Search found 10 matches

by jkubok2
Sat Apr 04, 2020 10:23 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Experienced EFL Teacher looking for a quick US Cert
Replies: 37
Views: 132235

Re: Experienced EFL Teacher looking for a quick US Cert

@psyguy

Thank you as always for the extremely useful information and for laying out the basic arguments very succinctly.

As per your question, my goal is to get a renewable secondary ed license that in 4 years time I can eventually move to another state in the US where I actually want to live, or possibly move it to Australia. I do not want to live nor teach in Mississippi. I only moved the license there because Utah would not allow me to renew my APT license.

Maybe a very brief background would be helpful. Currently, my wife and I are living in Japan and teaching EFL in a university here. Also I'm working on a Master's in TESOL, already hold a BA in Eng Lit and a number of other EFL certs We will be here for the next 4 years and after that we would move to either the US or Aus because I'm American and she's Australian and we have a new baby daughter that we would like to raise in one of our home countries depending on political climate, finances, family, etc, etc.

So after our 4 years here, I would love to have a teaching license then that allows me to easily take up a secure secondary ed post in a high school (assuming that I couldn't find a full-time ESL uni teaching post. Most ESL uni posts in English speaking countries are adjunct unfortunately.) In that high school, I would teach either ELA or ESL as I have passed the PRAXIS in both 5039 and 5362. Therefore, as I said, I need a license that would allow me not only do that, but also that will not expire on me in the next 4 years while we are in Japan. In short, I need a license that won't die on me in the next 4 years. The UT one was 3 years non-renewable (expires June 2020) and the 2 year MS one is also non-renewable (expires June 2022).

I'm open to any and all suggestions. Thank you again for all of your sound advice. It is greatly appreciated.
by jkubok2
Wed Apr 01, 2020 10:22 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Experienced EFL Teacher looking for a quick US Cert
Replies: 37
Views: 132235

Re: Experienced EFL Teacher looking for a quick US Cert

@psyguy

My Utah APT cert is expiring in June of this year, so I moved it over to MS and was granted a license but only the 2 year non-renewable cert as per this letter that I received:

• Original documentation verifying completion of an approved educator preparation program. This documentation must be on the letterhead of the particular agency where the educator preparation program was completed.

Apparently I would still need to do a program to get the 5 year license, although that is not stated on there licensure guidelines:

(5 year) Class A
1. Valid out-of-state license(Upload PDF copy of valid out-of-state educator license via Educator Licensure Management System (ELMS) account or submit photocopy of original educator license via postal mail)
2. Official Sealed copy of all college transcripts
3. Documentation must be provided to show a passing score on a subject assessment required for each endorsement area of certification by the
issuing state, or documentation that verifies the out-of-state license was obtained in a manner equivalent with current Mississippi license guidelines for that license.

Is it worth trying to fight it and push for the 5 year or should I just take the 2 years and be happy i got that? At least I have extended my license until June 2022.

Thanks for the advice.
by jkubok2
Sun May 07, 2017 4:30 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Experienced EFL Teacher looking for a quick US Cert
Replies: 37
Views: 132235

Re: Experienced EFL Teacher looking for a quick US Cert

@psyguy Thanks for all of your help. I will apply for the MS license and hope for the best. Thanks for all of your help, I really appreciate it. I could always get a Japanese license because I can speak the language and have taught as an EFL teacher there for many years...if it comes to this.

I've actually just received an offer for the next academic year to teach at a 9-12 technology high school here in the UAE where I'm living now as a EFL teacher (because of my experience) even though my APT is in ELA--as ESOL wasn't offered. I hope it would could towards my necessary 3 years of experience to reach level 2. I haven't made a decision whether to accept it yet, but I do appreciate your advice, especially recommending the APT. Offer received! Thanks and all the best...
by jkubok2
Sat May 06, 2017 1:26 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Experienced EFL Teacher looking for a quick US Cert
Replies: 37
Views: 132235

Re: Experienced EFL Teacher looking for a quick US Cert

@psyguy Same exact response to me as well for QTS - denied.

And I emailed MS BoE to ask them...if with the UT level 1, would I be eligible to apply for the 5 year license? And at first I received a general template reply:

"All documents must be received and reviewed before licensure status is confirmed. Please mail all required documents to the Office of Educator Licensure, P.O. Box 771, Jackson, MS 39205-0771. If you have additional questions, please contact the Office of Educator at 601-359-3483."

But upon further pressing they offered this which is of really no more help:

"In reference to reciprocity, there are only two year and five year licenses. When your documents are received, the licensure - will review to verify which license you will qualify for. If you have additional questions, please contact the Office of Educator Licensure at 601-359-3483."

What are my other options? I don't really want the MS 2 year license as it is still a level 1, I believe. And then of course I'd have to move it again in a couple years. How can I get that professional grade license so I can apply for QTS? I don't think there is a way.

Thanks again for all of your help.
by jkubok2
Wed Apr 19, 2017 4:12 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Experienced EFL Teacher looking for a quick US Cert
Replies: 37
Views: 132235

Re: Experienced EFL Teacher looking for a quick US Cert

@psyguy

Thank you for the useful information, as always. I'll give QTS a shot with my UT license and if it doesn't work I'll move over to MS. How long does the MS cert last (my UT is good for 3 years with a 1 year renew) and can you add qualifications by adding Praxis exams to the MS one just like the HI one? Cheers!
by jkubok2
Sat Apr 01, 2017 1:24 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Experienced EFL Teacher looking for a quick US Cert
Replies: 37
Views: 132235

Re: Experienced EFL Teacher looking for a quick US Cert

@psyguy and @vdanya

I have also received my UT APT license but I haven't tried for QTS. I guess I won't now. So, psyguy what would standardising my UT license in Mississippi do for me? Thanks for your help!
by jkubok2
Tue Oct 04, 2016 2:58 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Experienced EFL Teacher looking for a quick US Cert
Replies: 37
Views: 132235

Re: Experienced EFL Teacher looking for a quick US Cert

@psyguy

Thanks for all of your help so far. I'm in the middle of studying for my praxis II subject exam for ELA and doing the background check to get my Utah initial license. I should have it by December or January.

From there, I'm thinking about then applying for the Standard license in Hawaii using track D, here it is from there website:

"D. APPLICANTS WHO HOLD A TEACHING LICENSE ISSUED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ANOTHER STATE SINCE JULY 1, 2006, SUBMIT:
1. If your licensing agency does not have a public license lookup, submit HTSB Form OS3009 Agency Confirmation.

AND

Verification of at least three (3) out of the last five (5) years of satisfactory full time teaching in Hawaii or another state."

Unfortunately, I don't think I'll qualify for the experience part as it has to be within the last 5 years and my Japan K-12 experience was about 8 years ago. I have other EFL experience within the last 5 years including teacher mentoring in Malaysian public schools but I don't believe this will work as it is EFL experience teaching adults.

What other options do I have once I receive my UT license for moving it to a standard? Other states? What would you recommend?
Thanks again!
by jkubok2
Mon Sep 12, 2016 9:05 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Experienced EFL Teacher looking for a quick US Cert
Replies: 37
Views: 132235

Re: Experienced EFL Teacher looking for a quick US Cert

Actually I think Hawaii might be a better option if I can get around the "completed a teacher prep program" with my experience. What do you think?
by jkubok2
Mon Sep 12, 2016 7:39 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Experienced EFL Teacher looking for a quick US Cert
Replies: 37
Views: 132235

Re: Experienced EFL Teacher looking for a quick US Cert

Strange, the only way for me to get to the ct.gov site was through a proxy. Anyway it finally worked for me and I'm wondering if I should apply for the initial or provisional cert? How do I go about providing proof of service/experience from my Japanese schools? And possibly other schools where I've worked. Thanks so much!
by jkubok2
Mon Sep 12, 2016 12:13 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Experienced EFL Teacher looking for a quick US Cert
Replies: 37
Views: 132235

Experienced EFL Teacher looking for a quick US Cert

Longer question here, sorry, I'm a US citizen, been teaching EFL for 10 years now all over Asia and Eastern Europe. But I only have 3 years full-time K-12 experience (in Japanese public schools), the rest has been in private language schools, colleges and with the British Council (BC). I was a teacher mentor for the BC to Malaysian primary school teachers for a year and half, but wasn't actually teaching English, just observing, etc. I have a CELTA cert (2012) with the BC and a BA in English from the U of Illinois (2006). I'm currently in Tokyo teaching in a vocational college so I cannot do my student teaching while here unless I found another job. I just took all 3 PRAXIS generals (and passed) and I'm about to do my PRAXIS II ESOL and ELA content exams here in Tokyo. I've been accepted into a partially online teacher's training program (TTP) in my home state of WI and planned to receive my initial teacher's cert there, I haven't paid for the course yet though... looking at the coursework...it all seems pretty useless and expensive. It actually doesn't matter what state I get certified in for now because I'll probably be going to the UAE next, but will eventually land in the US or Australia permanently (my spouse is Australian).

I've searched this site and others and I've read lots of opinions. I like what @psyguy has to say so I hope that he'll chime in. I was hoping to get a definitive guide on how to get an initial US certification without taking a teacher's training course. Is it even possible? With just my experience, degree, exams, etc?

I've read about the CT > HI > CA route, but it's so complicated. I've read about the MA route, but you can only take the MTEL in the US. I've read about FL, DC, OR, Teach Now, Teach Ready, American Board, etc. This CT one seems to be the answer, but (1) the CT state site is down and (2) I don't really understand how you can get an initial cert w/out doing a TTP, and (3) why would I then need to change it to HI. I went to the HI site but it also says that you need a TTP. What cert track would I be going down? Btw,I would love to get that CA cert eventually, but how would I go about doing that? How long would that take? And then could I eventually add a Physics licensure to that cert after I do 6 more credits and take the content exam?

I guess the main goal at this moment is to just pass my PRAXIS II exams, apply from abroad for an initial cert from somewhere/anywhere using my experience and then find a job teaching ESOL in a K-12 school in the UAE before the next hiring season, which is Spring 2017...work starting for the Fall 2017 school year. Is that possible? If someone could help me out, it would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.