OPT Middle School Teacher Jobs
Middle School Teacher jobs on OPT require F-1 students to work in a specialty occupation, which teaching satisfies through its degree requirement in education or a related subject area. Most positions are full-time, making them compatible with standard OPT authorization, though STEM OPT extension eligibility depends on your specific degree field.
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Get Access To All JobsDays per Year: 187
Min: $24,310
Mid: $28,589
JOB TITLE: Adaptive Behavior (AB) Aide - Middle School
REPORTS TO: Principal
WAGE/HOUR STATUS: Nonexempt
PAY GRADE: Para 4
PRIMARY PURPOSE:
The AB Aide position will assist the special education teacher to provide for physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities in special education setting.
All employees of SISD are expected to act with integrity, support organizational goals, communicate in a clear and respectful manner, championing the needs of our students and drive continuous improvement.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:
- 48 hours of college coursework from an accredited college or university
- Pass Spring Independent School District's NCLB test in the areas of Reading, Writing, and Mathematics (Tests are administered after the recommendation for hire)
Preferred:
- One+ years experience working with children with disabilities
- Associate’s Degree or higher from an accredited college or university
SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:
- Ability to work well with children
- Ability to communicate effectively
- Ability to work with children with disabilities
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
- Assist teacher in preparation of instructional materials and classroom displays
- Assist in maintaining a neat and orderly classroom
- Assist teacher in preparing/maintaining records/reports required by Federal, State or local laws/regulations
- Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting or positioning
- Assist students with physical needs and personal care including feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene
- Assist teacher in intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous student behavior as needed
- Assist teacher in working with individual students or small groups to develop motor skills
- Assist in supervision of students throughout the school day, both inside and outside the classroom
- Inform teacher of special needs or problems of individual students
- Participate in staff development and faculty meetings as assigned
- Perform all other duties as assigned
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Multi-tasking efficiently in an environment that has frequent interruptions, while maintaining emotional control under stress. The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and significant fine finger dexterity. Participation or presence required at some district functions in the district and/or out of the district. There is heavy telephone responsibilities and prolonged use of computer. There may be occasional overtime or irregular hours.
The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may required.
Days per Year: 187
Min: $24,310
Mid: $28,589
JOB TITLE: Adaptive Behavior (AB) Aide - Middle School
REPORTS TO: Principal
WAGE/HOUR STATUS: Nonexempt
PAY GRADE: Para 4
PRIMARY PURPOSE:
The AB Aide position will assist the special education teacher to provide for physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities in special education setting.
All employees of SISD are expected to act with integrity, support organizational goals, communicate in a clear and respectful manner, championing the needs of our students and drive continuous improvement.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:
- 48 hours of college coursework from an accredited college or university
- Pass Spring Independent School District's NCLB test in the areas of Reading, Writing, and Mathematics (Tests are administered after the recommendation for hire)
Preferred:
- One+ years experience working with children with disabilities
- Associate’s Degree or higher from an accredited college or university
SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:
- Ability to work well with children
- Ability to communicate effectively
- Ability to work with children with disabilities
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
- Assist teacher in preparation of instructional materials and classroom displays
- Assist in maintaining a neat and orderly classroom
- Assist teacher in preparing/maintaining records/reports required by Federal, State or local laws/regulations
- Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting or positioning
- Assist students with physical needs and personal care including feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene
- Assist teacher in intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous student behavior as needed
- Assist teacher in working with individual students or small groups to develop motor skills
- Assist in supervision of students throughout the school day, both inside and outside the classroom
- Inform teacher of special needs or problems of individual students
- Participate in staff development and faculty meetings as assigned
- Perform all other duties as assigned
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Multi-tasking efficiently in an environment that has frequent interruptions, while maintaining emotional control under stress. The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and significant fine finger dexterity. Participation or presence required at some district functions in the district and/or out of the district. There is heavy telephone responsibilities and prolonged use of computer. There may be occasional overtime or irregular hours.
The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may required.
See all 105+ OPT Middle School Teacher Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Middle School Teacher
Target public school districts with established hiring processes
Large urban and suburban districts hire in volume and often have HR teams familiar with work authorization. They're more likely to have processed OPT paperwork before, which reduces friction compared to smaller private schools.
Apply early in the spring hiring cycle
Most school districts post teaching positions between February and May for the following academic year. Applying early gives you time to resolve any work authorization questions before your OPT start date or expiration approaches.
Clarify your subject area endorsement upfront
Middle school positions are often tied to specific subjects like math, science, or English. Leading with your state teaching certification and subject endorsement removes ambiguity and reassures hiring managers about your qualifications and employment eligibility.
Obtain state teaching certification before job searching
Most states require a valid teaching license before you can be hired. Completing certification requirements while on OPT demonstrates you're ready to start immediately, which directly addresses employer concerns about hiring someone on temporary work authorization.
Frame your OPT timeline around the academic calendar
Schools plan staffing by semester. Aligning your available start date with August or January onboarding windows, and being transparent about your OPT end date, helps principals plan around your authorization period without surprises mid-year.
Mention H-1B cap-exempt status for university-affiliated schools
Charter schools and those affiliated with nonprofit educational institutions may qualify as cap-exempt H-1B visa employers. Noting this in conversations signals you've researched long-term sponsorship pathways, which matters to schools weighing the investment of hiring you.
Middle School Teacher OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Middle School Teacher role qualify as a specialty occupation for OPT purposes?
Yes. Teaching at the middle school level qualifies as a specialty occupation because it requires at least a bachelor's degree in education or a directly related subject area. Your OPT authorization covers this role provided your degree field matches the teaching position, which most state licensing requirements already enforce.
Can I work as a Middle School Teacher on STEM OPT extension?
Only if your underlying F-1 degree is in a STEM-designated field. Education degrees are generally not on the STEM OPT eligible list. However, if your degree is in a STEM subject like biology, mathematics, or computer science, and you're teaching that subject, you may qualify. Verify your CIP code with your DSO before assuming eligibility.
Do school districts commonly sponsor OPT students for H-1B visas after the OPT period ends?
Some do, particularly larger districts with dedicated HR teams and prior experience sponsoring international teachers. Charter schools and schools affiliated with nonprofit institutions may qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers, bypassing the lottery entirely. This is worth asking about directly during the offer stage, before signing a contract.
How do I find Middle School Teacher jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate lists teaching jobs from employers open to hiring F-1 OPT candidates, filtering out postings that require permanent work authorization. Searching there directly saves time compared to screening general job boards where sponsorship policies are rarely stated upfront.
Does substitute or part-time teaching count toward OPT employment requirements?
It depends on your OPT type. Standard OPT requires at least 20 hours of work per week to be considered valid employment and avoid accruing unemployment days. Substitute teaching that consistently meets the 20-hour threshold may qualify, but irregular or on-call assignments can create gaps that count against your 90-day unemployment limit.