If you’ve been thinking about taking a travel contract in a school setting, you might assume you’ve missed your chance once the school year gets underway. But that’s not necessarily the case. School-based travel contracts can start at different points throughout the year, depending on staffing needs and the position. For healthcare professionals and special education teachers, these contracts can offer the best of both worlds: the opportunity to travel and work in a new community while earning full-time pay and benefits. Some travel contracts can cover an entire school year, while others may be shorter-term opportunities designed to meet staffing needs for a semester, a few months, or a specific period of the year. So, if you’re interested in experiencing a new destination without giving up the stability of full-time employment, it may not be too late to find a school-based travel contract this year.
School-based staffing needs can vary by location, student population, specialty, and time of year. Depending on current openings, you may find travel contract opportunities for professionals such as:
School psychologists support students across academic, behavioral, and emotional needs. Depending on the position, responsibilities may include evaluations, assessments, counseling, behavioral support, and collaborating with teachers, families, and other members of a student’s support team.
Speech-language pathologists work with students who need support with communication, speech, language, or swallowing-related concerns. A school-based contract can provide the opportunity to work with students across different ages and needs while becoming part of an educational team.
School-based occupational therapists help students develop the skills they need to participate in and navigate their educational environment. Depending on the position, OTs may support fine motor skills, sensory needs, activities of daily living, and other functional skills that help students participate more fully at school.
Licensed clinical social workers can provide social and emotional support to students while collaborating with families, educators, and other professionals. Responsibilities may include counseling, crisis intervention, resource coordination, and behavioral or mental health support.
Behavior analysts may work with students who benefit from behavioral assessment and intervention. Their responsibilities can include developing and implementing behavior plans, analyzing progress, and collaborating with educators, families, and other members of a student’s support team.
Special education teachers support students with a wide range of learning, developmental, and behavioral needs. Depending on the position, they may develop individualized instruction, collaborate with families and other educators, adapt curriculum, and help students build the skills they need to succeed in the classroom.
These are just some of the school-based opportunities that may be available. Open positions can change throughout the year, so talking with a recruiter can help you understand what contracts are currently available in your specialty and preferred locations.
A school-based travel contract can offer many of the same benefits that attract healthcare professionals and special education teachers to travel work, including the opportunity to experience a new community while continuing to build your career. You’ll always earn full-time pay and benefits during your school contract! Depending on your contract, you may be able to:
One of the biggest misconceptions about school-based travel contracts is that you have to start at the beginning of the school year. While contracts that align with the full academic year are certainly an option, they aren't the only opportunity. Staffing needs can arise throughout the year because of employee leave, vacancies, changing student needs, enrollment changes, or other unexpected circumstances. Those needs can create openings for healthcare professionals and special education teachers even after the school year is underway.
That can be especially helpful if you’re interested in trying a school-based contract for the first time, want to experience a new location without committing to a full school year, or simply weren’t ready to make a move when the school year began. Instead of thinking, “I missed my chance,” ask, “What school-based contracts are available right now?” You may find that your next opportunity is still out there.
Explore open school-based positions today!