Special Education Teacher Jobs in Tennessee

Special Education Teacher jobs in Tennessee are in strong and steady demand, concentrated across public school districts, private therapeutic day schools, and charter networks, with openings at every level from newly licensed teachers to lead specialists and instructional coaches. Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville generate the largest share of postings, anchored by employers like Metro Nashville Public Schools, Shelby County Schools, and Knox County Schools. The most sought-after specialties are autism spectrum support, emotional and behavioral disorders, and learning disabilities. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles68
Top employerFort Madison Community School District
Top cityNashville, TN
Cities hiring38
Work type100% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 68+ Special Education Teacher jobs

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Special Education Teacher
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Added 1d ago
Special Education Teacher
BRIGHT TECH INDUSTRIALS INDIA PVT LTD
Memphis, Tennessee
Corporate Training & Learning Development
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
$45k - $100k/yr
On-Site
Special Education Certification

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Genesis Academy
Special Education Teacher - Life Skills
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Genesis Academy
Added 1d ago
Special Education Teacher - Life Skills
Genesis Academy
Nashville, Tennessee
Corporate Training & Learning Development
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
$40k - $80k/yr
On-Site
Teaching Certification

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A
Special Education Teacher
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A
Added 2d ago
Special Education Teacher
American Classical Academy Rutherford
La Vergne, Tennessee
Corporate Training & Learning Development
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
On-Site
Bachelor's degree in special education

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Licensed Special Education Teacher (Functional Skills) - Elementary
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Added 3d ago
Licensed Special Education Teacher (Functional Skills) - Elementary
KIPP Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
Corporate Training & Learning Development
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
Master's degree in education

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Youth Opportunity Investments, LLC
Special Education Teacher
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Youth Opportunity Investments, LLC
Added 3d ago
Special Education Teacher
Youth Opportunity Investments, LLC
Lebanon, Tennessee
Corporate Training & Learning Development
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
$60k - $70k/yr
Bachelor's degree in special education

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See All 68 Special Education Teacher Jobs in Tennessee

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Special Education Teacher Jobs by City in Tennessee

Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Nashville
9 jobs
Memphis
6 jobs
Shelbyville
6 jobs
Murfreesboro
4 jobs
Somerville
3 jobs
Lebanon
2 jobs
Oakland
2 jobs
Columbia
2 jobs
Jacksboro
2 jobs

Special Education Teacher Job Market in Tennessee

A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Fort Madison Community School District
    Fort Madison Community School District19
  • Ampersand Therapy
    Ampersand Therapy13
  • Murfreesboro City Schools
    Murfreesboro City Schools4
  • Memphis-Shelby County Schools
    Memphis-Shelby County Schools4
  • Wilson County School District
    Wilson County School District4

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education

What Tennessee Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in special education teacher jobs across Tennessee.

  • Active Tennessee teaching license with a Special Education endorsement issued by the Tennessee Department of Education
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in Special Education or a closely related field from an accredited institution
  • Ability to develop and implement Individualized Education Programs in compliance with federal IDEA requirements
  • Experience or coursework in evidence-based instructional strategies for students with diverse learning needs
  • Strong classroom and behavior management skills, including crisis de-escalation training such as CPI certification
  • Effective collaboration with general education teachers, parents, and multidisciplinary support teams

Special Education Teacher Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a special education teacher in Tennessee?

You become a special education teacher in Tennessee by earning a bachelor's degree in Special Education or a closely related field, completing a state-approved educator preparation program, and obtaining a Tennessee teaching license with a Special Education endorsement through the Tennessee Department of Education. Licensure requires passing the Praxis Core and the appropriate Special Education Praxis content exam. Candidates who hold an out-of-state license may apply for reciprocity review through the department.

How much do special education teachers make in Tennessee?

Special education teachers in Tennessee earn a median of about $59,550 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $44,210 for the lowest 10% to over $77,900 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire special education teachers in Tennessee?

Employers hiring special education teachers in Tennessee right now include Fort Madison Community School District, Ampersand Therapy, and Murfreesboro City Schools, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Tennessee's large urban school districts and private therapeutic schools account for a significant portion of consistent openings across the state.

Which Tennessee cities have the most special education teacher jobs?

Nashville, Memphis, and Shelbyville have the most special education teacher openings in Tennessee. Nashville leads because Metro Nashville Public Schools is among the largest employers in the state, while Memphis draws volume through Shelby County Schools and a cluster of charter networks, and Knoxville reflects steady demand from Knox County Schools along with nearby suburban districts in Anderson and Blount counties.

Are there remote special education teacher jobs in Tennessee?

Yes, but they're rare. Special education teaching is fundamentally a hands-on, in-person role requiring direct support, observation, and IEP implementation for students with disabilities. About 0% of special education teacher openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions most often involve virtual instruction for homebound students or remote IEP case management and consultation roles rather than full classroom teaching.

How can I get hired as a special education teacher in Tennessee with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying for a special education paraprofessional or instructional aide position with a large district like Metro Nashville Public Schools or Shelby County Schools, which regularly hire associates without classroom experience. Working as a paraprofessional builds direct IEP exposure while you complete your Praxis exams and Tennessee licensure. Completing a state-approved residency or student-teaching placement at a Tennessee school and holding a current special education endorsement application in progress gives candidates a clear edge with hiring administrators.

Where can I find and apply to special education teacher jobs in Tennessee?

You can find and apply to special education teacher jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current Tennessee openings across school districts, charter schools, and private therapeutic programs. Find roles that fit your experience and endorsement area and apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 68 Special Education Teacher Jobs in Tennessee

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