High School Teacher Jobs for OPT Students
High school teacher jobs on OPT are available across public and private schools, though most require state licensure alongside your work authorization. STEM-designated OPT extensions apply if your degree is in education with a STEM focus, giving you up to three years to secure long-term sponsorship.
See All High School Teacher JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 1,192+ High School Teacher jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 1,192+ High School Teacher jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new High School Teacher roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Villanova Preparatory School, a Catholic, co-educational Augustinian college preparatory school located in the beautiful Ojai Valley of Southern California, invites applications for a full-time Chemistry teacher beginning in the 2026–2027 academic year. Founded in the Augustinian tradition in 1924, Villanova Prep is a vibrant academic community dedicated to the pursuit of truth, unity, and love through rigorous scholarship, meaningful relationships, and the formation of the whole person. Our students come from across the United States and around the world, creating a dynamic and globally minded learning environment.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Villanova Preparatory School is actively seeking a qualified full-time Chemistry instructor who brings passion and excitement to the classroom and is able to teach multiple levels of the subject.
Major Areas of Responsibility:
- Design and deliver engaging, rigorous, and relational instruction in Chemistry, including foundational and potentially advanced courses within the science department
- Develop students’ understanding of core chemical concepts, scientific inquiry, and laboratory practices
- Foster a classroom culture rooted in curiosity, critical thinking, collaboration, and academic integrity
- Guide students in scientific reasoning, data analysis, problem-solving, and clear communication of scientific ideas
- Plan and facilitate safe, effective, and meaningful laboratory experiences
- Provide timely and constructive feedback that supports student growth, with attention to diverse learners, including students with IEPs and multilingual learners
- Maintain accurate records of student progress, grading, and attendance
- Communicate effectively and consistently with students, parents, counselors, and colleagues
- Collaborate with faculty to strengthen curriculum and support student success
- Participate fully in the life of the school community through advisory, athletics, co-curricular activities, and school events
- Contribute positively to Villanova’s Augustinian mission and community life
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Science Education, or a closely related field
- Demonstrated experience teaching high school science
- Strong ability to create engaging, student-centered learning environments
- Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
- Commitment to collaboration and student engagement
- Willingness to support and uphold the mission and values of Augustinian spirituality and Catholic education
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in Chemistry or a related discipline
- Experience teaching AP Chemistry or honors-level science courses
- California Single Subject Teaching Credential in Science (Chemistry preferred)
- Experience supporting multilingual learners or international students
- Familiarity with technology-enhanced instruction in a 1:1 device learning environment
- Experience working in a Catholic or faith-based educational setting
COMPENSATION
The full-time salary range for this position is $52,500-85,000. The starting salary is also based upon, but not limited to, several factors that include type and years of experience, education level, and expertise.
Wage Range
The rate of pay offered to the selected candidate is based on internal pay policy and budget. New hires are commonly paid at the minimum of the wage range or within the lower part of the range. We consider a number of factors when making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience, training and other department needs.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Submit a cover letter with a complete resume to:
Daniel Annarelli, Principal
dannarelli@villanovaprep.org
LOCATION
Information/Application contact:
Villanova Preparatory School
1000 Villanova Rd.
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 646-1464
INTRODUCTION
Villanova Preparatory School, a Catholic, co-educational Augustinian college preparatory school located in the beautiful Ojai Valley of Southern California, invites applications for a full-time Chemistry teacher beginning in the 2026–2027 academic year. Founded in the Augustinian tradition in 1924, Villanova Prep is a vibrant academic community dedicated to the pursuit of truth, unity, and love through rigorous scholarship, meaningful relationships, and the formation of the whole person. Our students come from across the United States and around the world, creating a dynamic and globally minded learning environment.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Villanova Preparatory School is actively seeking a qualified full-time Chemistry instructor who brings passion and excitement to the classroom and is able to teach multiple levels of the subject.
Major Areas of Responsibility:
- Design and deliver engaging, rigorous, and relational instruction in Chemistry, including foundational and potentially advanced courses within the science department
- Develop students’ understanding of core chemical concepts, scientific inquiry, and laboratory practices
- Foster a classroom culture rooted in curiosity, critical thinking, collaboration, and academic integrity
- Guide students in scientific reasoning, data analysis, problem-solving, and clear communication of scientific ideas
- Plan and facilitate safe, effective, and meaningful laboratory experiences
- Provide timely and constructive feedback that supports student growth, with attention to diverse learners, including students with IEPs and multilingual learners
- Maintain accurate records of student progress, grading, and attendance
- Communicate effectively and consistently with students, parents, counselors, and colleagues
- Collaborate with faculty to strengthen curriculum and support student success
- Participate fully in the life of the school community through advisory, athletics, co-curricular activities, and school events
- Contribute positively to Villanova’s Augustinian mission and community life
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Science Education, or a closely related field
- Demonstrated experience teaching high school science
- Strong ability to create engaging, student-centered learning environments
- Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
- Commitment to collaboration and student engagement
- Willingness to support and uphold the mission and values of Augustinian spirituality and Catholic education
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in Chemistry or a related discipline
- Experience teaching AP Chemistry or honors-level science courses
- California Single Subject Teaching Credential in Science (Chemistry preferred)
- Experience supporting multilingual learners or international students
- Familiarity with technology-enhanced instruction in a 1:1 device learning environment
- Experience working in a Catholic or faith-based educational setting
COMPENSATION
The full-time salary range for this position is $52,500-85,000. The starting salary is also based upon, but not limited to, several factors that include type and years of experience, education level, and expertise.
Wage Range
The rate of pay offered to the selected candidate is based on internal pay policy and budget. New hires are commonly paid at the minimum of the wage range or within the lower part of the range. We consider a number of factors when making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience, training and other department needs.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Submit a cover letter with a complete resume to:
Daniel Annarelli, Principal
dannarelli@villanovaprep.org
LOCATION
Information/Application contact:
Villanova Preparatory School
1000 Villanova Rd.
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 646-1464
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a High School Teacher
Target private and charter schools first
Private and charter schools are not bound by the same district hiring processes as public schools, making them more flexible with OPT candidates. They can often move faster on hiring decisions before your authorization window closes.
Address your work authorization timeline upfront
Schools plan staffing a semester or year ahead. Mention your OPT end date and any STEM extension eligibility in your cover letter so hiring managers can assess fit without uncertainty about your authorization timeline.
Research state licensure requirements early
Most states require a teaching license for public school positions. Check your target state's requirements now, since some offer emergency or provisional licenses that accommodate OPT candidates while a full credential is pending.
Highlight subject-area shortages in your field
Schools in STEM subjects, special education, and bilingual programs face persistent teacher shortages. Framing your application around high-demand subjects strengthens your case and increases the likelihood employers will sponsor future H-1B status.
Connect with school district HR departments directly
Many school districts post positions internally before advertising broadly. Contacting district HR offices directly about OPT-eligible openings can surface opportunities earlier than standard postings and signals genuine commitment to that school community.
Clarify H-1B specialty occupation eligibility for teaching
Teaching roles at the secondary level have been approved as H-1B specialty occupations when the position requires a degree in a specific subject area. Discuss this with an immigration attorney before accepting any role to confirm sponsorship is viable.
High School Teacher jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find High School Teacher JobsSee all 1,192+ High School Teacher jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new High School Teacher roles.
Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a high school teacher on OPT?
Yes, you can work as a high school teacher on OPT if the role is directly related to your degree field. A degree in education, biology, mathematics, or a relevant subject area typically satisfies this requirement. State teaching licensure is a separate requirement and does not affect your OPT eligibility itself, but most public schools will require it before you can begin in the classroom.
Do high school teaching jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Only if your degree is classified under a STEM-designated CIP code. Education degrees focused on STEM subjects, such as mathematics education or science education, may qualify depending on your program's exact classification. Check your degree's CIP code against the official STEM OPT designated degree program list published by the Department of Homeland Security to confirm eligibility before assuming you qualify for the 24-month extension.
Where can I find high school teacher jobs that accept OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is the best place to search for high school teacher jobs open to OPT students. The platform filters specifically for employers willing to work with F-1 OPT work authorization, saving you the time of screening positions manually. Private schools, charter networks, and international schools tend to be most receptive to OPT candidates and appear regularly in sponsorship-aware job searches.
Can a school sponsor an H-1B visa for a high school teacher?
Yes, secondary school teaching positions have been successfully sponsored under H-1B when the role requires a degree in a specific subject area, such as a chemistry teacher position requiring a chemistry degree. Public schools, private schools, and nonprofit educational institutions can all file H-1B petitions. Cap-exempt status may apply if the school is affiliated with a qualifying nonprofit research organization, which avoids the annual lottery entirely.
What should I do if my OPT expires before securing permanent sponsorship?
If you hold STEM OPT, you have up to three years total of post-completion work authorization, which gives you meaningful time to pursue H-1B sponsorship. If sponsorship does not come through in time, some educators pursue J-1 exchange visitor status through teacher exchange programs as a bridge. Consulting an immigration attorney early in your final OPT year is the most practical step to map out your options.
See which High School Teacher employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search High School Teacher Jobs