and social conflicts to anxiety, depression, family problems, and trauma. They advocate for students within school systems, connect families with community resources, and lead programs on topics like bullying prevention and study skills. Elementary counselors focus on developmental guidance and social skills; secondary counselors emphasize academic planning and college/career preparation. The work requires building trust with students, maintaining confidentiality, and balancing competing demands from students, families, and administrators.