Special Education Teaching Assistant Jobs in Texas
Special Education Teaching Assistant jobs in Texas are in strong, sustained demand across public school districts, private therapeutic centers, and early intervention programs, with openings at every level from classroom aide to senior paraprofessional supporting students with complex needs. The heaviest hiring concentrates in Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, and San Antonio, where large employers like Houston Independent School District, Dallas Independent School District, and Northside ISD maintain consistent openings year-round. The most sought-after specialties in Texas include autism support, applied behavior analysis paraprofessional roles, and life skills instruction for students with significant disabilities. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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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 Teaching Assistant Jobs in Texas
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Find JobsSpecial Education Teaching Assistant Jobs by City in Texas
Where Texas roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Special Education Teaching 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 teaching assistant jobs across Texas.
- Hold a valid Texas paraprofessional certificate issued by the Texas Education Agency
- Associate degree or at least 48 college credit hours from an accredited institution
- Experience working directly with students who have special needs or disabilities
- Familiarity with Individualized Education Program documentation and implementation
- Ability to pass a Texas criminal background check and fingerprinting clearance
- Strong communication skills for collaborating with special education teachers and families
Special Education Teaching Assistant Jobs in Texas: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a special education teaching assistant in Texas?
To work as a special education teaching assistant in Texas, you must earn a paraprofessional certificate through the Texas Education Agency, which requires either an associate degree or at least 48 semester credit hours from an accredited college. Applicants complete a background check and fingerprinting through the Texas Department of Public Safety. Districts typically require candidates to apply directly through their HR portals, and many prefer coursework in special education, child development, or a related field.
Which companies hire special education teaching assistants in Texas?
Employers hiring special education teaching 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's large urban school districts and regional education service centers together account for the majority of consistent paraprofessional openings across the state.
Which Texas cities have the most special education teaching assistant jobs?
Houston, San Antonio, and Austin have the most special education teaching assistant openings in Texas. Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth lead because their massive independent school districts serve hundreds of thousands of students with disabilities, while San Antonio's concentration of military-connected families and large ISD networks generates steady demand for paraprofessional support staff in inclusive and self-contained classroom settings.
Are there remote special education teaching assistant jobs in Texas?
Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of special education teaching assistant openings tied to Texas are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting how hands-on and student-facing the role is by nature. The small share of remote work tends to involve virtual tutoring programs, teletherapy support roles, or administrative paraprofessional positions that assist special education coordinators without direct daily classroom duties.
How can I get hired as a special education teaching assistant in Texas with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a classroom aide or instructional paraprofessional position with a large Texas ISD while completing your required 48 college credit hours. Houston ISD, Austin ISD, and Dallas ISD all post entry-level paraprofessional roles that provide on-the-job training alongside certified special education teachers. Candidates who earn a paraprofessional certificate through the Texas Education Agency before applying, or who have completed coursework in child development or special education, consistently stand out even without prior paid classroom experience.
Where can I find and apply to special education teaching assistant jobs in Texas?
You can find and apply to special education teaching assistant jobs in Texas on Migrate Mate, which lists current Texas openings from employers hiring right now. Find roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to the employer through the listing.
See All 70 Special Education Teaching Assistant Jobs in Texas
Find roles in Texas that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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