OPT Assistant Teacher Jobs
Assistant Teacher jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in education, child development, or psychology. Most roles qualify as STEM-adjacent under certain program classifications, and many K-12 and early childhood employers have experience hiring international candidates on 12-month OPT authorization.
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Get Access To All JobsHARRISONBURG CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Position:
Teacher Assistant
Reports to:
Principal
Contract:
200 Days
Salary Scale:
Teacher Assistant Salary Scale
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Revised:
9/2010, 3/2021
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Assists teachers in providing for the individual needs of the student in order for each student to achieve his/her maximum academic and social potential.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Have completed 2 years of college (associates and/or bachelor degree preferred).
- Proficiency in spoken and written communication to express and/or exchange ideas.
- Ability to establish and follow detailed work procedures with speed and accuracy.
- Bilingual ability preferred.
- Emotionally mature, objective, and sensitive to the needs of others. Able to handle responsibility, work independently, and maintain collaborative working relationships with students, families and co-workers.
- Experience working directly with individuals and families from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Familiarity with equity and inclusion frameworks. Models non-discriminatory practices in all activities. Respects the worth, dignity and individual differences of others.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to present to diverse audiences to foster professional relationships and express and/or exchange ideas.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in the use of a variety of office/instructional equipment and technology with experience using Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and email.
- Demonstrated leadership qualities and personal characteristics necessary for working effectively with students, teachers, administrators, and the community.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Assists the teacher in providing for the individual instructional needs, abilities, and interests of the students.
- Conducts learning exercises (provides instruction to) small groups of children.
- Informs the teacher of any special information or problems about an individual student.
- Assists with activities such as record keeping, filing, organizing materials and preparing instructional/classroom materials.
- Maintains an inviting and functional classroom or learning environment while caring for material and equipment.
- Provides clerical assistance as a particular situation requires (as skills permit).
- Assists with the supervision of children.
- Serves as the chief source of information and help to any substitute teacher assigned in their area.
- Provides lunch supervision and/or bus duties as assigned.
- Substitutes for teachers when needed.
- Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
- Assumes responsibility for and participates in staff development (professional growth) and training to keep materials, supplies, and skills up-to-date.
- Follows appropriate safety procedures and properly maintains equipment.
- Responds to telephone, email and in-person requests, inquiries and questions in a professional, polite and responsive manner.
- Demonstrates good attendance and punctuality.
- Attends all required meetings.
- Maintains confidentiality in all matters.
- Takes all industry standard precautions to protect students, staff, equipment, materials, and facilities.
- Complies with and supports school division policies, regulations, procedures, and the HCPS Strategic Plan.
- Effectively performs other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Light work, lifting up to 25 pounds occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds frequently. Regular travel throughout the school and effectively interact with students, staff, and community members. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; and subject to inside and outside environmental conditions. Regular contact with staff members is required. Not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
EVALUATION:
Performance will be evaluated in accordance with school board policy and administrative regulations on the evaluation of administrative or licensed personnel.
The above is intended to describe the essential functions of and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of the duties, responsibilities and requirements of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and meet the demands of this position.
HARRISONBURG CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Position:
Teacher Assistant
Reports to:
Principal
Contract:
200 Days
Salary Scale:
Teacher Assistant Salary Scale
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Revised:
9/2010, 3/2021
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Assists teachers in providing for the individual needs of the student in order for each student to achieve his/her maximum academic and social potential.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Have completed 2 years of college (associates and/or bachelor degree preferred).
- Proficiency in spoken and written communication to express and/or exchange ideas.
- Ability to establish and follow detailed work procedures with speed and accuracy.
- Bilingual ability preferred.
- Emotionally mature, objective, and sensitive to the needs of others. Able to handle responsibility, work independently, and maintain collaborative working relationships with students, families and co-workers.
- Experience working directly with individuals and families from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Familiarity with equity and inclusion frameworks. Models non-discriminatory practices in all activities. Respects the worth, dignity and individual differences of others.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to present to diverse audiences to foster professional relationships and express and/or exchange ideas.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in the use of a variety of office/instructional equipment and technology with experience using Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and email.
- Demonstrated leadership qualities and personal characteristics necessary for working effectively with students, teachers, administrators, and the community.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Assists the teacher in providing for the individual instructional needs, abilities, and interests of the students.
- Conducts learning exercises (provides instruction to) small groups of children.
- Informs the teacher of any special information or problems about an individual student.
- Assists with activities such as record keeping, filing, organizing materials and preparing instructional/classroom materials.
- Maintains an inviting and functional classroom or learning environment while caring for material and equipment.
- Provides clerical assistance as a particular situation requires (as skills permit).
- Assists with the supervision of children.
- Serves as the chief source of information and help to any substitute teacher assigned in their area.
- Provides lunch supervision and/or bus duties as assigned.
- Substitutes for teachers when needed.
- Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
- Assumes responsibility for and participates in staff development (professional growth) and training to keep materials, supplies, and skills up-to-date.
- Follows appropriate safety procedures and properly maintains equipment.
- Responds to telephone, email and in-person requests, inquiries and questions in a professional, polite and responsive manner.
- Demonstrates good attendance and punctuality.
- Attends all required meetings.
- Maintains confidentiality in all matters.
- Takes all industry standard precautions to protect students, staff, equipment, materials, and facilities.
- Complies with and supports school division policies, regulations, procedures, and the HCPS Strategic Plan.
- Effectively performs other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Light work, lifting up to 25 pounds occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds frequently. Regular travel throughout the school and effectively interact with students, staff, and community members. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; and subject to inside and outside environmental conditions. Regular contact with staff members is required. Not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
EVALUATION:
Performance will be evaluated in accordance with school board policy and administrative regulations on the evaluation of administrative or licensed personnel.
The above is intended to describe the essential functions of and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of the duties, responsibilities and requirements of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and meet the demands of this position.
See all 163+ OPT Assistant Teacher Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Assistant Teacher
Target school districts with international hiring experience
Large urban school districts and charter networks hire at scale and often have HR teams familiar with OPT work authorization. Smaller private schools may be open but unfamiliar with the process, so come prepared to explain your authorization clearly.
Clarify your OPT end date upfront
Assistant Teacher roles frequently start in August and run through June. If your OPT expires mid-year, flag it early. Some employers will sponsor H-1B visa or another visa to retain a strong candidate rather than restart hiring mid-school-year.
Highlight your degree alignment with the role
OPT requires your job to be directly related to your degree field. A degree in early childhood education, psychology, or special education strengthens your case. Document this connection clearly in your resume and when speaking with HR teams.
Ask about STEM OPT eligibility through your DSO
If your degree is in a STEM-designated field like developmental psychology or educational technology, you may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your CIP code with your Designated School Official before applying, as it significantly extends your work window.
Prepare a one-page OPT explainer for employers
Many school administrators have never hired an OPT student. A brief document covering what OPT is, what paperwork the employer needs to complete, and the timeline involved removes friction and makes it easier for hesitant hiring managers to say yes.
Apply early in the school hiring cycle
Most school districts post positions between February and April for fall start dates. Applying early gives employers time to process your work authorization questions without feeling rushed. Late applications often lose out simply due to administrative timelines, not candidate quality.
Assistant Teacher OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an Assistant Teacher on F-1 OPT?
Yes, as long as your assistant teacher role is directly related to your degree field. A degree in education, child development, psychology, or a related discipline typically satisfies this requirement. Your employer does not need to file any petition on your behalf during your standard 12-month OPT period. You are responsible for ensuring the job connection is well-documented with your DSO.
Do Assistant Teacher jobs typically lead to visa sponsorship?
Some do, particularly in public school districts and larger private school networks that have established HR infrastructure. Sponsorship is more likely when you've proven your value over an academic year and your OPT is expiring. H-1B sponsorship for teachers is possible if the role qualifies as a specialty occupation, which most credentialed teaching positions do. Raise the conversation with your employer at least six months before your OPT expires.
Where can I find Assistant Teacher jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists assistant teacher and education support roles from employers who are open to hiring international candidates on OPT. Filtering by OPT-friendly employers saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering late in the process that a school won't work with your authorization status.
Does an Assistant Teacher role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as developmental psychology, educational technology, or cognitive science, and your CIP code appears on the DHS STEM list, you may qualify for a 24-month extension. The assistant teacher job itself is not a STEM role, but your degree field drives eligibility. Confirm with your DSO before accepting an offer based on this assumption.
What should I tell a school employer who has never hired an OPT student before?
Explain that OPT work authorization is federally issued through USCIS and requires no employer petition or sponsorship fee during the authorized period. The school simply serves as your employer of record and completes standard onboarding paperwork. Your EAD card is your proof of authorization. Offering to walk HR through the process directly, or connecting them with your DSO, typically resolves most concerns quickly.