OPT Special Education Teaching Assistant Jobs
Special Education Teaching Assistant jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in special education, psychology, or a related field. Most roles qualify under STEM OPT if your degree is STEM-designated. School districts regularly hire teaching assistants, and many are familiar with OPT work authorization.
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Get Access To All JobsPosition Title: Special Education Teaching Assistant (K-5) Part-Time
Location: Great Hearts Archway Classical Academy Glendale
(23276 North 83rd Avenue, Peoria, AZ 85383)
Reports To: Headmaster
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Hourly
Hourly Rate: $16-$18
The Instructional Assistant is a non-certified assistant to the Special Education Program at the academy for both general education and special education resource classrooms. The assistant will work to support students in all settings on campus under the direction of and in collaboration with the certified Special Education teachers and General Education teachers. Additional duties may be included, depending on the experience and expertise of the candidate and the specific academy needs.
Distinctive benefits for Great Hearts faculty
- Uniquely valuable professional development offerings, from great books seminars with academy colleagues, to leadership and special education coursework/pathways, to reduced tuition graduate degree support with select partner universities
Roles and Responsibilities:
Academic Support:
- Supports students in small groups or 1:1
- Assist students with assignments, homework, projects
- Understanding how to adapt materials and provide modifications to help students learn the material
- Help students understand the classroom rules and reinforce the classroom rules
Behavior Support:
- Monitor student behavior to ensure safety and appropriate interactions
- Implement behavior management strategies
- Assist students with developing social skills, appropriate interactions, and positive behaviors
- Assist with de-escalating student behaviors and ask for support for General Education Teacher and Special Education Team Members as needed
- Reinforces SDI concepts that have already been in effect
Additional Support:
- Help students with transitions and activities
- Support students with personal hygiene needs such as toileting, feeding, and dressing
- Support students with mobility and adaptive equipment
- Provides general clerical support for the ESS Team
- Attend meetings and training sessions
- Help maintain a clean and organized work area
- Provide a supportive and positive learning environment
Required/Preferred Education: High school degree or higher. Ideally, candidates will hold an associate's degree or higher. Associate degree (preferred) or two years/60 credit hours of higher education or a passing score on an appropriate ADE assessment.
Required/Preferred Experience: Has experience in special education.
Required/Preferred Skills: Excellent oral and written communication skills, and an interest in reading great books.
Physical Functions: Requires but is not limited to standing, sitting, repetitious hand and body movements, bending, squatting, and reaching. May be required to move or position equipment up to 15 pounds approximately.
US work authorization is required, but we do accept OPT/CPT candidates.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.
Travel required: May need to travel locally for training and professional development opportunities.
This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Great Hearts Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Position Title: Special Education Teaching Assistant (K-5) Part-Time
Location: Great Hearts Archway Classical Academy Glendale
(23276 North 83rd Avenue, Peoria, AZ 85383)
Reports To: Headmaster
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Hourly
Hourly Rate: $16-$18
The Instructional Assistant is a non-certified assistant to the Special Education Program at the academy for both general education and special education resource classrooms. The assistant will work to support students in all settings on campus under the direction of and in collaboration with the certified Special Education teachers and General Education teachers. Additional duties may be included, depending on the experience and expertise of the candidate and the specific academy needs.
Distinctive benefits for Great Hearts faculty
- Uniquely valuable professional development offerings, from great books seminars with academy colleagues, to leadership and special education coursework/pathways, to reduced tuition graduate degree support with select partner universities
Roles and Responsibilities:
Academic Support:
- Supports students in small groups or 1:1
- Assist students with assignments, homework, projects
- Understanding how to adapt materials and provide modifications to help students learn the material
- Help students understand the classroom rules and reinforce the classroom rules
Behavior Support:
- Monitor student behavior to ensure safety and appropriate interactions
- Implement behavior management strategies
- Assist students with developing social skills, appropriate interactions, and positive behaviors
- Assist with de-escalating student behaviors and ask for support for General Education Teacher and Special Education Team Members as needed
- Reinforces SDI concepts that have already been in effect
Additional Support:
- Help students with transitions and activities
- Support students with personal hygiene needs such as toileting, feeding, and dressing
- Support students with mobility and adaptive equipment
- Provides general clerical support for the ESS Team
- Attend meetings and training sessions
- Help maintain a clean and organized work area
- Provide a supportive and positive learning environment
Required/Preferred Education: High school degree or higher. Ideally, candidates will hold an associate's degree or higher. Associate degree (preferred) or two years/60 credit hours of higher education or a passing score on an appropriate ADE assessment.
Required/Preferred Experience: Has experience in special education.
Required/Preferred Skills: Excellent oral and written communication skills, and an interest in reading great books.
Physical Functions: Requires but is not limited to standing, sitting, repetitious hand and body movements, bending, squatting, and reaching. May be required to move or position equipment up to 15 pounds approximately.
US work authorization is required, but we do accept OPT/CPT candidates.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.
Travel required: May need to travel locally for training and professional development opportunities.
This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Great Hearts Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Special Education Teaching Assistant
Lead with your OPT authorization clearly
State your OPT status and authorization end date upfront in your application. School HR departments handle compliance carefully, so removing ambiguity early signals professionalism and makes their hiring process smoother.
Target public school districts over private employers
Public school districts operate under federal and state hiring frameworks that make OPT authorization more familiar to HR. They process work authorization documents routinely and are less likely to hesitate over unfamiliar visa status.
Highlight specialized training or certifications
Certifications in Applied Behavior Analysis, crisis intervention, or assistive technology set you apart immediately. Districts with high-need students actively seek candidates with these credentials and are more willing to work through OPT documentation.
Apply before the school year hiring windows close
Most districts hire teaching assistants between March and July for the fall semester. Applying outside this window significantly reduces your options. Align your OPT start date with this cycle whenever possible to maximize your chances.
Clarify your CPT or OPT history honestly
If you completed a practicum or student teaching placement under CPT, document it clearly. Confusion between CPT and OPT experience can slow HR reviews, so a clean explanation of your work authorization timeline builds trust quickly.
Frame your international background as an asset
Many special education classrooms serve students from immigrant or multilingual families. Bilingual candidates or those with cross-cultural experience are genuinely sought after. Mention relevant language skills and cultural competencies explicitly in your cover letter.
Special Education Teaching Assistant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Special Education Teaching Assistant on OPT?
Yes. If your degree is in special education, psychology, human development, or a related field, Special Education Teaching Assistant roles directly support your OPT work authorization requirement that employment must be related to your major. STEM OPT extension may also apply if your degree carries a STEM designation, giving you up to 36 months of total work authorization.
Do school districts typically hire OPT students for teaching assistant roles?
Many public school districts do hire OPT students, particularly in regions with persistent shortages of qualified special education staff. Districts are accustomed to completing I-9 verification and reviewing Employment Authorization Documents. Private schools and charter schools vary more widely, so it is worth confirming OPT familiarity during the interview process before accepting an offer.
Where can I find Special Education Teaching Assistant jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the recommended starting point. It surfaces jobs from employers who are open to hiring international students on OPT, filtering out postings where sponsorship barriers are a known issue. Browsing Migrate Mate saves significant time compared to applying broadly and encountering work authorization rejections after interviews.
Does a Special Education Teaching Assistant role qualify me for a STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your bachelor's or master's degree is in a STEM-designated field, such as applied psychology or cognitive science, you may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension on top of your initial 12-month OPT period. The job itself does not need to be classified as STEM, only your degree program. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO.
What happens to my OPT status if a school district position ends mid-year?
OPT allows up to 90 days of unemployment during your authorization period, or up to 150 days on a STEM OPT extension. If your contract ends unexpectedly, you must begin actively seeking new employment immediately to stay within these limits. Notify your DSO promptly, update your SEVP portal record, and document your job search activity throughout the gap period.