Professional Learning Specialist Jobs for OPT Students
Professional Learning Specialist jobs on OPT typically fall under education, instructional design, or organizational development. Most roles qualify as specialty occupations, supporting a smooth STEM OPT extension if your degree is in education technology, curriculum design, or a related field. Employers in K-12, higher education, and corporate training sectors regularly hire OPT-authorized candidates.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
At Curriculum Associates, we believe in the potential of every child and are changing the face of education technology with award-winning learning programs like i-Ready that serve a third of the nation’s K–8 students. For more than 50 years, our commitment to making classrooms better places, serving educators, and supporting accessible learning experiences for all students has driven the continuous improvement of our innovative programs. Our team of more than 2,500 employees is composed of lifelong learners who stand behind this mission, working tirelessly to serve the educational community with world-class programs and support every day.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Are you an educator transitioning out of the classroom? This is an excellent opportunity to join a mission-driven company focused on creating equitable classrooms for students, and still be part of a school community! Curriculum Associates seeks a Professional Learning Specialist to join our team. The ideal candidate has a background in teaching and/or coaching Mathematics or ELA, as well as experience leading professional development with school and district leaders.
Successful candidates will show flexibility and synergy with different team members including our Sales team, teachers, students, and school districts as part of day-to-day interactions. The Professional Learning Specialist will be responsible for providing targeted professional development, ongoing in-classroom support, data analysis, daily project management, and communication with district and site leaders. Dynamic, engaging leaders who are interested in making a lasting and direct impact with the way schools teach Mathematics/ELA to students from grades K–8 are encouraged to apply.
Why join this team:
- Work with multiple stakeholders across large audiences.
- Attend educational conferences related to your role.
- Experience new environments and challenges on a day-to-day basis.
- Collaborate in a supportive environment filled with feedback loops, a strong virtual community, and shared best practices.
- Help districts choose and implement a product with lasting impact on learning.
The impact you'll have:
- Become an expert on the company’s online Diagnostic and Instruction program and Common Core product.
- Support districts select and implement a product with lasting impact on learning.
- Work with multiple stakeholders across large audiences.
- Support district-wide adoptions of the Ready program and the i-Ready online diagnostic and instruction program.
- Help to ensure equity in the classroom by delivering professional development to teachers, coaches and leaders on how to effectively implement Ready and i-Ready to impact classroom learning.
- Meet teachers where they are and provide tailored on-site support to teachers, coaches and leaders. This may range from providing lesson planning and pacing support, to helping educators analyze data and apply it to instruction, to working with leaders to identify evidence of implementation successes and challenges.
- Collaborate with district leader and site leaders to develop and revise annual professional development plans and schedules.
- Serve as a thought leader for Curriculum Associates, exemplifying the company’s mission-driven approach and commitment to creating better classrooms for students and teachers.
- Stay current and attend company provided educational conferences related to your role, when scheduling permits, and participate in team-provided development.
- Experience new environments and challenges on a day-to-day basis.
- Collaborate in a supportive environment filled with feedback loops, a strong virtual community, and shared best practices.
WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR:
- Bachelor’s degree and 2+ years of experience in teaching, coaching teachers, or providing professional development.
- Fluency using digital tools including online assessments, and a high level of comfort discussing and applying data with teachers and leaders.
- An understanding of principles of adult learning and how to apply them to professional development.
- Ability to manage, monitor, evaluate, and ensure integrity of program implementations.
- Ability to provide high-quality classroom coaching to ensure teachers have the skills necessary to deliver CA solutions effectively.
- Willingness to travel within designated territory as well as to company meetings several times throughout the year (once safe to do so).
- Candidates with a strong working knowledge of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics/ELA, Grades K–8 (or comparable state standards), including both the content standards and the practice standards.
SALARY RANGE FOR THIS ROLE:
$60,750 - $99,750
The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that Curriculum Associates considers in making compensation decisions based on our Compensation Philosophy. Actual base pay within that range will vary based upon several factors including, but not limited to, prior experience and relevant skill sets. At Curriculum Associates, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances for each case.
BENEFITS:
Benefit eligible employees (and their families) are covered by medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees can enroll in our company’s 401k plan and receive an employer match. Employees have access to a flexible vacation and sick policy in addition to twelve paid holidays and a winter office closure between Christmas and New Year's, as well as a number of additional perks and benefits. Ability to keep all travel points for flights and hotels booked for work-related travel. Mileage reimbursement may be available for applicable travel.
TRAVEL:
Travel up to 80% is required and considered an essential function of the job for all educator-facing positions. Travel includes overnight stays at hotels and transportation via car, plane, and/or public transportation. Out-of-state travel may be required based on business demand.
LOCATION:
This position is based in Boise, ID and will be supporting districts nearby. Additionally, a valid driver's license is required for this role.
IMPORTANT:
This is not a remote position.
You must live within 30 miles of the posting location.
INTRODUCTION
At Curriculum Associates, we believe in the potential of every child and are changing the face of education technology with award-winning learning programs like i-Ready that serve a third of the nation’s K–8 students. For more than 50 years, our commitment to making classrooms better places, serving educators, and supporting accessible learning experiences for all students has driven the continuous improvement of our innovative programs. Our team of more than 2,500 employees is composed of lifelong learners who stand behind this mission, working tirelessly to serve the educational community with world-class programs and support every day.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Are you an educator transitioning out of the classroom? This is an excellent opportunity to join a mission-driven company focused on creating equitable classrooms for students, and still be part of a school community! Curriculum Associates seeks a Professional Learning Specialist to join our team. The ideal candidate has a background in teaching and/or coaching Mathematics or ELA, as well as experience leading professional development with school and district leaders.
Successful candidates will show flexibility and synergy with different team members including our Sales team, teachers, students, and school districts as part of day-to-day interactions. The Professional Learning Specialist will be responsible for providing targeted professional development, ongoing in-classroom support, data analysis, daily project management, and communication with district and site leaders. Dynamic, engaging leaders who are interested in making a lasting and direct impact with the way schools teach Mathematics/ELA to students from grades K–8 are encouraged to apply.
Why join this team:
- Work with multiple stakeholders across large audiences.
- Attend educational conferences related to your role.
- Experience new environments and challenges on a day-to-day basis.
- Collaborate in a supportive environment filled with feedback loops, a strong virtual community, and shared best practices.
- Help districts choose and implement a product with lasting impact on learning.
The impact you'll have:
- Become an expert on the company’s online Diagnostic and Instruction program and Common Core product.
- Support districts select and implement a product with lasting impact on learning.
- Work with multiple stakeholders across large audiences.
- Support district-wide adoptions of the Ready program and the i-Ready online diagnostic and instruction program.
- Help to ensure equity in the classroom by delivering professional development to teachers, coaches and leaders on how to effectively implement Ready and i-Ready to impact classroom learning.
- Meet teachers where they are and provide tailored on-site support to teachers, coaches and leaders. This may range from providing lesson planning and pacing support, to helping educators analyze data and apply it to instruction, to working with leaders to identify evidence of implementation successes and challenges.
- Collaborate with district leader and site leaders to develop and revise annual professional development plans and schedules.
- Serve as a thought leader for Curriculum Associates, exemplifying the company’s mission-driven approach and commitment to creating better classrooms for students and teachers.
- Stay current and attend company provided educational conferences related to your role, when scheduling permits, and participate in team-provided development.
- Experience new environments and challenges on a day-to-day basis.
- Collaborate in a supportive environment filled with feedback loops, a strong virtual community, and shared best practices.
WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR:
- Bachelor’s degree and 2+ years of experience in teaching, coaching teachers, or providing professional development.
- Fluency using digital tools including online assessments, and a high level of comfort discussing and applying data with teachers and leaders.
- An understanding of principles of adult learning and how to apply them to professional development.
- Ability to manage, monitor, evaluate, and ensure integrity of program implementations.
- Ability to provide high-quality classroom coaching to ensure teachers have the skills necessary to deliver CA solutions effectively.
- Willingness to travel within designated territory as well as to company meetings several times throughout the year (once safe to do so).
- Candidates with a strong working knowledge of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics/ELA, Grades K–8 (or comparable state standards), including both the content standards and the practice standards.
SALARY RANGE FOR THIS ROLE:
$60,750 - $99,750
The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that Curriculum Associates considers in making compensation decisions based on our Compensation Philosophy. Actual base pay within that range will vary based upon several factors including, but not limited to, prior experience and relevant skill sets. At Curriculum Associates, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances for each case.
BENEFITS:
Benefit eligible employees (and their families) are covered by medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees can enroll in our company’s 401k plan and receive an employer match. Employees have access to a flexible vacation and sick policy in addition to twelve paid holidays and a winter office closure between Christmas and New Year's, as well as a number of additional perks and benefits. Ability to keep all travel points for flights and hotels booked for work-related travel. Mileage reimbursement may be available for applicable travel.
TRAVEL:
Travel up to 80% is required and considered an essential function of the job for all educator-facing positions. Travel includes overnight stays at hotels and transportation via car, plane, and/or public transportation. Out-of-state travel may be required based on business demand.
LOCATION:
This position is based in Boise, ID and will be supporting districts nearby. Additionally, a valid driver's license is required for this role.
IMPORTANT:
This is not a remote position.
You must live within 30 miles of the posting location.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Professional Learning Specialist
Emphasize instructional design credentials
Certifications in instructional design, curriculum frameworks, or learning management systems strengthen your specialty occupation case. USCIS looks for field-specific qualifications, so credentials like ATD or Google for Education carry real weight here.
Align your degree field to the role description
A Professional Learning Specialist role is more defensible as a specialty occupation when your degree is in education, instructional technology, or organizational learning. Highlight that direct alignment in your resume and cover letter every time.
Pursue STEM OPT if your degree qualifies
If your degree in education technology, learning science, or a related STEM-designated field qualifies, the 24-month STEM OPT extension gives you significantly more runway to secure long-term sponsorship, so verify your CIP code with your DSO early.
Build relationships in professional learning communities
Networking within professional development associations and edtech communities connects you with hiring managers at sponsorship-friendly organizations. Peer relationships in these networks often surface unadvertised openings before they reach general job postings.
Professional Learning Specialist jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Professional Learning Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for OPT purposes?
In most cases, yes. The role typically requires a bachelor's degree or higher in education, instructional design, curriculum development, or a related field, which satisfies the specialty occupation definition. Roles that list a general degree as sufficient can weaken the case, so review the job description carefully before applying.
Can I work as a Professional Learning Specialist on STEM OPT?
You can if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as educational technology, learning science, or instructional systems design. Not all education degrees carry a STEM CIP code, so confirm your specific program's classification with your Designated School Official before assuming eligibility for the 24-month extension.
Which types of employers hire Professional Learning Specialists on OPT?
K-12 school districts, community colleges, universities, edtech companies, healthcare systems, and large corporate training departments all hire for this role. Organizations with structured professional development functions tend to be more familiar with OPT work authorization. Browse Migrate Mate to filter for employers actively open to OPT candidates in this field.
How should I explain my OPT status to employers hiring for this role?
Be direct and brief. State that you hold F-1 OPT authorization, include your authorization end date, and note whether you qualify for a STEM extension. Framing it as existing work authorization rather than a sponsorship request removes the most common employer hesitation and keeps the focus on your instructional qualifications.
Will a Professional Learning Specialist employer typically sponsor H-1B after OPT ends?
Sponsorship varies by employer size and HR capacity. Larger school districts, universities, and enterprise edtech companies are more likely to sponsor than small nonprofits or startups. The strongest leverage is demonstrating that your role genuinely requires a specialized degree, which makes the H-1B petition more straightforward for the employer to file.
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