Teaching students with disabilities is one of the 50 best career options for 2011, according to U.S. News & World Report.

The publication ranked careers based on potential for job growth, salaries and job satisfaction. The employment opportunities highlighted in the list released this week span job sectors to include everything from accountant to film editor, biomedical engineer and massage therapist.

Special education teacher is included under the social service jobs section. The profession made the list of best careers in large part because it’s expected to see tremendous growth, with a 17 percent spike in hiring forecast for the period between 2008 and 2018, the magazine said.

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However, U.S. News points out that special educators often incur high levels of stress, leading some to leave the field.

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