what is a perm? what is a H1 visa?

Would like to know what H1 status is?( because I only heard of E1,E2,E3,as permanent Employment visa.)

And also heard about 3 steps in the whole process : perm- I 140 -I 485-Greencard

As a Chinese language teacher I was offered a job in a private school in FL, do you think i can apply for a perm? Because the employer mentioned about J visa to allow me to at least work for 3 years in the States,is that true? why i never heard about of J Status?

Thank you so much