OPT Paraprofessional Jobs
Paraprofessional jobs on OPT sit in an unusual position: many school districts and education agencies classify these roles under social services or education support rather than specialty occupation, which affects your H-1B visa transition timeline. STEM OPT extensions generally do not apply here unless your degree is in a qualifying STEM field.
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Get Access To All JobsWhy Friendship Online?
Friendship Public Charter School Online (Friendship PCS Online) is a unique partnership between the Friendship Public Charter School and Stride K12. Our students are proud members of the Friendship family who engage with their education in a virtual environment. Friendship PCS Online offers the engaging and rigorous Stride K12 curriculum in an effort to provide our students with current, meaningful, and interactive lessons in reading, language arts, mathematics, history, science, music, and art. Friendship PCS Online even offers world language courses in five languages, including Spanish, German, French, Latin, and Chinese.
Our students range from kindergarten to grade 8 and are assisted by highly motivated, passionate teachers both virtually and in person. Our academic leaders and teachers also support parents or other adults in the home as they take on an important role as a student’s Learning Coach. Although many of the lessons and learning activities occur online and in the home, Friendship Public Charter School Online students are often brought together through face-to-face learning sessions at the Nicholson Street Campus. Our students and families are also invited and encouraged to attend a wide variety of fun and educational family outings and field trips each month.
Overview:
Thank you for your interest in joining Friendship Public Charter School! We are excited to review applications for anticipated vacancies for the 2026–2027 school year.
Our formal interview process will begin in January 2026 for all confirmed openings. Please note that some roles may be posted in advance of confirmation, and internal applicants will be considered first for any potential vacancies.
Friendship Public Charter School operates a network of high-performing, college-preparatory public charter schools serving students from pre-K3 through 12th grade. Our mission is to provide a world-class education that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and character necessary for success in college, career, and life.
We are seeking dedicated, mission-aligned professionals to join our team for the 2026–2027 school year. If you are committed to accelerating student achievement, fostering joyful and rigorous learning, and preparing students for bright postsecondary futures, we encourage you to apply.
We look forward to learning more about you and your passion for serving students in Washington, DC.
For more information about our schools please visit the following Social Media pages: YouTube, Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram & Twitter! Please see the available salary scales: FPCS Compensation
Responsibilities:
- Set and maintain high academic and behavioral expectations for all students
- Lead students to high levels of academic success in an urban school environment
- Create a welcoming, positive learning environment that motivates and engages students
- Provides in-person classroom assistance to teachers or assists a virtual teacher with conducting classroom activities
- Pulls small groups for differentiated learning in remediation and/or acceleration
- Work in concert with their colleagues to collect informal and formal data of students to assist with grouping and individualized support plans
- Work one-on-one with students for intensive tutoring, credit recovery, and academic support
- Operates technology to include cameras, learning platforms, and learning tools
- Helps maintain order and discipline and assists in managing the behavior of students
- Provides supervision throughout the school day including in the classroom, halls, lunch, recess, and specials
- Performs administrative and non-instructional duties, such as keeping daily attendance; and ensures all CDC/safety protocols and procedures (e.g., fire drills) are implemented and followed
- Maintain high ethical standards and open communication with students, teachers, parents and school administrators
- Consistently seek and share best practices with colleagues as an active and effective participant in a Professional Learning Community
- Develop formative assessments, analyze results and adjust teaching practices to ensure student understanding of material
- Utilize literacy strategies across all content areas and design rubrics to measure student mastery
- Design and deliver engaging instruction addressing the needs of a full range of student learning styles
- Maximize learning time by continually adjusting teaching practices
- Adhere to school management and discipline policies within classroom and school campus
- Team members working at one of Friendship’s Online Academies will work in a hybrid capacity, with a potential of 3 days a week in person and 2 days a week virtually in collaboration with other team members, scholars, and learning coaches. Throughout the year, there will also be times when team members will report in-person to support testing, participate in check and connect sessions, field trips, in-person tutoring, professional development, etc. Friendship’s Online Academy Team Members are required to participate in all in-person activities. The number of in-person days varies from month to month depending on scheduled activities.
Qualifications:
- Experience in the role preferred
- At least 60 hours of college credit from an accredited college/university or successful completion of the ETS Para-Pro exam or a CDA completion (Required)
- Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood, Education, or another Liberal Arts Program (Preferred)
- Strong verbal, and written communication skills
- Familiarity with student incentive programs
- Experience working with student in a tutoring or substitute teaching capacity
- Demonstrates knowledge of subjects assigned, educational and child/adolescent psychology, human relations, and class management
FPCS’s policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, status as a special disabled veteran, or any other protected criteria as established by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to recruitment and hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, transfer, layoff, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment. Employment decisions at FPCS are based solely upon relevant criteria, including an individual’s capabilities, qualifications, training, experience and suitability.
Why Friendship Online?
Friendship Public Charter School Online (Friendship PCS Online) is a unique partnership between the Friendship Public Charter School and Stride K12. Our students are proud members of the Friendship family who engage with their education in a virtual environment. Friendship PCS Online offers the engaging and rigorous Stride K12 curriculum in an effort to provide our students with current, meaningful, and interactive lessons in reading, language arts, mathematics, history, science, music, and art. Friendship PCS Online even offers world language courses in five languages, including Spanish, German, French, Latin, and Chinese.
Our students range from kindergarten to grade 8 and are assisted by highly motivated, passionate teachers both virtually and in person. Our academic leaders and teachers also support parents or other adults in the home as they take on an important role as a student’s Learning Coach. Although many of the lessons and learning activities occur online and in the home, Friendship Public Charter School Online students are often brought together through face-to-face learning sessions at the Nicholson Street Campus. Our students and families are also invited and encouraged to attend a wide variety of fun and educational family outings and field trips each month.
Overview:
Thank you for your interest in joining Friendship Public Charter School! We are excited to review applications for anticipated vacancies for the 2026–2027 school year.
Our formal interview process will begin in January 2026 for all confirmed openings. Please note that some roles may be posted in advance of confirmation, and internal applicants will be considered first for any potential vacancies.
Friendship Public Charter School operates a network of high-performing, college-preparatory public charter schools serving students from pre-K3 through 12th grade. Our mission is to provide a world-class education that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and character necessary for success in college, career, and life.
We are seeking dedicated, mission-aligned professionals to join our team for the 2026–2027 school year. If you are committed to accelerating student achievement, fostering joyful and rigorous learning, and preparing students for bright postsecondary futures, we encourage you to apply.
We look forward to learning more about you and your passion for serving students in Washington, DC.
For more information about our schools please visit the following Social Media pages: YouTube, Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram & Twitter! Please see the available salary scales: FPCS Compensation
Responsibilities:
- Set and maintain high academic and behavioral expectations for all students
- Lead students to high levels of academic success in an urban school environment
- Create a welcoming, positive learning environment that motivates and engages students
- Provides in-person classroom assistance to teachers or assists a virtual teacher with conducting classroom activities
- Pulls small groups for differentiated learning in remediation and/or acceleration
- Work in concert with their colleagues to collect informal and formal data of students to assist with grouping and individualized support plans
- Work one-on-one with students for intensive tutoring, credit recovery, and academic support
- Operates technology to include cameras, learning platforms, and learning tools
- Helps maintain order and discipline and assists in managing the behavior of students
- Provides supervision throughout the school day including in the classroom, halls, lunch, recess, and specials
- Performs administrative and non-instructional duties, such as keeping daily attendance; and ensures all CDC/safety protocols and procedures (e.g., fire drills) are implemented and followed
- Maintain high ethical standards and open communication with students, teachers, parents and school administrators
- Consistently seek and share best practices with colleagues as an active and effective participant in a Professional Learning Community
- Develop formative assessments, analyze results and adjust teaching practices to ensure student understanding of material
- Utilize literacy strategies across all content areas and design rubrics to measure student mastery
- Design and deliver engaging instruction addressing the needs of a full range of student learning styles
- Maximize learning time by continually adjusting teaching practices
- Adhere to school management and discipline policies within classroom and school campus
- Team members working at one of Friendship’s Online Academies will work in a hybrid capacity, with a potential of 3 days a week in person and 2 days a week virtually in collaboration with other team members, scholars, and learning coaches. Throughout the year, there will also be times when team members will report in-person to support testing, participate in check and connect sessions, field trips, in-person tutoring, professional development, etc. Friendship’s Online Academy Team Members are required to participate in all in-person activities. The number of in-person days varies from month to month depending on scheduled activities.
Qualifications:
- Experience in the role preferred
- At least 60 hours of college credit from an accredited college/university or successful completion of the ETS Para-Pro exam or a CDA completion (Required)
- Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood, Education, or another Liberal Arts Program (Preferred)
- Strong verbal, and written communication skills
- Familiarity with student incentive programs
- Experience working with student in a tutoring or substitute teaching capacity
- Demonstrates knowledge of subjects assigned, educational and child/adolescent psychology, human relations, and class management
FPCS’s policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, status as a special disabled veteran, or any other protected criteria as established by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to recruitment and hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, transfer, layoff, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment. Employment decisions at FPCS are based solely upon relevant criteria, including an individual’s capabilities, qualifications, training, experience and suitability.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Paraprofessional
Verify your OPT work authorization covers the role
Paraprofessional positions must be directly related to your degree field for OPT eligibility. If your degree is in education, psychology, or social work, confirm the job description aligns before accepting an offer to avoid work authorization violations.
Understand the specialty occupation question early
Many paraprofessional roles lack a hard bachelor's degree requirement, which creates complications for H-1B visa sponsorship later. Clarify with your employer whether they can document the role as a specialty occupation before your OPT period ends.
Target school districts with established visa sponsorship history
Large urban school districts and private education organizations are more likely to have HR infrastructure for sponsoring work visas. Smaller rural districts often lack the legal resources to file sponsorship paperwork even when they want to hire.
Track your OPT end date against the academic calendar
School-year contracts often end in June, and OPT authorization may expire mid-semester or mid-year. Confirm your authorization dates align with contract periods so you and your employer avoid gaps that disrupt classroom continuity.
Use your practical training period to build a documented record
Concrete outcomes, IEP contributions, and student progress data strengthen a sponsorship case. Employers filing on your behalf need documented evidence of specialized knowledge and measurable impact, not just a list of daily responsibilities.
Ask about TN or O-1 pathways if H-1B sponsorship is uncertain
Canadian and Mexican nationals may qualify for TN visa status in select education categories. Candidates with exceptional recognition in special education or behavioral support may qualify for O-1 visa. Explore all options before assuming H-1B is the only path.
Paraprofessional OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a paraprofessional on OPT?
Yes, if the position is directly related to your degree field. A degree in education, psychology, special education, or social work typically satisfies the relatedness requirement. General paraprofessional roles that any bachelor's degree holder could fill may be harder to justify as a valid OPT position, so review the job description carefully against your field of study before applying.
Do paraprofessional employers commonly sponsor H-1B visas?
It depends heavily on the employer type and how the role is classified. Large urban school districts and private special education organizations occasionally sponsor H-1B petitions, but the specialty occupation standard is a genuine hurdle for paraprofessional titles. Roles requiring a specific degree in education or behavioral science are better positioned than general instructional aide positions. Browse paraprofessional listings with sponsorship filters on Migrate Mate to identify which employers have a history of supporting international candidates.
Does a STEM OPT extension apply to paraprofessional roles?
Only if your degree is in a STEM-designated field and your employer is E-Verify enrolled. Education and social work degrees are not on the STEM OPT designated degree program list, so most paraprofessionals working in schools will not qualify. If your degree is in psychology with a CIP code that appears on the STEM list, verify your specific program with your DSO before assuming extension eligibility.
What degree fields are most relevant for OPT paraprofessional jobs?
Special education, early childhood education, educational psychology, applied behavior analysis, and social work are the most directly aligned fields. Some employers also accept degrees in child development, rehabilitation science, or counseling. The stronger the match between your coursework and the student population you will support, such as students with IEPs or developmental disabilities, the easier it is to document OPT eligibility and later build a sponsorship case.
How do I find paraprofessional jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Many school districts do not label postings as OPT-friendly even when they are open to it, so filtering by visa sponsorship willingness is more efficient than reading individual job descriptions. Migrate Mate surfaces paraprofessional and education support roles with work authorization filters built for F-1 students, so you can focus on employers already comfortable with OPT rather than spending time on outreach that goes nowhere.