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.
Find OPT Special Education Teacher JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 364+ Special Education Teacher jobs
See all 364+ 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 JobsSpecial Education Teacher (ESL or Bilingual Endorsed)
Job Number: P173541
Posting Date: Aug 7, 2026, 2:17:43 PM
Primary Location: West Side-2850 West 24th Blvd (Maria Saucedo Scholastic Acad)
Salary Range: $64,469.94 to $82,839.39
JOB DESCRIPTION - ABOUT CPS: We are an urban district on the rise. The support and resources we provide to our staff enables them to make the greatest difference where it’s needed most. Be a part of the change. Our mission is to provide a high quality public education for every child, in every neighborhood, that prepares each for success in college, career and civic life.
Position Title: Diverse Learners Teacher
Under the supervision of the school principal, teachers are responsible for the instruction, progress, tracking, and discipline of all students in assigned classes, and performs other duties as assigned and required.
Specialty Functions:
- A valid teaching license issued by the Illinois State Board of Education, endorsed in LBS1
- Set goals for the individualized education plan that are achievable and comparable to a student's peers in accordance with the State of Illinois IEP guidelines
- Work collaboratively with case managers, counselors, and general education teachers to determine instructional and social needs of students that ensure success while also participating on the multidisciplinary team to promote students' wellbeing
Essential Functions:
Within the context of the CPS Framework for Teaching, all teachers should utilize a continuous improvement process that refines his or her teaching practice. Each teacher should...
- Demonstrate a deep understanding of content, pedagogy, and student knowledge, in order to select learning objectives and design coherent instruction and assessments
- Create an environment for effective student learning and growth by establishing a respectful classroom culture with strong management of student behaviors and classroom procedures that promotes and appreciates the cultural, racial, and linguistic diversity of students
- Respond to the needs of all students by designing engaging classroom instruction with appropriately challenging questions, communication and discussion techniques, and instructionally aligned assessments
- Exhibit excellent oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and exercise sound, professional judgment especially in interactions with administration, colleagues, families, and students
- Prioritize student safety through consistent implementation of the Student Code of Conduct and school wide systems of management and discipline
- Personalize student learning through mastery and innovative use of curriculum supplements and technology resources, as available
- Advocate for the district’s vision and commit to our district’s common themes of equity, cultural competence, high expectations, developmental appropriateness, attention to individual students (including those with special needs), appropriate use of technology, and student assumption of responsibility
Minimum Qualifications & Requirements:
- A bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
- Completion of the CPS online application and teaching profile at cps.edu/teach
- A valid teaching license issued by the Illinois State Board of Education, with the appropriate endorsement(s) for the role - information on obtaining a valid teacher license can be found at isbe.net/licensure
Physical Requirements:
- Light Work: Exerting up to twenty (20) pounds of force occasionally, or up to ten (10) pounds of force frequently, or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
Employment Expectations:
- As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), an employee must be an actual resident of the City of Chicago or be willing to become a resident within six months of the date of his/her employment with Chicago Public Schools. For certain high-needs positions, exemptions to this policy may be available.
- All new hires must satisfactorily complete all CPS onboarding requirements which include, but are not limited to, passing a tuberculosis test, drug test and state and federal criminal background checks. CPS is a drug and alcohol free workplace.
It is the policy of the Board to prohibit unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation on the basis of any classifications protected by the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Illinois and applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances, including but not limited to discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy discrimination), gender identity/expression, age, religion, disability, national origin or sexual orientation. Concerns or Inquiries should be made to the Equal Opportunity Compliance Office Administrator at (773) 553-1013. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and related regulations concerning sex discrimination also should be referred to the CPS Equal Opportunity Compliance Office (773) 553-1195.
Benefits:
Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice
CPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. You'll have access to a variety of choices to best fit your needs:
- Medical Plan Options
- Pharmacy
- Dental
- Vision
- Behavioral Health & EAP
- Employee Wellness Program
Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow
We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options:
- Basic Life Insurance
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Pension Plans
- Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
- Spot Pet Insurance
Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life
CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies:
- Paid Leave
- Sick Leave
- Vacation Days
- Parental Leaves
- Short-Term Disability
- Religious Holidays
- Leaves
Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for comprehensive details.
Special Education Teacher (ESL or Bilingual Endorsed)
Job Number: P173541
Posting Date: Aug 7, 2026, 2:17:43 PM
Primary Location: West Side-2850 West 24th Blvd (Maria Saucedo Scholastic Acad)
Salary Range: $64,469.94 to $82,839.39
JOB DESCRIPTION - ABOUT CPS: We are an urban district on the rise. The support and resources we provide to our staff enables them to make the greatest difference where it’s needed most. Be a part of the change. Our mission is to provide a high quality public education for every child, in every neighborhood, that prepares each for success in college, career and civic life.
Position Title: Diverse Learners Teacher
Under the supervision of the school principal, teachers are responsible for the instruction, progress, tracking, and discipline of all students in assigned classes, and performs other duties as assigned and required.
Specialty Functions:
- A valid teaching license issued by the Illinois State Board of Education, endorsed in LBS1
- Set goals for the individualized education plan that are achievable and comparable to a student's peers in accordance with the State of Illinois IEP guidelines
- Work collaboratively with case managers, counselors, and general education teachers to determine instructional and social needs of students that ensure success while also participating on the multidisciplinary team to promote students' wellbeing
Essential Functions:
Within the context of the CPS Framework for Teaching, all teachers should utilize a continuous improvement process that refines his or her teaching practice. Each teacher should...
- Demonstrate a deep understanding of content, pedagogy, and student knowledge, in order to select learning objectives and design coherent instruction and assessments
- Create an environment for effective student learning and growth by establishing a respectful classroom culture with strong management of student behaviors and classroom procedures that promotes and appreciates the cultural, racial, and linguistic diversity of students
- Respond to the needs of all students by designing engaging classroom instruction with appropriately challenging questions, communication and discussion techniques, and instructionally aligned assessments
- Exhibit excellent oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and exercise sound, professional judgment especially in interactions with administration, colleagues, families, and students
- Prioritize student safety through consistent implementation of the Student Code of Conduct and school wide systems of management and discipline
- Personalize student learning through mastery and innovative use of curriculum supplements and technology resources, as available
- Advocate for the district’s vision and commit to our district’s common themes of equity, cultural competence, high expectations, developmental appropriateness, attention to individual students (including those with special needs), appropriate use of technology, and student assumption of responsibility
Minimum Qualifications & Requirements:
- A bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
- Completion of the CPS online application and teaching profile at cps.edu/teach
- A valid teaching license issued by the Illinois State Board of Education, with the appropriate endorsement(s) for the role - information on obtaining a valid teacher license can be found at isbe.net/licensure
Physical Requirements:
- Light Work: Exerting up to twenty (20) pounds of force occasionally, or up to ten (10) pounds of force frequently, or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
Employment Expectations:
- As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), an employee must be an actual resident of the City of Chicago or be willing to become a resident within six months of the date of his/her employment with Chicago Public Schools. For certain high-needs positions, exemptions to this policy may be available.
- All new hires must satisfactorily complete all CPS onboarding requirements which include, but are not limited to, passing a tuberculosis test, drug test and state and federal criminal background checks. CPS is a drug and alcohol free workplace.
It is the policy of the Board to prohibit unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation on the basis of any classifications protected by the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Illinois and applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances, including but not limited to discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy discrimination), gender identity/expression, age, religion, disability, national origin or sexual orientation. Concerns or Inquiries should be made to the Equal Opportunity Compliance Office Administrator at (773) 553-1013. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and related regulations concerning sex discrimination also should be referred to the CPS Equal Opportunity Compliance Office (773) 553-1195.
Benefits:
Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice
CPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. You'll have access to a variety of choices to best fit your needs:
- Medical Plan Options
- Pharmacy
- Dental
- Vision
- Behavioral Health & EAP
- Employee Wellness Program
Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow
We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options:
- Basic Life Insurance
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Pension Plans
- Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
- Spot Pet Insurance
Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life
CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies:
- Paid Leave
- Sick Leave
- Vacation Days
- Parental Leaves
- Short-Term Disability
- Religious Holidays
- Leaves
Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for comprehensive details.
See all 364+ 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.