J-1 Visa Esl Teacher Jobs
ESL Teacher positions in the United States are available to international educators through the J-1 visa Teacher program category, which requires sponsorship from a U.S. Department of State-designated organization. Host school districts partner with designated sponsors to issue your DS-2019 and administer your exchange program for up to three years, with a possible one-year extension.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!
JOB DESCRIPTION
The English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher will help provide and guide instruction for K-12 ESL students across several campuses at North Star Academy. The ESL teacher will work closely with the school-based Special Education Coordinators, as well as with teachers and leaders throughout the region, so this position requires the ability to travel between our Newark campuses. The ESL Teacher will report to the Associate Director of Special Education.
Responsibilities
- Demonstrate a relentless drive to improve the minds, characters & lives of students both in and out of school
- Show unwavering commitment to urban youth achieving greatness
- Provide in-class support in the general education setting and small group instruction to ESL students
- Provide support and feedback to content teachers on sheltered instruction strategies as needed
- Attend and participate in IEP meetings for English Learners as directed by the Associate Director of Special Education
- Follow ESSA guidelines for identification, instruction, assessment, and exiting ESL students
- Create a positive, structured learning environment to ensure that students observe the school’s core values, high expectations, and strict code of conduct
- Implement curricula and activities to meet academic and language acquisition standards aligned to the WIDA English language development standards
- Complete training for administering WIDA assessments used to identify and determine continued eligibility for ESL services
- Provide consistent rewards and/or consequences for student behavior to ensure that students observe the school’s core values, high expectations, and strict code of conduct
- Be accountable for students’ mastery of academic and language acquisition standards
- Exhibit resilience to persevere and turn challenges into opportunities
- Focus constantly on student learning, thinking critically and strategically to respond to student learning needs
- Communicate effectively with students, families, and colleagues
- Engage families in their children’s education
- Commit to continual professional growth
QUALIFICATIONS
- Drive to improve the minds and lives of students in and out of the classroom
- Flexibility to adapt to the needs of our students
- Proven track-record of high achievement in the classroom
- Mastery of and enthusiasm for academic subjects
- Evidence of self-motivation and willingness to be a team player
- Bachelor’s degree is required; Master’s degree is preferred
- Minimum of two years teaching experience in an urban public school or charter school setting preferred
- By the time that employment begins, candidates must have received a Bachelor's degree from a College or University. For teaching roles in New Jersey, the candidates must have earned a cumulative 2.75 GPA (for candidates graduating before September 1, 2016) or 3.0 (for candidates graduating on or after September 1, 2016).
- Valid NJ English as a Second Language State Certification is highly preferred
- Belief in and alignment with Uncommon’s core beliefs and educational philosophy is non-negotiable.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.
OUR APPROACH TO AI AND YOUR APPLICATION
At Uncommon Schools, we value thoughtful use of technology. Your responses should begin with your own thinking and reflect your authentic voice, experiences, and commitment to our mission. Generative AI can be used to refine or organize writing, but not to generate initial responses or replace your ideas. Every application is reviewed by a member of our Recruitment Team, and we are committed to understanding the person behind the application.
COMPENSATION
Compensation for this role is between $60,000 to $90,000. Starting pay is determined using various factors including but not limited to relevant full-time teaching experience, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. Candidates without full-time teaching experience will likely have a starting salary of $60,000.
BENEFITS
- Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time, paid holidays, and ~10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer).
- Extensive, best-in-class training and development
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans + pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health saving accounts (HSA)
- Financial Planning + New Jersey Pension program
- Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)
- Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits
At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective of the communities we serve—with over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color. Our organization values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape our school culture.
As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email recruitment@uncommonschools.org.
INTRODUCTION
Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!
JOB DESCRIPTION
The English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher will help provide and guide instruction for K-12 ESL students across several campuses at North Star Academy. The ESL teacher will work closely with the school-based Special Education Coordinators, as well as with teachers and leaders throughout the region, so this position requires the ability to travel between our Newark campuses. The ESL Teacher will report to the Associate Director of Special Education.
Responsibilities
- Demonstrate a relentless drive to improve the minds, characters & lives of students both in and out of school
- Show unwavering commitment to urban youth achieving greatness
- Provide in-class support in the general education setting and small group instruction to ESL students
- Provide support and feedback to content teachers on sheltered instruction strategies as needed
- Attend and participate in IEP meetings for English Learners as directed by the Associate Director of Special Education
- Follow ESSA guidelines for identification, instruction, assessment, and exiting ESL students
- Create a positive, structured learning environment to ensure that students observe the school’s core values, high expectations, and strict code of conduct
- Implement curricula and activities to meet academic and language acquisition standards aligned to the WIDA English language development standards
- Complete training for administering WIDA assessments used to identify and determine continued eligibility for ESL services
- Provide consistent rewards and/or consequences for student behavior to ensure that students observe the school’s core values, high expectations, and strict code of conduct
- Be accountable for students’ mastery of academic and language acquisition standards
- Exhibit resilience to persevere and turn challenges into opportunities
- Focus constantly on student learning, thinking critically and strategically to respond to student learning needs
- Communicate effectively with students, families, and colleagues
- Engage families in their children’s education
- Commit to continual professional growth
QUALIFICATIONS
- Drive to improve the minds and lives of students in and out of the classroom
- Flexibility to adapt to the needs of our students
- Proven track-record of high achievement in the classroom
- Mastery of and enthusiasm for academic subjects
- Evidence of self-motivation and willingness to be a team player
- Bachelor’s degree is required; Master’s degree is preferred
- Minimum of two years teaching experience in an urban public school or charter school setting preferred
- By the time that employment begins, candidates must have received a Bachelor's degree from a College or University. For teaching roles in New Jersey, the candidates must have earned a cumulative 2.75 GPA (for candidates graduating before September 1, 2016) or 3.0 (for candidates graduating on or after September 1, 2016).
- Valid NJ English as a Second Language State Certification is highly preferred
- Belief in and alignment with Uncommon’s core beliefs and educational philosophy is non-negotiable.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.
OUR APPROACH TO AI AND YOUR APPLICATION
At Uncommon Schools, we value thoughtful use of technology. Your responses should begin with your own thinking and reflect your authentic voice, experiences, and commitment to our mission. Generative AI can be used to refine or organize writing, but not to generate initial responses or replace your ideas. Every application is reviewed by a member of our Recruitment Team, and we are committed to understanding the person behind the application.
COMPENSATION
Compensation for this role is between $60,000 to $90,000. Starting pay is determined using various factors including but not limited to relevant full-time teaching experience, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. Candidates without full-time teaching experience will likely have a starting salary of $60,000.
BENEFITS
- Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time, paid holidays, and ~10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer).
- Extensive, best-in-class training and development
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans + pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health saving accounts (HSA)
- Financial Planning + New Jersey Pension program
- Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)
- Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits
At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective of the communities we serve—with over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color. Our organization values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape our school culture.
As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email recruitment@uncommonschools.org.
See all J-1 Visa Esl Teacher Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Esl Teacher Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as an Esl Teacher
Verify your teaching credentials transfer correctly
Most J-1 Teacher placements require a valid teaching license from your home country plus at least two years of classroom experience. Check whether your credentials need official translation or evaluation by a NACES-recognized agency before your application package is reviewed.
Target school districts with active J-1 history
Search for host employers on Migrate Mate, filtering for ESL Teacher roles that explicitly note J-1 compatibility. Districts in high-demand states like California, Texas, and Florida have placed J-1 teachers consistently and understand the DS-2019 process.
Understand the two-year home residency requirement
The J-1 Teacher category almost always carries the two-year home residency requirement, meaning you must return home for two years before switching to most other U.S. visa types. Confirm this applies to you before accepting any host placement.
Clarify who files the DS-2019 before signing anything
Your host school district is not your visa sponsor. A State Department-designated organization such as Cultural Vistas or CIEE issues your DS-2019 and monitors compliance. Confirm which designated sponsor your host school works with and verify that organization is currently authorized.
Document your English proficiency through approved channels
Even native English speakers from non-majority-English-speaking countries may need to demonstrate proficiency. USCIS and designated sponsors often require TOEFL or IELTS scores, so secure test results before contacting host schools to avoid delays in your placement timeline.
Negotiate your training plan before your program start date
Your designated sponsor requires a signed training plan outlining your instructional responsibilities, mentorship structure, and cultural exchange activities. Review this document carefully because it defines what your host district can legally assign you to do during your program.
Esl Teacher J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category covers ESL Teacher positions?
ESL Teachers entering the U.S. through the J-1 visa fall under the Teacher category, which is specifically designed for primary and secondary school educators. This category allows placements of up to three years with a possible one-year extension, provided your host school district partners with a State Department-designated sponsor organization that issues your DS-2019.
What is the difference between my host school and my J-1 sponsor?
Your host school district is the employer where you teach. The J-1 sponsor is a separate State Department-designated organization, such as Cultural Vistas or CIEE, that issues your DS-2019 form, verifies program compliance, and acts as your official visa sponsor. The school cannot sponsor your J-1 directly. Both parties must agree to work together before your program begins.
Does the J-1 Teacher category carry a two-year home residency requirement?
Yes, almost all J-1 Teacher placements are subject to the two-year home residency requirement under INA section 212(e). This means you must return to your home country for two years after your program ends before you can apply for an H-1B visa, L-1 visa, or immigrant visa, or change status inside the U.S. A waiver is possible but difficult to obtain for this category.
How do I find host school districts that are open to J-1 teacher placements?
Use Migrate Mate to search for ESL Teacher roles filtered by J-1 sponsorship compatibility. Not every district understands the J-1 Teacher program, so targeting employers who have hosted J-1 educators before significantly reduces the chance of a placement falling through late in the process when a district realizes it needs a designated sponsor partner.
Can I teach at a language school or private tutoring center on a J-1 Teacher visa?
No. The J-1 Teacher category is restricted to accredited primary and secondary educational institutions. Language schools, adult education centers, and private tutoring companies do not qualify as host organizations under this category. If your role is at a university or college language program, a different J-1 category such as Professor or Short-Term Scholar may apply instead.