| Aspect | Exceptional Children | Special Education Teacher |
|---|
| Credentials | Typically requires a bachelor's degree in education or special education, state certification | Requires a bachelor's degree in education or special education, state certification |
| Work Environment | Schools, resource centers, inclusive classrooms | Classrooms, resource rooms, inclusive settings |
| Industry Usage | Used broadly to refer to students with disabilities and learning differences | Refers to professionals working with students with disabilities |
Exceptional Children is a broad term referring to students with disabilities or special needs, while Special Education Teacher describes the professionals who work directly with these students. Both terms often overlap, but the former is more about the student population, and the latter about the role of the educator.