Canadian Elementary Teacher wants to work in California

[j3cko 0]

Hi,

I've been looking everywhere for any information regarding this but unfortunately there isn't much in my case. I am an elementary teacher in Ontario but my partner lives in San Francisco, CA who is also a Canadian on a work visa. He does not have a green card yet but is still trying to apply.

Does anyone know what I can do? Is it even possible for an elementary school teacher to get a job in California? I keep reading that there are too many unemployed American teachers and the last thing they will do is sponsor or give a work visa for a Canadian teacher who does not have any teachables. I should add that I am qualified primary/junior so I don't have anything that's "specialized."

I just don't want to move to America and not work while my partner is working. Of course I'd love it if he would move back but that might not happen for a couple more years. I love teaching and I am on a board in Toronto but as a supply teacher. I would love to be able to work in California but have absolutely no idea how to go about applying and if I would even be given a work visa.

Has anyone gone through this before or have any insight? Thanks so much in advance.

[ricnally 258]

Not much hope of a work visa for you, I'm afraid, for the reasons you're already aware of--lots of US teachers looking for jobs, and you're not a specialist. However, I don't know your entire situation/skill set, so there just may be a work visa for you, if you look hard enough.(I thought there was no hope for me, but I managed to get a foreign media visa for the US). Also, you mention "moving to America" (and not working) which is not something you can do either. You can visit for up to 6 months, but then you'd have to leave and stay out of the country for a period of time before returning to the US again. Basically, you need to spend more time outside the US than you do inside, so you don't appear to be living there, and whether or not you're allowed to return would be at the discretion of the immigration officer at the border, and you may be turned back if they feel you've been overstaying your welcome.

[Boiler 45,493]

Are you qualified to teach in CA?