OPT Special Education Teacher Jobs
Special Education Teacher roles on OPT require active SEVP-maintained employment in a field directly related to your degree in special education, exceptional student education, or a closely related discipline. Most positions are in public K-12 schools, which can sponsor H-1B visa or offer STEM OPT extensions if your program qualifies.
See All OPT Special Education Teacher JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 483+ Special Education 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 483+ Special Education Teacher Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Special Education Teacher roles.
Get Access To All JobsDescription
Role Mission: IDEA Special Education teachers are responsible for the achievement and support of special education. Special Education teachers develop individualized plans and work with students who have a wide range of learning, cognitive, emotional, and physical disabilities. They provide in-class support for various subjects, such as reading, writing, and math, to students with outlined service minutes support. They also teach content mastery for students with outlined accommodations and service minutes support. The IDEA Special Education teacher provides the crucial bridge between home and school for our highest need students and their families.
What We Offer
Compensation:
- The starting teacher salary for 0 years of experience is $57,500. This role is eligible for various stipends based on certifications, credentials, and campus leadership ranging from $500-$4,000 each. We also offer additional performance-based compensation. For more information about our compensation and total rewards, visit our compensation and benefits page.
- Additional hourly compensation is provided for after school tutoring or Saturday school as assigned.
Other Benefits:
We offer a comprehensive benefits plan, covering the majority of the employee premium for the base medical plan and subsidizing the majority of costs for a spouse/domestic partner and children. Some of the special benefits we offer at IDEA include:
- Paid Family Leave: Eligible staff may receive up to 8 weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, based on their tenure with the organization and caregiver designation.
- Tuition Reimbursement: Staff members may apply for up to 50% of tuition paid toward a qualifying degree program, up to $5,250 maximum per year subject to manager discretion and budget availability.
- Employer-Paid Mental/Behavioral Health: 5 face-to-face counseling sessions within a year, unlimited 24/7 telephonic counseling, and other work-life services available at no cost.
Other benefits include dental and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. IDEA may offer a relocation allowance to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.
What You Bring - Competencies
Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year educational institution (required)
- Experience: Experience in a Special Education classroom setting (strongly preferred)
- Licenses or Certifications: Valid Texas state certification in Special Education (required)
Knowledge and Skills:
- Knowledge of core academic subject assigned
- Knowledge of curriculum and instruction
- Ability to instruct students and manage student behavior
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to adjust and adapt to a multitude of situations in the school environment
- Ability to facilitate Admission, Review and Dismissal meetings
- Strong family engagement and communication
- Record of results for students who are academically at risk
What You’ll Do - Accountabilities
Special Education Teacher Responsibilities:
- Adapt lessons to meet the needs of students.
- Develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for a caseload of students.
- Implement IEPs, assess students’ performance, and track their progress.
- Update IEPs throughout the school year to reflect students’ progress and goals.
- Assess students’ skills to determine their needs and to develop teaching plans.
- Teach small groups consisting of students that are academically at risk in reading and/or math to include students in general education, 504, response-to-intervention, Special Education and English Language Learners.
- Collect and analyze student data in order to make effective decisions to maximize achievement.
- Discuss student’s progress with parents, teachers, counselors, and administrators.
- Prepare and help students transition from grade to grade and after graduation.
- Implement state learning standards and IDEA curricula and assessments to meet ambitious academic expectations.
- Submit weekly lesson plans two weeks in advance for feedback.
- Implement formal and informal assessments to track each individual student’s progress and learning needs, adjust lesson plans accordingly and update gradebook weekly.
- Communicate students’ progress with student and family on a weekly basis.
- Effective facilitation and personal use of technology as a communication and educational tool to improve student achievement and manage work related tasks.
- Implement a clear and consistent behavior management system that aligns to campus-wide initiatives while developing students’ character and sense of community in the classroom.
- Help shape and develop a school wide culture that fosters a productive and enthusiastic learning environment for each student.
- Establish and maintain a cooperative working relationship with students and families based on trust, understanding and respect for the communities in which they identify.
- Host necessary tutoring sessions to meet all students’ needs.
- Participate in weekly manager check-ins, grade-level meetings, before and after-school duties, and school wide meetings and functions.
- Engage in summer and year-long district, school and personal learning and development.
- Minimum of 40+ hours spent at school per week.
- Additional responsibilities may include: after-school tutoring or Saturday school and are based on the needs of our scholars.
We look for Team and Family who embody the following values and characteristics:
- Believes and is committed to our mission and being an agent of change: that all students are capable of getting to and through college.
- Has demonstrated effective outcomes and results, and wants to be held accountable for them.
- Has a propensity for action, willing to make mistakes by doing in order to learn and improve quickly.
- Works with urgency and purpose to drive student outcomes.
- Thrives in an entrepreneurial, high-growth environment; is comfortable with ambiguity and change.
- Seeks and responds well to feedback, which is shared often and freely across all levels of the organization.
- Works through silos and forges strong cross-departmental relationships in order to achieve outcomes.
- We believe in education as a profession and hold ourselves to high level of conduct, professionalism and behaviors as models for our colleagues and students.
Supervisory Responsibilities (if applicable):
- Oversee the daily work and responsibilities of a Special Education Co-Teacher (para-professional) in the RISE classroom.
About IDEA Public Schools
At IDEA Public Schools, we believe each and every child can go to college. Since 2000, IDEA Public Schools has grown from a small school with 150 students to a multi-state network of tuition-free, Pre-K-12 public charter schools.
IDEA Public Schools boasts national rankings on The Washington Post and U.S. News & World Report’s top high schools lists. IDEA serves over 80,000 college-bound students in 143 schools across Texas, Florida, Ohio, and is on-track to maintain its legacy of sending 100% of its graduates to college.
When you choose to work at IDEA, you are part of our IDEA Team and Family. You will work alongside team members who set and reach ambitious goals every day, are excited to continue to grow with IDEA, and work relentlessly to make college for all a reality.
Staff Experience
At IDEA, the Staff Experience Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members. Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here!
To Apply
Please submit your application online through Jobvite. It’s in your best interest to apply as soon as possible.
Description
Role Mission: IDEA Special Education teachers are responsible for the achievement and support of special education. Special Education teachers develop individualized plans and work with students who have a wide range of learning, cognitive, emotional, and physical disabilities. They provide in-class support for various subjects, such as reading, writing, and math, to students with outlined service minutes support. They also teach content mastery for students with outlined accommodations and service minutes support. The IDEA Special Education teacher provides the crucial bridge between home and school for our highest need students and their families.
What We Offer
Compensation:
- The starting teacher salary for 0 years of experience is $57,500. This role is eligible for various stipends based on certifications, credentials, and campus leadership ranging from $500-$4,000 each. We also offer additional performance-based compensation. For more information about our compensation and total rewards, visit our compensation and benefits page.
- Additional hourly compensation is provided for after school tutoring or Saturday school as assigned.
Other Benefits:
We offer a comprehensive benefits plan, covering the majority of the employee premium for the base medical plan and subsidizing the majority of costs for a spouse/domestic partner and children. Some of the special benefits we offer at IDEA include:
- Paid Family Leave: Eligible staff may receive up to 8 weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, based on their tenure with the organization and caregiver designation.
- Tuition Reimbursement: Staff members may apply for up to 50% of tuition paid toward a qualifying degree program, up to $5,250 maximum per year subject to manager discretion and budget availability.
- Employer-Paid Mental/Behavioral Health: 5 face-to-face counseling sessions within a year, unlimited 24/7 telephonic counseling, and other work-life services available at no cost.
Other benefits include dental and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. IDEA may offer a relocation allowance to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.
What You Bring - Competencies
Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year educational institution (required)
- Experience: Experience in a Special Education classroom setting (strongly preferred)
- Licenses or Certifications: Valid Texas state certification in Special Education (required)
Knowledge and Skills:
- Knowledge of core academic subject assigned
- Knowledge of curriculum and instruction
- Ability to instruct students and manage student behavior
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to adjust and adapt to a multitude of situations in the school environment
- Ability to facilitate Admission, Review and Dismissal meetings
- Strong family engagement and communication
- Record of results for students who are academically at risk
What You’ll Do - Accountabilities
Special Education Teacher Responsibilities:
- Adapt lessons to meet the needs of students.
- Develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for a caseload of students.
- Implement IEPs, assess students’ performance, and track their progress.
- Update IEPs throughout the school year to reflect students’ progress and goals.
- Assess students’ skills to determine their needs and to develop teaching plans.
- Teach small groups consisting of students that are academically at risk in reading and/or math to include students in general education, 504, response-to-intervention, Special Education and English Language Learners.
- Collect and analyze student data in order to make effective decisions to maximize achievement.
- Discuss student’s progress with parents, teachers, counselors, and administrators.
- Prepare and help students transition from grade to grade and after graduation.
- Implement state learning standards and IDEA curricula and assessments to meet ambitious academic expectations.
- Submit weekly lesson plans two weeks in advance for feedback.
- Implement formal and informal assessments to track each individual student’s progress and learning needs, adjust lesson plans accordingly and update gradebook weekly.
- Communicate students’ progress with student and family on a weekly basis.
- Effective facilitation and personal use of technology as a communication and educational tool to improve student achievement and manage work related tasks.
- Implement a clear and consistent behavior management system that aligns to campus-wide initiatives while developing students’ character and sense of community in the classroom.
- Help shape and develop a school wide culture that fosters a productive and enthusiastic learning environment for each student.
- Establish and maintain a cooperative working relationship with students and families based on trust, understanding and respect for the communities in which they identify.
- Host necessary tutoring sessions to meet all students’ needs.
- Participate in weekly manager check-ins, grade-level meetings, before and after-school duties, and school wide meetings and functions.
- Engage in summer and year-long district, school and personal learning and development.
- Minimum of 40+ hours spent at school per week.
- Additional responsibilities may include: after-school tutoring or Saturday school and are based on the needs of our scholars.
We look for Team and Family who embody the following values and characteristics:
- Believes and is committed to our mission and being an agent of change: that all students are capable of getting to and through college.
- Has demonstrated effective outcomes and results, and wants to be held accountable for them.
- Has a propensity for action, willing to make mistakes by doing in order to learn and improve quickly.
- Works with urgency and purpose to drive student outcomes.
- Thrives in an entrepreneurial, high-growth environment; is comfortable with ambiguity and change.
- Seeks and responds well to feedback, which is shared often and freely across all levels of the organization.
- Works through silos and forges strong cross-departmental relationships in order to achieve outcomes.
- We believe in education as a profession and hold ourselves to high level of conduct, professionalism and behaviors as models for our colleagues and students.
Supervisory Responsibilities (if applicable):
- Oversee the daily work and responsibilities of a Special Education Co-Teacher (para-professional) in the RISE classroom.
About IDEA Public Schools
At IDEA Public Schools, we believe each and every child can go to college. Since 2000, IDEA Public Schools has grown from a small school with 150 students to a multi-state network of tuition-free, Pre-K-12 public charter schools.
IDEA Public Schools boasts national rankings on The Washington Post and U.S. News & World Report’s top high schools lists. IDEA serves over 80,000 college-bound students in 143 schools across Texas, Florida, Ohio, and is on-track to maintain its legacy of sending 100% of its graduates to college.
When you choose to work at IDEA, you are part of our IDEA Team and Family. You will work alongside team members who set and reach ambitious goals every day, are excited to continue to grow with IDEA, and work relentlessly to make college for all a reality.
Staff Experience
At IDEA, the Staff Experience Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members. Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here!
To Apply
Please submit your application online through Jobvite. It’s in your best interest to apply as soon as possible.
See all 483+ OPT Special Education Teacher Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Special Education Teacher Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Special Education Teacher
Target school districts with established visa sponsorship history
Large urban and suburban school districts hire international teachers more regularly and have HR infrastructure to handle OPT and H-1B visa paperwork. Smaller rural districts often lack the legal resources to sponsor, so focus your search accordingly.
Verify your degree qualifies as directly related
SEVP requires OPT employment to be directly related to your major. A degree in special education, applied behavior analysis, or exceptional student education clearly qualifies. A general education degree may require documentation showing the connection to your specific role.
Obtain state licensure before your OPT start date
Most states require a valid teaching license before you can be hired as a special education teacher. Start your licensure application early since background checks and processing can take six to twelve weeks, sometimes longer.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship during the offer stage, not after
School districts that sponsor visas know it upfront. Raise the question before accepting an offer so both parties understand the timeline. Waiting until your OPT expires creates unnecessary urgency and reduces your leverage in the conversation.
Document all hours carefully to protect your OPT status
Special education teachers sometimes work across multiple schools or part-time contracts. SEVP requires at least 20 hours per week to count as valid OPT employment. Keep records of your schedule and any contract changes to avoid status violations.
Explore cap-exempt employer pathways for H-1B transition
Nonprofit educational institutions affiliated with universities may qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers, letting you bypass the lottery entirely. If a university-affiliated school or research institution has a special education program, that could be a strategic placement.
Special Education Teacher OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Special Education Teacher on OPT?
Yes, as long as your OPT is authorized and your employment is directly related to your degree in special education or a closely related field. Public school districts, private schools, and nonprofit educational organizations all qualify as valid OPT employers. You must work at least 20 hours per week to maintain valid OPT employment status.
Do Special Education Teacher jobs typically offer H-1B sponsorship?
Some do, but it varies significantly by district. Large urban school districts with dedicated HR departments and a history of hiring international educators are the most likely to sponsor. Smaller or rural districts often do not have the administrative capacity. Migrate Mate filters for sponsoring employers so you can focus your applications on districts already willing to sponsor.
Does a special education degree qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Most standard special education degrees do not appear on the STEM Designated Degree Program List. However, degrees in applied behavior analysis, educational technology, or certain data-driven special education programs may qualify depending on how your program is classified by your institution. Check with your DSO to confirm your specific CIP code before assuming eligibility.
What happens if I need a teaching license but my OPT has already started?
You can be hired and paid while completing licensure requirements in most states, provided your employer documents the in-progress credential. However, some states prohibit a teacher of record from working without a valid license. Confirm your state's rules with your district's HR team before your start date to avoid any employment interruption that could affect your OPT status.
Can I work for multiple schools or on a contract basis during OPT?
Yes. Multiple concurrent employers are permitted under OPT as long as each position is directly related to your degree and your combined hours total at least 20 per week. Each employer must be reported to your DSO. Self-employment or independent contracting is generally not permitted under standard OPT work authorization for teaching roles.