Need Work in the US for a former teacher from Philippines

[MCGCB 3]

Hi guys! Im posting this for my Mom. She is 46yo and she used to be a public teacher in our country. She is really good at being a teacher. She was awarded for being an outstanding teacher 2 years ago in the Philippines. But she is now in Daly City, California and she is looking for a teaching job. If you know somewhere she can apply it will be highly appreciated. Thanks!

[canadian_wife 1,827]

First thing she'll need to do is become certified in California, has she looked into that?

What subject did she teach in PI?

good luck

[aaron2020 11,651]

School teachers in California must have a teaching certificate.

There is no shortage of teachers in CA, but there is a shortage of education jobs.

Consider the cost and time to get the teaching certificate and the prospect of finding a job.

[Lynkali 163]

Private schools (there are many, but they are small so you'll have to look around a lot) do not ALWAYS require a teaching credential, if she holds a Bachelor's Degree or higher from an accredited university, although even in private schools they often "prefer" to see a licensed California teaching credential.

Otherwise if you're looking for public school teaching, a California teaching credential is absolutely mandatory. Getting one involves about a year of study/coursework plus passing several competency tests and doing a "student teaching" semester (i.e. unpaid internship). It's not an easy thing, and not for the faint of heart.

There are ways to be hired for emergency positions without a credential, but you must immediately get into a teaching credential program and both work and attend classes at the same time while earning your credential, so it's not an easy thing (nor are those positions meant for anything but emergencies).

Many private and public universities/colleges offer teacher education programs, so do some research and figure out the total costs involved -- it's not cheap.

Perhaps in the meantime she might be interested in substituting -- that does not require a teaching credential, and if there's enough demand, it can be a good income-maker as a very part-time, unreliable job. To substitute, call the district office of the local schools and find out how to apply.

[jtc358 1]

move to Hawaii we are short on teachers

[Darnell 8,479]

How did your Mom make it to Daly City,

and on which visa did she enter the USA?

[MCGCB 3]

First thing she'll need to do is become certified in California, has she looked into that?

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What subject did she teach in PI?

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good luck

She used to teach grade school back here. Thanks for the advise!

School teachers in California must have a teaching certificate.

There is no shortage of teachers in CA, but there is a shortage of education jobs.

Consider the cost and time to get the teaching certificate and the prospect of finding a job.

Ok. What education jobs is short in California? Thanks!

[MCGCB 3]

Private schools (there are many, but they are small so you'll have to look around a lot) do not ALWAYS require a teaching credential, if she holds a Bachelor's Degree or higher from an accredited university, although even in private schools they often "prefer" to see a licensed California teaching credential.

Â

Otherwise if you're looking for public school teaching, a California teaching credential is absolutely mandatory. Â Getting one involves about a year of study/coursework plus passing several competency tests and doing a "student teaching" semester (i.e. unpaid internship). Â It's not an easy thing, and not for the faint of heart.

Â

There are ways to be hired for emergency positions without a credential, but you must immediately get into a teaching credential program and both work and attend classes at the same time while earning your credential, so it's not an easy thing (nor are those positions meant for anything but emergencies).

Â

Many private and public universities/colleges offer teacher education programs, so do some research and figure out the total costs involved -- it's not cheap.

Â

Perhaps in the meantime she might be interested in substituting -- that does not require a teaching credential, and if there's enough demand, it can be a good income-maker as a very part-time, unreliable job. Â To substitute, call the district office of the local schools and find out how to apply.

Thank you! I told her about this. She is very excited. She doesn't mind doing a part time teaching job. She currently works in gate gourmet as food assembler, but she misses teaching that's why she is really looking for a teaching job.

[MCGCB 3]

How did your Mom make it to Daly City,

and on which visa did she enter the USA?

My parents are immigrants in the US. They were petitioned by my dad's USC brother. I do not know the specific type of VISA she has.

[Blue Bianchi 77]

- She'll need to get a license.

- She may want to work as a tutor in the meantime.

- When she gets her license, she'll might want to look in to substitute teacher opportunities. She will need US references on her resume.

- She should attend workshops on resume revision and cover letter writing. Resume and cover letter writing here is distinctly different from the way things are done in Manila.

- Best to look up resources on job interviews too.

- Best if she chats with a teacher who has a job she wants and ask her what she might need to do to get a teaching job like hers.

Goodluck to your mom!

Hi guys! Im posting this for my Mom. She is 46yo and she used to be a public teacher in our country. She is really good at being a teacher. She was awarded for being an outstanding teacher 2 years ago in the Philippines. But she is now in Daly City, California and she is looking for a teaching job. If you know somewhere she can apply it will be highly appreciated. Thanks!

[Messybrownhair 251]

I work for a school district in PA. Some things I had to do was take the required Praxis test, have my transcripts validated and apply for state licensure. You will have to check how your state does it, and what extra requirements they have for foreign degrees

[philly2015 2]

Very interested in hearing about your journey to become qualified in PA Messybrownhair. I am an elementary school teacher, 4 year university trained in Australia. Moving to PA hopefully at end of year. How long did it take to get your approval to teach and is that praxis exam as hard as I've heard?!

[Messybrownhair 251]

Very interested in hearing about your journey to become qualified in PA Messybrownhair. I am an elementary school teacher, 4 year university trained in Australia. Moving to PA hopefully at end of year. How long did it take to get your approval to teach and is that praxis exam as hard as I've heard?!

You should have an easier time than I did, Im sure your education degree will have more credit than mine. The PRAXIS test was super easy.... I am not even kidding! It is nothing to worry about.

The requirements for foreign degree holders are here. Completing this should give you your Level 1 Teaching Certificate, then you move up to level 2 after you get tenure. Goodluck!

http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/out-of-state_prepared/8821/foreign_educated_teacher_certification_applicants/506754

PS. I did not actually have to go through this, because I did go back to school and obtain my master's degree here, so I was no longer considered a "foreign" applicant when I applied, even though I had a foreign undergrad, they just focused on my local graduate degree.

You should have an easier time than I did, Im sure your education degree will have more credit than mine. The PRAXIS test was super easy.... I am not even kidding! It is nothing to worry about.

The requirements for foreign degree holders are here. Completing this should give you your Level 1 Teaching Certificate, then you move up to level 2 after you get tenure. Goodluck!

http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/out-of-state_prepared/8821/foreign_educated_teacher_certification_applicants/506754

PS. I did not actually have to go through this, because I did go back to school and obtain my master's degree here, so I was no longer considered a "foreign" applicant when I applied, even though I had a foreign undergrad, they just focused on my local graduate degree.

Oh and it took about 2-3 months to get my teaching certificate.

[philly2015 2]

Thanks so much for that info!!! All that certification looks very time consuming... getting an independent agency to evaluate my degree etc etc...Thinking maybe I should just get my postgrad masters instead!!!! Thanks for your help!

[Messybrownhair 251]

Thanks so much for that info!!! All that certification looks very time consuming... getting an independent agency to evaluate my degree etc etc...Thinking maybe I should just get my postgrad masters instead!!!! Thanks for your help!

That's what I did, makes things easier for sure