Through the Teach USA program, competent foreign nationals can work as full-time teachers for up to three years at K–12 certified public and private schools in the United States. Teachers may be qualified for a 12- to 24-month program extension following this time.
The chances are increased by the need for qualified teachers in certain courses and regions. In order to teach in the United States, non-citizens of the country must have the appropriate visa. Foreign-educated instructors must make sure their credentials fit American requirements in order to be employed as educators in the United States.
Why You Should Consider Teaching In The U.S.
Teaching in the United States is an appealing option for foreign-educated instructors since it provides a fulfilling career with lots of room for advancement and a need for qualified teachers in important subjects.
In this article, we will provide an outline of the procedures, licenses, fees, and immigration needs for moving your teaching profession to the United States.
Teacher Certification Requirements In The U.S.
Foreign-educated instructors must make sure their credentials fit American requirements in order to be employed as educators in the United States. This includes:
Certificate(s) Evaluation: Confirming with associations such as the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE) or the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) that your overseas degree is equal to a bachelor’s or master’s degree earned in the United States.
Teacher Preparation Program: Completing a teacher preparation program that has been approved by the state; this program may need to include supervised teaching hours and a certain set of curriculum. States frequently have a minimum amount of credit hours that must be completed in both education theory and the specific subject that the teacher plans to teach.
Teacher Certification Exams: Pass state-specific tests and fulfill further requirements for certification, like the Praxis Subject Tests. Teachers who pass exams submit an application for certification to the state education department together with the necessary paperwork and a processing fee.
VISA Requirements
Foreign-trained teachers must obtain a U.S. visa prior to beginning the teaching certification procedure. The kind of visa needed may change depending on the individual and employment offers. Typical visa categories consist of:
J-1 Visa for Exchange Visitors: Frequently employed for teaching positions and other cultural exchange initiatives.
H-1B Visa for Specialty Occupations: Ideal for educators with specific knowledge or special abilities.
N. Visa for Canadian and Mexican Nationals: This visa permits teachers from Canada and Mexico to work in the United States under NAFTA.
Certification Procedures
Credential Evaluation: Organizations that evaluate foreign degrees for U.S. equivalency include the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE) and the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), both of which produce thorough reports.
State-Approved Teacher Preparation Program: It might be necessary to enroll in a state-based program in your area, which might include education classes and student teaching hours.
Certification Exams: Teachers typically need to pass multiple exams, including:
Basic Skills Test – which evaluates the teacher’s foundational knowledge in math, writing, and reading.
Content Area Tests – deals particularly with the subject that an educator wants to instruct.
Pedagogy Tests: These assess the ability of a teacher to instruct. While California mandates the CSET and CBEST tests, states like New York employ the NYSTCE series. The websites of each state’s Department of Education provide access to the requisite test battery for that particular state.
Application and Fees: Teachers who pass exams submit an application for certification to the state education department together with the necessary paperwork and a processing fee.
Furthermore, states may provide avenues for teachers whose credentials or preparation fall short of those needed to achieve state requirements:
Supplementary Education: To fill in subject knowledge gaps or pedagogical training gaps, more courses can be required.
Provisional or Temporary Licenses: These enable educators to start working as they finish the required coursework. They are normally good for one to three years and are frequently provided in states where there is a teacher shortage.
Emergency Certification: In order to alleviate the current teacher crisis, some states grant emergency certifications, which let teachers begin teaching while they pursue full accreditation.
Private Schools: There is more flexibility in career options because these organizations can hire teachers even if they do not hold a state certification.
Average Teacher Salaries & Benefits In The U.S.
In the United States, the average teacher makes $43,474 a year, or $20.90 an hour. The starting salary for entry-level occupations is $31,202 annually, while the average salary for experienced workers is $74,505.
D.C. has the highest starting wage of $51,359, while Montana has the lowest starting salary of $30,036. The average teacher income in New York is the highest at $79,637, while the lowest is $42,668 in South Dakota.
Private vs. Public School Teacher Salaries
Public schools: Base pay for a secondary school teacher on average is $53,520. $52,620 is the base pay for a primary school teacher on average.
Private Schools: Base pay for a secondary school teacher is $44,720 on average. Base pay for a primary school teacher is $36,260 on average.