A special educator is a professional who works with students with special needs, such as those with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities. A TUTOR is someone who provides one-on-one instruction to help a student learn a particular subject or skill. A TUTOR can be a special educator, but they are not the same job. A TUTOR typically works with a student on a specific subject or skill, while a special educator works with a student on a variety of skills and subjects.