Special Education Instructional Assistant Jobs in Texas
Special Education Instructional Assistant jobs in Texas are among the most consistently in-demand paraprofessional roles in the state, with strong hiring across public school districts, private special education campuses, and regional education service centers at every level from entry-level aide through senior lead paraprofessional. The heaviest concentration of openings is in Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, and San Antonio, where large districts like Houston Independent School District, Dallas Independent School District, and Northside ISD are among the most active employers. The most sought-after specialties include autism support, behavioral intervention, and life skills instruction. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 70+ Special Education Instructional Assistant jobs











Description
Role Mission: The Special Education Co-Teacher position is ideal for a candidate looking to gain valuable experience in Special Education teaching. This position is also ideal for a candidate who has at least 48 college hours, wants challenging work, and the opportunity to advance in his or her education career.
RISE stands for Reaching Independence through Support and Education. IDEA Special Education RISE Co-Teachers work with students with significant cognitive and/or pervasive developmental disabilities. The needs of these students require a functional curriculum focused on the acquisition of daily living and vocational skills leading to a successful transition to adult life within the community. These K-12 classrooms provide instruction in practical academics, communication, community, domestic, leisure/recreation, and vocational skills utilizing a functional curriculum in a general education school building. The classrooms emphasize communication, maximum independence, and opportunities to generalize skills in natural settings as well as participation in general education activities with typical peers. IDEA Special Education RISE Co-Teachers support the Special Education-RISE classroom in the Academy (K-5) or College Prep (6-12) as they work with students in lower student-teacher ratios (often 1 to 3) to support their academic needs.
What We Offer
Compensation:
- Compensation for this role is set at an hourly rate ranging between $16.57 for 0 years of experience and $23.98
- Hourly co-teachers earnings are paid out over a 12-month period
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: At least 48 college hours required, bachelor’s degree preferred
- Experience: Experience working with children with cognitive and/or pervasive developmental disabilities strongly preferred
- Licenses or Certifications: Willingness to pursue a Special Education teaching certification preferred.
- IDEA Co-Teachers with a bachelor’s degree are eligible to enroll in the IDEA Special Education Certification Program (ISECP), an alternative certification program facilitated by South Texas Transition to Teaching (SOTEX). The goal of the program is for all participants to gain a special education certification and become future special education teachers at IDEA.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Capable of physically assisting students with special needs as required (positioning, lifting, transferring, restraining)
- 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
What You’ll Do - Accountabilities
Responsibilities:
- Assist in the educational and social development of students under the direction and guidance of the facilitator and classroom teachers
- Assist in the implementation of Individual Education Plans for the students and monitor their progress
- Provide support for individual students inside and outside of the classroom to enable them to fully participate in activities
- Work with other professionals, such as speech therapist, social worker, occupational and physical therapists
- Assist classroom teachers with maintaining student records
- Support students with emotional or behavior concerns and assist them in developing appropriate social skills
- Assistance of daily living may include feeding, lifting and/or toileting in the Life Skills Unit
- At some campuses, school bus riding to accompany students may be needed before or after school
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
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 the fastest-growing network of tuition-free, Pre-K-12 public charter schools in the United States.
IDEA Public Schools boasts national rankings on The Washington Post and U.S. News & World Report’s top high schools lists. IDEA serves nearly 80,000 college-bound students in 137 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 70 Special Education Instructional Assistant Jobs in Texas
Find roles in Texas that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSpecial Education Instructional Assistant Jobs by City in Texas
Where Texas roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Special Education Instructional Assistant Job Market in Texas
A snapshot from current Texas openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- IDEA Public Schools64

- Austin Independent School District2

- Harmony Public Schools2

- Sam Houston State University1

- Wayland Baptist University1

Top Industries Hiring
- Education69
What Texas Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in special education instructional assistant jobs across Texas.
- High school diploma or GED recognized by the Texas Education Agency
- Paraprofessional proficiency demonstrated through the Texas Paraprofessional Assessment or equivalent
- Experience working with students with disabilities in a classroom or therapeutic setting
- Ability to implement IEP accommodations under the direction of a certified teacher
- Familiarity with Applied Behavior Analysis strategies and positive behavioral support
- Current CPR and first aid certification required by many Texas school districts
Special Education Instructional Assistant Jobs in Texas: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a special education instructional assistant in Texas?
To work as a special education instructional assistant in Texas, you need a high school diploma or GED and must meet the paraprofessional qualification requirements set by the Texas Education Agency. Most districts require passing the TEA-approved paraprofessional assessment or holding at least two years of college credit. No separate state license is required, but you will need to pass a background check and complete any district-required training in areas such as crisis intervention and IEP implementation before your start date.
Which companies hire special education instructional assistants in Texas?
Employers hiring special education instructional assistants in Texas right now include IDEA Public Schools, Austin Independent School District, and Harmony Public Schools, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. Texas also sees consistent hiring from regional education service centers and private therapeutic schools that serve students with complex needs across the state's major metro areas.
Which Texas cities have the most special education instructional assistant jobs?
Houston, San Antonio, and Austin have the most special education instructional assistant openings in Texas. The concentration follows the state's largest school districts, with Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth anchored by massive independent school districts enrolling hundreds of thousands of students, while San Antonio's Northside ISD and North East ISD drive strong suburban demand and smaller cities like Lubbock and El Paso reflect steady regional hiring from their own large unified districts.
Are there remote special education instructional assistant jobs in Texas?
Yes, but they're rare. This role is fundamentally hands-on, requiring direct in-classroom support for students with disabilities, so most positions are on-site by nature. About 0% of special education instructional assistant openings tied to Texas are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those are almost exclusively in roles involving virtual learning programs or administrative support for special education services rather than direct student instruction.
How can I get hired as a special education instructional assistant in Texas with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to a large Texas ISD as a substitute paraprofessional, which many districts use as a pipeline into permanent positions. Houston ISD, Dallas ISD, and Austin ISD all accept applicants with a high school diploma who meet TEA paraprofessional standards, and substitute work builds the classroom exposure that full-time hiring panels look for. Completing a Texas community college course in special education or earning a behavior technician credential through a board-approved program also strengthens your candidacy for competitive openings.
Where can I find and apply to special education instructional assistant jobs in Texas?
You can find and apply to special education instructional assistant jobs in Texas on Migrate Mate, which lists current Texas openings from school districts, private special education campuses, and regional education service centers. Find roles that fit your experience and credentials and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 70 Special Education Instructional Assistant Jobs in Texas
Find roles in Texas that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs