How to become a teacher in the US

[nickjohn 1]

Hi! I'm a licensed teacher in the Philippines, and came in the US with K1 visa. How can I possibly obtain a teaching certification? I've visited the Michigan Department of Education website and I couldn't see any info about foreign transcripts. Do I need to have my transcript evaluated? After that what's next? I need enlightenment.

[TBoneTX 45,568]

Thread is moved from Off Topic to Finding Work in America.

[millefleur 5,047]

Good question. I'm a USC who's thinking about becoming a teacher and it's equally confusing for me, I honestly can't wrap my head around all the various certifications and tests needed. I think it's probably a good idea to get your degree evaluated anyway, just in case you need it for anything else in the future.

It definitely depends on what state you reside in. I hope another VJer with more experience in this field will post and enlighten us.

Edited October 13, 2016 by millefleur

[fromphwithlove 3]

Hi! I'm a licensed teacher in the Philippines, and came in the US with K1 visa. How can I possibly obtain a teaching certification? I've visited the Michigan Department of Education website and I couldn't see any info about foreign transcripts. Do I need to have my transcript evaluated? After that what's next? I need enlightenment.

I reside in AK but this is how it's done as far as certification is concerned. I sent an email to the board of education of AK to get this info.

First order of business is getting a Social Security card. Once you have that you can apply for certification.

The main parts you need to worry about are the application (should be online), the foreign evaluation (2. which takes place of the university transcripts and institutional recommendation, and the Praxis I Basic Competency Exam in reading, writing, and math (3.).

1. https://education.alaska.gov/teacherCertification/forms/initial.pdf
2. https://education.alaska.gov/teacherCertification/forms/Foreign_Evaluation_Info.pdf
3. https://education.alaska.gov/teacherCertification/praxis.html

There are some other requirements listed on pages 7 and 8 of the application - you will be applying for the two-year option.

[nickjohn 1]

Good question. I'm a USC who's thinking about becoming a teacher and it's equally confusing for me, I honestly can't wrap my head around all the various certifications and tests needed. I think it's probably a good idea to get your degree evaluated anyway, just in case you need it for anything else in the future.

It definitely depends on what state you reside in. I hope another VJer with more experience in this field will post and enlighten us.

You are right! Every state has its own requirements and tests. I'm enlightened a bit since I emailed the Michigan Department of Education and called too! So the first thing for me is really contact the institution here in the states and ask the questions. Before I did that, I checked their website though but I couldn't find what I'm exactly looking for, so the best way I think is to email or call without hesitations.

[nickjohn 1]

I reside in AK but this is how it's done as far as certification is concerned. I sent an email to the board of education of AK to get this info.

First order of business is getting a Social Security card. Once you have that you can apply for certification.

The main parts you need to worry about are the application (should be online), the foreign evaluation (2. which takes place of the university transcripts and institutional recommendation, and the Praxis I Basic Competency Exam in reading, writing, and math (3.).

• https://education.alaska.gov/teacherCertification/forms/initial.pdf

• https://education.alaska.gov/teacherCertification/forms/Foreign_Evaluation_Info.pdf

• https://education.alaska.gov/teacherCertification/praxis.html

There are some other requirements listed on pages 7 and 8 of the application - you will be applying for the two-year option.

I emailed the Michigan Deptartment of Education yesterday and fortunately I got a response:

You will have to apply and be evaluated to find out if you qualify for a Michigan teaching certificate. To apply for a Michigan teaching certificate, you will be using the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS). The web address is www.michigan.gov/moecs. Once you are on the MOECS homepage, I recommend you read the document "MOECS Access Instructions for Educator Candidates" under the heading "Educator Applicants" in the middle of the page.

Once you have applied, you will be told how to pay the $210.00 evaluation fee. You will also be told the documents you need to mail in to be evaluated. As an applicant from another country, one of the documents you will have to provide is an original course by course evaluation report from a recognized evaluation service. The course by course evaluation report converts your course work and degrees into U.S. standards so that this office can evaluate you for a Michigan teaching certificate. The recognized evaluation services are listed below.

World Education Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 5087

Bowling Green Station

New York, NY 10274-5087

Telephone: (212) 966-6311

Chicago Telephone: (312) 222-0882

Fax: (212) 739-6120

E-mail: info@wes.org

Website: http://www.wes.org

http://www.wes.org/application

International Education Research Foundation, Inc.

P.O. Box 3665

Culver City, CA 90231-3665

Telephone: (310) 258-9451

Fax: (310) 342-7086

Website: http://www.ierf.org

Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.

P.O. Box 514070

Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470

Telephone: (414) 289-3400

Fax: (414) 289-3411

E-mail: eval@ece.org

Website: http://www.ece.org

Once your credentials have been evaluated by this office and it has been determined you meet requirements for a Michigan teaching certificate, you will be emailed an evaluation report that will tell you the tests you need to pass from the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification to be issued your certificate.

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So one state differs from the other in terms of testing and certification. I'm surprised that Michigan doesn't do Praxis. I appreciate your response! It's very helpful! Thanks!

[fromphwithlove 3]

I emailed the Michigan Deptartment of Education yesterday and fortunately I got a response:

You will have to apply and be evaluated to find out if you qualify for a Michigan teaching certificate. To apply for a Michigan teaching certificate, you will be using the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS). The web address is www.michigan.gov/moecs. Once you are on the MOECS homepage, I recommend you read the document "MOECS Access Instructions for Educator Candidates" under the heading "Educator Applicants" in the middle of the page.

Once you have applied, you will be told how to pay the $210.00 evaluation fee. You will also be told the documents you need to mail in to be evaluated. As an applicant from another country, one of the documents you will have to provide is an original course by course evaluation report from a recognized evaluation service. The course by course evaluation report converts your course work and degrees into U.S. standards so that this office can evaluate you for a Michigan teaching certificate. The recognized evaluation services are listed below.

World Education Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 5087

Bowling Green Station

New York, NY 10274-5087

Telephone: (212) 966-6311

Chicago Telephone: (312) 222-0882

Fax: (212) 739-6120

E-mail: info@wes.org

Website: http://www.wes.org

http://www.wes.org/application

International Education Research Foundation, Inc.

P.O. Box 3665

Culver City, CA 90231-3665

Telephone: (310) 258-9451

Fax: (310) 342-7086

Website: http://www.ierf.org

Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.

P.O. Box 514070

Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470

Telephone: (414) 289-3400

Fax: (414) 289-3411

E-mail: eval@ece.org

Website: http://www.ece.org

Once your credentials have been evaluated by this office and it has been determined you meet requirements for a Michigan teaching certificate, you will be emailed an evaluation report that will tell you the tests you need to pass from the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification to be issued your certificate.

----------

So one state differs from the other in terms of testing and certification. I'm surprised that Michigan doesn't do Praxis. I appreciate your response! It's very helpful! Thanks!

Wow. No Praxis there. Anyways, I used the World Education Services for the evaluation of my transcript.