Forums
/ Role / Teaching overseas

Teaching in USA

Last post 24/10/11 at 16:39 by hmkeane, 12 replies
Post started by leavinglondon on 09/05/07 at 23:12

Rate this topic

All Topics
Select colour:
  • leavinglondon avatar
    Offline
    1
    Posted by: leavinglondon 09/05/2007 at 23:12
    Reply
    Joined on 24/02/2007
    Posts 494
    Does anyone know how I could go about finding a teaching job in U.S.A? OR even getting a visa to teach in the USA? i AM A british citizen if this helps...
  • emma_1706 avatar
    Offline
    2
    Posted by: emma_1706 09/05/2007 at 23:22
    Reply
    Joined on 22/04/2004
    Posts 64
    one of the most useful places to look for information is usually the department of education for the state you are looking to move to - check out thier websites, or if possibly speak to someone on the phone. The NYSED website is useful is you take your time to search out the info you need. One way of getting over to the states to teach is to find an employer over there to sponser you a visa - but that isn't saying this is an easy way. Have you considered the VIF program?
  • weewoman avatar
    Offline
    3
    Posted by: weewoman 10/05/2007 at 19:07
    Reply
    Joined on 03/08/2004
    Posts 3,319
    To teach in the US you will need to do the following.

    1. Find a school district that is willing to sponsor your visa. School districts (not the State!!) can sponsor on J1 - this is a three year visa that allows educators to come and teach temporarily. It is rare that a school district will have the money or access to H1B's - a longer term visa with an option to the Green Card program. These are generally reserved for large technology companies.
    2. Find a job. If the school district are willing to sponsor your visa then they must have a job for you. If you are in a specialist demand area like Special Education you will have a better chance.
    3. Get certification for your State. You will need transcripts of your degree program and all your paperwork to submit to the State teaching council who will assess this, give you your GPA and then tell you what Praxis exams you will need to do to secure your certification. This varies from State to State and you will have to go through this all over again if you move States.

    Now that all sounds pretty easy. Speaking from this end it is not easy. The northern states are tied up in unions - the southern states don't have them. There are demands for teachers but not the resources to bring them in from abroad unless using a teaching program like VIF or Teach America. They have agreements with The State Department. I have heard of a few teachers that are being recruited in Miami, Florida, New York in general and a few mid west states like Colorado but most I know have come with hubands or have married Americans etc. It is VERY difficult to do it on your own.
    VIF is a good way of getting an idea whether you will like teaching in the States. Check out www.vifprogram.com first - then if it floats your boat, you can look to see if you can make if more permanent. This is frowned upon but happens.

    All the best with it!
  • peaches123 avatar
    Offline
    4
    Posted by: peaches123 11/05/2007 at 10:12
    Reply
    Joined on 07/12/2006
    Posts 3
    You could apply to the group that has schools in Chicago, Boston, Washington Houston and Charlotte. They are all British based with the National Curriculum and they will sponsor the visa if your are successful. They advertise a lot and be aware that they get mixed reviews. Still, a good way to see the states!
  • emma_1706 avatar
    Offline
    5
    Posted by: emma_1706 11/05/2007 at 18:24
    Reply
    Joined on 22/04/2004
    Posts 64
    i was looking at that route too - actually had an application form for one of those schools that i filled in - but before i sent it off i heard bad stuff about them from somewhere on this forum...
    if you are interested though they said they usually advertise around october in the TES
  • Leaudevie avatar
    Offline
    6
    Posted by: Leaudevie 12/05/2007 at 08:19
    Reply
    Joined on 12/05/2007
    Posts 8
    Unfortunately many of the negative things about that group of schools is true. I am leaving one of them because of very unprofessional behavior by senior management. Also becoming deskilled as we will not teach IB in the near future. Unpleasant atmosphere and divisions between primary and secondary due to powerplays between staff. Bad aministration and overall not been a positive experience. Many problems with contracts and should have noticed low morale and very few staff stay longer than 2 years.
  • sheligriff avatar
    Offline
    7
    Posted by: sheligriff 12/05/2009 at 21:32
    Reply
    Joined on 02/12/2008
    Posts 1

    hey emma - was just wondering what schools you are talking about, what the name them is etc so i can go about looking em up? or how would i look them up.. I am interested in going teaching in the states too

     thanks shel

  • emma_1706 avatar
    Offline
    8
    Posted by: emma_1706 27/05/2009 at 21:34
    Reply
    Joined on 22/04/2004
    Posts 64

    ha ha - I actually now work for that organisation! I got a teaching job at one of their schools and started there in August. I love it. No regrets in coming out here.

     

    Search for british schools in America. There are 5 schools in this organisation.

     

    Good luck, and take everything you read with a pinch of salt, I did and now I'm happily teaching in the states!
  • Rainbow72 avatar
    Offline
    9
    Posted by: Rainbow72 06/06/2009 at 15:45
    Reply
    Joined on 31/01/2005
    Posts 731

     Emma, do you mind me asking which of the BSA you work at?
  • quidditch avatar
    Offline
    10
    Posted by: quidditch 08/06/2009 at 00:51
    Reply
    Joined on 15/01/2002
    Posts 215

     

    im thinking of applying for BSA in Aug 2010, i cant seem to get past the application process...dunno what im doing wrong!
Back to top

Sign up – it’s free!

  • Don’t miss out on the latest jobs
  • Connect and share with friends
  • Download thousands of resources
  • Chat in the forums