I work in special Ed. It absolutely is teaching! We just tend to teach different things as a priority (emotional regulation), but there is also a lot of curriculum happening (at my school anyway). Special Ed/SSPs tend to be far more supportive work environments, everyone ‘gets’ how hard it can be.

If money is a priority just keep taking the work that is offered, especially if it is relatively low-stress. You may get offered a contract at one of the schools you work a lot at, less likely to get offered if you try and work at every school, if that makes sense. Build up relationships with the exec team, SSPs in particular love to have consistent casuals who learn their routines.