How to Become a Teacher in USA - Step by Step Guide?

Step by step guide on how to become a teacher in USA

The United States of America hires international teachers like Filipino, African, Indian and many more nationalities to teach their students from kindergarten to Grade 12.  To become a teacher in the USA,  you need to meet several qualification standards, certifications and comply some important documents and basic requirements that is needed in your application, including obtaining the correct visa, having your foreign credentials evaluated, and securing a teaching position in any states in the US. A step by step guide on how to become a teacher in USA is listed below for your guidance.

Step 1: You need to meet the Qualifications and Basic Requirements

What are the qualifications and basic requirements to become a teacher in USA? If you want to become a teacher in USA, you need to meet the qualifications and basic requirements that are needed also in processing the Visa. Most of the States in the Unites States of America require the following:

1. A bachelor’s degree in education (or related field). Mostly, they need more teachers with major in Mathematics, Science, English and Special Education in both Elementary, Middle School and High school. This can be prove using the foreign credential evaluation of FCE.

2. Teaching experience (typically 2 years or more). Teachers with more experience will have a higher salary but they only need at least 2 years of teaching experience regardless of public or private. This can be prove using verification of experience or certificate of employment.

3. .Teaching license in the home country is also needed. English proficiency like TOEFL or IELTS may be required for some states but some states also accept the EF SET. The free English proficiency test. The PRC license in the Philippines can be used in applying reciprocity of license in the USA in some states. Their are also states that require licensure exams like Praxis or equivalent.

Step 2: Have your Transcript of Records / Credentials be evaluated.

To become a teacher in USA, you need your Transcript of Records or education credentials from Philippine (if your are from Philippines) accredited schools must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency in some Credential Evaluation Agencies like as follows:

WES (World Education Services)

ECE(Educational Credential Evaluators)

Josef Silny & Associates

SpanTran

There are other options online but listed above is the most common that is used by some Filipino teachers who would like to become a teacher in USA. The agencies listed above provide a course-by-course evaluation to verify your degree here in the Philippines. 

 

Step 3. Prepare Other Documents Needed to Apply

Prepare other important documents needed to apply (have a PDF copy in all documents). Some are as follows: 

1. You must have and outstanding resume maximum of 2 pages. Do not include irrelevant details to the position you applied. 

2. You must craft the best cover letter that describe yourself by highlighting your accomplishments that boost your applications.

3. Gather all evidences of employment or experience including certificates and other important documents. Make sure to have a copy of your PRC license. 

Step 4: Apply for Job Vacancies Online

The 4th step to become a teacher in USA is to apply for job vacancies. Once you meet the qualifications and requirements in step 1, step 2 and step 3, you can apply now for jobs. Each teacher applicant has different ways of  applying the job. Always remember that for every vacant position, there are hundreds or thousands of applicants. US citizen teachers applicant will be prioritized in hiring. In the absence of US citizen teacher applicants, then that is the time where they will get applicants from international teacher.

Here are some ways on how to apply.  You can apply using visa sponsor agencies for J1 teachers and you can apply also directly to schools or school district for J1 teaches and H-1B for some schools or district that offers H-1B visa. Some teachers also apply for some Filipino agencies that offers placement for a certain amount. 

To become a teacher in the USA, you can apply in any ways mentioned. You can search the school website or district website where you want to apply. Look for their career page and see the vacancies that fits to your qualification. You can check also some Charter or private schools or even recruitment agencies or visa sponsors that help place international teachers. You may visit also online platform or job boards like indeed, edjoin.org or SchoolSpring. Once you are chosen as a good fit applicant, you will be notified by the hiring team for an interview. Be prepared for the interview. After the interview you will be notified if you are accepted to continue the process or not. If you are chosen, you will receive a Job offer.

 

Step 5: Apply for State Certification or Licensure

Each state in the US has its own licensing board. As an applicant, it is advantage to apply state certification in the state you want to teach. You need to visit the Department of Education (DOE) website for that state and complete the application for teacher certification. You need to pass the requirements or exams. Most of the states honor out of state reciprocity like (PRC certification). Submit credential evaluation results. In some cases, getting a state certification will be done after you receive a job offer from the school or school district where you apply but getting one in advance is an advantage. Note: Every state has a different policy in the teacher certification process.

Step 6: Process your Visa

Once you have a Job Offer, you will start the process of applying VISA.  J-1 Visa (Exchange Visitor Program) or H1B Visa (A temporary Work Visa). The employer will now inform you on what Visa will offer. If you apply through J1 visa sponsorship, then the Visa they will provide is J1. Most of the schools or school districts will sponsor H1B visa if you apply directly. The school or school district will petition teachers for H1B visa. 

Prepare the necessary documents for  a VISA interview. Once complete, schedule the interview at the US embassy. Be prepared on the scheduled date of interview. Bring all necessary documents and arrive earlier than your scheduled time. Answer the questions of the consulate officer honestly. Once you approved, you will received  your visa in one or two weeks. 

Step 7: Prepare for Relocation

Once you’ve done with the visa process and done with the embassy interview, then you need to prepare yourself for relocation. If your visa is J1, the visa sponsor agency will guide you in relocation. If you apply directly and your visa is H1B, the school or school district who sponsor your visa will guide you on how you are going to relocate.  

7 Simple Techniques to Keep Your Kids Away From Online Game Addiction

Television movies, mobile games, social media, and video games have taken the place of playing outside and in groups for many kids nowadays as most of us experienced before. As a parent, what will you do? Should you intervene? The answer is yes! While the programs on television, online games, social media, fake news, etc., are all packed with action and have inviting challenges, it is highly addictive and might leave an unfavorable impact on the child’s development.

Getting them off to this addiction is tough and challenging as most kids do not realize how fun it is to go outside, explore, and play. This not just deprives them of physical activity, but also drains them out of their creative ability and the ability to share and play in groups.  Maybe some of you wondering how to get them to leave aside that mobile games addiction and explore the wonders of nature. Maybe some of you are asking what to do or maybe you want to know where you commit a mistake.

 If that is so, do not worry, you’re not alone. Children, just like the rest of us, are enamored with our electronic gadgets and tend to live a digital life, as opposed to enjoying the real one. Here are a few easy techniques to keep your kids away from gadgets.

 

7 Simple Techniques to Keep Your Kids Away From Online Game Addiction

1. Set yourself as an example

Try to leave your mobile phones, tablets, and laptops aside for a few hours every day. Don't let them see that you are using your phone while doing your household activities. Engage your kids in alternative forms of entertainment or hobby classes. Use this time to spend time with your family and kids. Do not spend your time playing mobile games with them. Always focus on your goal that you want your kids must be away from online game addiction.

2. Change the daily routine activity

Involve your kids in activities that require them to leave their mobile phones and other gadgets aside. Change her routine and make sure her free time isn’t synonymous with screen time. Make some alternative activities interesting. Always keep in mind that you want your kids away from online game addiction.

 

3. Make sure your gadgets are not accessible to your kids 

Keep mobiles and other gadgets in a way that they cannot access easily, and you know when they are using those gadgets. If in case they need the gadgets for their studies make sure to be with them throughout the duration. 

4. Don’t make learning from activities with gadgets a habit.

It is obviously easy to let your kids learn by watching videos on YouTube and other platforms on your tab or mobile phone. However, do you realize that you are slowly contributing to her gadget addiction? Most kids tend to find reading and writing difficult as they are exposed to learning through videos at an early age.

 

5. Encourage outdoor activities

Playing outdoors will help her learn to play with other kids. At the same time, it also helps her build her gross motor skills when she runs around the ground and indulges in some outdoor play.

6. Engage in pretend play

Kids tend to enjoy pretend play, and that is the best way to engage kids in fun learning. So, why not go on and start a fun game of your own with your little one? She’s going to learn something, be away from gadgets, and spend time with you. So, what more could you ever ask for?

 

7. Indulge in activity-based learning

Kids tend to switch to gadgets as a resort for fun and entertainment. The toys you get her to lose their charm in a few days, unlike the mobile game, which has something challenging at every new level. So, why not get her something to play with that is challenging every time she engages in it? No, I’m not speaking of getting her a lot of new toys. Instead, what you could do is subscribe to activity boxes that will be delivered to her every month. She can then engage for hours in activity-based learning.

Did these tips help? Share your views in the comments below.

Third Quarter Mathematics Learning Competencies Audit

Third Quarter Mathematics Learning Competencies Audit

DepEd Memo 037, s.2020

The Department of Education, through the Bureau of Curriculum Development-Curriculum Standards Development (BCD_CSDD), will conduct a review on the K to 12 Basic Education Mathematics Curriculum.

The activity aims to evaluate the budget of work stated in the curriculum guides and identify mastered competencies every quarter.

All Mathematics teachers from Grade 1 to 11 are enjoined to answer the online survey. Each teacher shall click their region below.

           Cordillera Autonomous Region

      National Capital Region
      Region I
      Region II
      Region III
      CALABARZON
      MIMAROPA
      Region V
      Region VI
      Region VII
      Region VIII
      Region IX
      Region X
      Region XI
      Region XII
      CARAGA
      BARMM

BCD-CSDD assures that all gathered data shall be kept confidential and shall be used solely for the purpose of reviewing and evaluating Mathematics Grades 1 to 11 curriculum guides.

The online survey for 3rd quarter mathematics learning competencies shall be available until March 29, 2020.

Source: DepEd Official Issuance

Guidelines for the Remainder of School Year 2019-2020 in Light of COVID-19 Measures

Guidelines for the Remainder of School Year 2019-2020 in Light of COVID-19 Measures

DepEd Memorandum 42, s.2020

The Department of Education (DepEd) adopted Social Distancing Measures for the Remainder of the School Year (Enclosure 1) in light of the latest developments and information on COVID-19, as well as its assessment of the remaining school requirements for School Year 2019-2020.

School Year (SY) 2019-2020 is already about to end. DepEd Order No. 7, s. 2019 titled School Calendar for School Year 2019-2020 prescribed the 4th Quarter Examinations for the graduating levels of Grades 6 and 12 on March 12-13, 2020. On the other hand, the 4th Quarter Examinations for all other grade levels are scheduled on March 19-20, 2020. Thus, the essential competencies specified in the curriculum are expected to have already been covered.

On the public health side, new confirmations indicate local transmission and possible community transmission of COVID-19. The government, through the Inter Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (LATF) and the Office of the President (OP), has imposed stringent social distancing measure and other guidelines for the management of the COVID-19 situation.

Given the above considerations, DepEd adopts the following guidelines for the completion of the remainder of SY 2019-2020, confirming and giving further details to earlier directives indicated in Enclosure 1:

     a. The week of March 16 to 20 is designated as the examination week in all DepEd schools for any remaining 4th Quarter Examinations. Schools should schedule these on staggered basis during the said week, in order to maximize and abide by social distancing protocols of the Department of Health (DOH). Students shall only come to school scheduled on stagger on the day of their respective examination schedules.

     

     b. In areas where classes have been suspended by the relevant national or local authorities for the week of March 16 to 20 and thus preventing the holding of the scheduled 4th Quarter Examination, such as in NCR and in areas where local government units have suspended classes, the 4th Quarter Examination will no longer be administered. The affected schools shall apply the grading formula in paragraph 5 hereof, for the computation of the final grades for the 4th quarter.

     c. Further academic requirements, if any, shall be done as home-based assignments.

     d. During the period of class suspension in NCR and other areas, teachers are not required to report to school, unless called to report by the Schools Division Superintendent on learner-related matters, if the same cannot be done at home or online. The teachers, however, are expected to finish the tasks required of them.

2020 DEPED TRANSMUTATION FORMULA FOR 

COVID-19 AFFECTED LEARNERS

For the schools, or classes within schools, prevented from administering the 4th Quarter Examination, as described in paragraph 4 (b) above, the following grading and transmutation formula shall be adopted for the evaluation of the final grades of the affected learners:

    a. DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2015 titled Policy Guidelines on Classroom Assessment for the K to 12 Basic Education Program shall still be the basis in computing the Fourth Quarter grade of the learners, except that it will be based on class standing (CS) composed of written works and performance tasks.

     b. For all learning areas from Grades 1 to 10 and non-core subjects in the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood/Sports/Arts and Design track in the Senior High School (SHS), CS totals 80% in original formula. Upon computing the weighted score in each component, the CS grade will be transmuted using Table 1 in Enclosure No. 2 to get the Fourth Quarter Grade.

   c. For all core subjects in the SHS as well as Work Immersion/Research/ Business Enterprise/Simulation/Exhibit/Performance in the Academic Track, CS totals 75% in original formula. Upon computing the weighted score in each component, the CS grade will be transmuted using Table 2 in Enclosure No. 2 to get the Fourth Quarter Grade.

   

      d. For all other subjects in the Academic Track of SHS, CS totals 70% in original formula. Upon computing the weighted score in each component, the CS grade will be transmuted using Table 3 in Enclosure No. 2 to get the Fourth Quarter Grade.

         e. A sample computation of Fourth Quarter Grade is provided in Enclosure No. 3.

Consistent with paragraph 2 of DepEd Order No. 2, s. 2020 titled Multi-Year Implementing Guidelines on the Conduct of the K to 12 Basic Education Program End-Of-School-Year Rites, the week of April 13 to 17, 2020 shall be the period when schools may hold their moving up/graduation/recognition rites, subject to the following guidelines:

      a. The rites shall be conducted pursuant to applicable social distancing measures in the locality directed by DepEd, OP, 1ATF, DOH and other relevant national and local authorities.

    b. The schools, in consultation with the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) leadership, may choose to reschedule or forego the holding of the rites, should the public health situation prevent the holding of the rites within the said period.

Teachers with available resources and access to the internet are highly encouraged to explore the Online Alternative Learning Delivery Platforms identified by the DepEd Information and Communications Technology Service (ICTS) that may be used for delivering distance learning during periods of class suspensions and similar circumstances. The guides for the use of these platforms are provided by the Office of the Undersecretary for Administration and ICTS.

Private schools in the basic education level are highly encouraged to adopt the above guidelines for the remaining period of the school year.

For more information on the grading and transmutation formula, please contact the Bureau of Curriculum Development-Curriculum Standards Development Division (BCD-CSDD). 3rd Floor Bonifacio Building, Department of Education Central Office, DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City at telephone numbers (02) 8632-7746 and (02) 8635-9822 or email address bed.csdd@deped.gov.ph.

For more information on the Online Alternative Learning Delivery Platforms, please contact the Information and Communications Technology Service-Education Technology Unit (ICTS-ETU). 5th Floor Bonifacio Building, Department of Education Central Office, DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City at email address edtech@deped. gov. ph.

Immediate dissemination of this Memorandum is desired.

Download and Read Complete Deped Memo 042, s.2020 (Click HERE to Download)

Source: DepEd Official Issuance

8 Simple Ways to Make Money While At Home

8 Simple Ways to Earn Money While at Home

Most teachers nowadays, has insufficient income. Especially teachers in the Philippines with approximately gross earnings of $440 or Php 22,316.00. This gross income will be less by the mandatory deduction of Tax, GSIS, Philhealth, and Pag-ibig. A teacher may take home a net of $360.00 or Php18,000.00 which is enough for a single person. How about if you are a breadwinner of a family with 4 to 6 members? You need to pay tuition for your kids, water bills, electricity, groceries and also rentals of your apartment. In this case, you need to look for additional income in order for you to survive.

Creating extra money could not be easy for everyone base on my experience. I became a part-time teacher at a University and do some online selling after my class. It is very tiring to do such things. That is why I looked into online opportunities. I did research on what are the best things to do. I enrolled in free online education and learned a lot of things that I could share with you.  I can tell you that it takes some work and time in the beginning but in the end, it is fulfilling not only your feelings but also your empty wallet. However, you need to follow some paths ahead but in the end, it is your decision on what goals are you going to follow and most especially your dedication towards the path that you choose.

Can you make an additional income of $250 a month? Or can you double your salary? Or can you get the extra income which is a higher amount in your salary? How your life will be changed if you have extra income? It really makes a difference in your life and your family. Clearly, you can make money online, just like what I did. You just have to decide how much of your time you can commit.

Each one of us has extra time, we need to use our extra time to earn extra money. All you have to do is to decide the best way to earn money and to use your extra time wisely.

I will let you know the 8 Simple ways to earned money while at home which I experienced using my extra time. I will try to give a brief description in a way that you can understand easily. It is arranged in no particular order.

1. Be a Virtual Assistant 

To be a Virtual Assistant is one simple way to earn money while at home. This job is to help individuals like businessmen, teachers and other professionals to complete tasks while you are in the comfort of your home. You need to be highly organized and can properly manage your time. You need also to have skills like data encoder, writer, video editing, transcription, email marketing, social media marketing and many more.  You can easily perform these functions as a remote worker no matter where you live. All you need is a laptop and an internet connection.

But how are you going to find clients who need your help? For me, you can find them in Upwork.com, Indeed.com, Freelancer.com or any sites that offer virtual assistant jobs.  You need to sign up and create your profile. Don’t worry about the fee, most of the freelancer sites don’t have registration fee but they will deduct a minimal amount of your income. You need to have effective communication skills and have a good conversational English with almost perfect grammar. I will attach screenshots of my profile on upwork.com.

2. Be an Online Seller                       

Many people nowadays do online selling and earned a full-time income. You can do this by selling your own items that you did not use anymore but it still functional, or you can help sell items for other people and take a small commission. You can sell these items in any online Platform or social media group. You can do live selling or just place it in any marketplace online. You need to take the time to do your due diligence and research the correct or exact platform that sells your product fast. You need to have also marketing skills for you to sell your product easier. In this case you need to have a laptop with an internet connection or phone with data.

3. Be an Online Tutor

There are a lot of tutorial websites here in the Philippines and abroad. You need to apply for this site and start immediately. But you can be an independent tutor direct to your possible client by searching them in Upwork.com or Freelancer.com. You need to apply directly to them and show your best asset during the interview to have a higher rate that ranges from $5 to $30 per hour. The tutorial will be done online via skype, zoom or any video conferencing app or sites.

What subject or things can you tutor online? You can easily tutor a subject like math, science, language and many more. You need to use a laptop or desktop with an internet connection.

4. Be a Vlogger or Blogger                                                          

Vlogging or Video Blogging is quite possibly one of the best ways to earn a passive income. If you think you have good content that possibly brings a huge number of viewers, then why not do a Videoblogging? Some teachers create online teaching videos that will aid learners who are at home also. All you have to do is to have more than one thousand views to generate income. You can upload these videos to your youtube channel, or Facebook page. You can do content blogging if you don’t want to show your face to the world. You can make a blog on blogger.com or in wordpress.com. You can create a blog for free.

Starting a Vlog or Blog might be simple. All you have to do is to consistently create a content. More content will generate more views for blogging and more readers for blogging. Create more content that you think it is informative or can help anyone to generate income in the future. You need to plant seeds now and enjoy the harvest later.

You need to have more videos in your youtube channel or Facebook page and more content in your sites to qualify the Google Adsense in your blog.

5. Be a Social Media Manager

Managing a social media page or group will help any businessman to share their products with the right audience. You can even set, who are your possible prospects that might know your products and increase the exposure of the product to the community.  You can search on youtube on how to manage a social media group or page. This way takes more time to increase your audience.

You can search for any businessman who needs your skill in social media to post any updates and details of the products that they are selling. Most of these businessmen will hire you for $10 to $25 per hour depending on your expertise.

6. Be an Affiliate Marketer

Affiliate marketing will help you generate money by promoting their products to their possible clients in your group or in your page. Some website will give a certain amount by just a simple click on the link but most of the site will give an amount if the person who click the link purchase the product you are promoting. you could make a significant amount of money if you have a large audience to sell those products.

Where you can find websites with affiliate marketing? In the Philippines, you can sign up as an affiliate in most of the eCommerce sites like lazada, zalora, shopee and many more. All you have to do is to sign up and get the code or link in the dashboard and post it on your page or group. Once the viewer clicks the link and purchases any item in the site within 3 months using the same phone or laptop during the time he clicks the link, you can get a portion of his payment. You can do research for the right offer and make sure that you share it with the right audience to generate income.

7. Be an eCommerce Website Owner

The eCommerce website is booming nowadays.  You can create your own eCommerce website and manage it on your own. Build a good reputation for your possible customers and do the consistent posting of products. You may promote it in your social media app. You can create your site in shopify.com. Shopify will give 14 days free trial. It is enough to master on how to your E-commerce website works.

8. Be a Tutorial Website or Services Website Owner in your community

Creating a tutorial website or services website is quite expensive but fulfilling in the future. You start in your community to pilot test this your site. It is difficult if you don’t have a background about it but there is a lot of information which you can learn online. There are also many coaches that may offer help to do your right website without even coding. You can hire somebody also to build your site if you have sufficient funds. But you can it on your own.

The first thing you are going to do is to think about the best domain that you think will fit your product. Next is choose the best hosting plan like in hostgator.com.

FIFTH SET OF POLICY DIRECTIVES OF DEPED TASK FORCE COVID-19

FIFTH SET OF POLICY DIRECTIVES

OF DEPED TASK FORCE COVID-19

DepEd Memo 034, s.2020

The Department of Education (DepEd) Task Force COVID-19 is issuing this fifth set of policy directives to reiterate and elaborate on previously issued measures for the guidance of DepEd officials, personnel and staff at the Central, Regional and Division Offices and school nationwide, to ensure heightened precautions in light of the recent developments in the overall national situation. DepEd Task Force COVID-19 is monitoring the situation closely and is ready to make an informed, coordinated, and proportionate response based on updated guidelines or advisory by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IAFT-EID) headed by the Department of Health (DOH).

The DOH has raised the COVID-19 Alert System to Code Red sublevel 1, following the confirmation of local transmission in the country and the anticipation of possible community transmission. 

DOWNLOAD and READ the COMPLETE DepEd Memo 034, s. 2020 (Click HERE)

Source: DepEd Official Issuance

2020 Brigada Eskwela Program Implementing Guidelines

2020 BRIGADA ESKWELA PROGRAM

IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES

DepEd Memo. No. 32 s. 2020

The Department of Education (DepEd) will conduct the 2020 Brigada Eskwela with the theme, Pagpapanitili ng Bayanihan Tungo sa Kalidad na Edukasyon para sa Kabataan, from May 18 to 23, 2020. The Brigada Eskwela is the National Schools Maintenance Week that aims to bring together all education stakeholders to participate and contribute their time, effort, and resources to prepare public school facilities for the opening of the school year in June.

The Brigada Eskwela Program is one of the most important programs in DepEd. In the spirit of Bayanihan, private institutions/individuals, government agencies, local government units, and other organizations contribute to the DepEd campaign to ensure accessible and quality basic education. The components of the program are the following:

a. Brigada Eskwela (National Schools Maintenance Week),

b. Brigada Eskwela Plus (Partnership Support for Access), and

c. Brigada Pagbasa (Partnership Support for Quality Education).

The National Kick-off Program shall be held on May 14, 2020, in the public school of the host region ( to be announced). Regional offices (RO's) and schools division offices (SDOs) shall hold a kick-off ceremony to launch the Brigada Eskwela in their respective areas on or before May 18, 2020.

DOWNLOAD and READ THE COMPLETE DepEd Order No. 32, s. 2020 (Download Here)

Source: DepEd Official Issuance