Search found 11 matches

by spanishteacher
Thu Mar 17, 2022 11:12 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Hawaii is no longer useful for non US trained teachers
Replies: 21
Views: 17363

Re: Hawaii is no longer useful for non US trained teachers

In regards to "having used them", I disagree,.for many reasons.But I've lurked enough around in these forums not to try to make you accept an opinion different than your own.

Good to know about the clarification information. At least none of those will be a yes. I'll have to wait and see what effect this has in practical terms, if any.
by spanishteacher
Mon Mar 14, 2022 3:03 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Hawaii is no longer useful for non US trained teachers
Replies: 21
Views: 17363

Re: Hawaii is no longer useful for non US trained teachers

I understand your point, but I do not feel I "used them" any more than any US teacher working internationally "uses" whatever department of education for whatever licenses they keep active while living and working abroad. Irrespective of that, and maybe it is just a cultural difference, I do find it odd that they cannot revoke or suspend a license based on an administrative error on their part without managing it as a disciplinary issue.

If my other license gets affected by it, well, too bad I guess. I went for the "surrender" option simply because the idea of a hearing, and then appealing and such, well, it does not sound like something I can do as a foreigner not even living in the US. Does the NASDTC Clearnighouse record the reason for surrender? I literally wrote that I had been asked to produce documentation pertaining my experience in the US, and given I was not currently working in HI or seeking work in HI, I would not be pursuing that path. Does it even matter the reason?
by spanishteacher
Sun Mar 13, 2022 11:53 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Hawaii is no longer useful for non US trained teachers
Replies: 21
Views: 17363

Re: Hawaii is no longer useful for non US trained teachers

Well, I really cannot afford to do the whole "I won't surrender my license" and think of ending having to appeal through HI court. That simply is not an option.

Due to this, I have surrendered my license. That being said, I understand that this will mean that (even though I surrendered it due to an administrative error on their part) this will be reported to NASDTC and might even end up in their "clearinghouse" database... This does worry me as I imagine this might prevent me from successfully getting a different teaching license through another state in the future? I currently hold another license, will this affect it?

In all honesty, I understand they have the right to choose what type of experience they accept or not. But to basically revoke or ask for surrendering a license as a "disciplinary action" because they made an administrative error with no error from the teacher who applied... well... It simply does not feel right...
by spanishteacher
Sun Feb 20, 2022 11:51 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Hawaii is no longer useful for non US trained teachers
Replies: 21
Views: 17363

Hawaii is no longer useful for non US trained teachers

For non US trained teachers, Hawaii used to work great. I got my license through them, and they even accepted my experience and gave me a Standard license .

But not anymore. I received a message from HTSB, and it seems they've had a change of heart on accepting non US experience. Actually, they stated they never should have accepted it, and that this is a mistake they made for several years and are now trying to fix. They told me that because they should not have accepted my experience, I should give up my standard license and apply for a provisional one, and that failure to do so would result in disciplinary action leading to them revoking my license. Even worse, if I give up my license and apply for a provisional one, I'll get 3 years, but that's it; as I cannot move it forward unless I work in the US. They also told me they are going through all licenses from non US trained teachers slowly and steadily.

In short, a non US trained teacher can no longer hope for a standard license from HI unless they actually use it to work in HI, or somehow work on another US state. International experience will not be accepted towards renewal or advancement... The immediate consequence, is that HI can be used to get a 3 year non renewable license, and nothing else.

If you are a non US trained teacher with a HI license and have not yet been contacted by HTSB, I would strongly suggest you consider moving it to another state through reciprocity or similar....
by spanishteacher
Wed Jan 06, 2021 10:45 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Teaching license (Spanish) for non US non European citizen
Replies: 16
Views: 14741

Re: Teaching license (Spanish) for non US non European citizen

Again, I can see where you are coming from, but I respectfully disagree. And yes, I do have over 8 years of experience in international IB schools. I would not say all of them have been at great schools, but most of them have been at pretty decent schools. There are definitely better schools than the ones I have worked at, but there are many that are much worse.

In regards to whether a US license or QTS automatically "means" something; I disagree. Many licensed teachers are great, and there are many (MANY) horrible-but-fully-licensed teachers. I also do not fully agree with the fact that this is the reason why parents pay a lot of money. I think they pay a lot of money for having a "good school" (whatever that means in their minds), but I don't think they go out asking schools what percentage of their teachers have which kind of specific teaching license. I have seen schools that state the percentage that have graduate degrees, or things like 100% of our teachers are qualified, but then again "qualified" means different things in different countries. I of course do find that there is value to it, but the value I see on having QTS or a US teaching license (in my particular case) is the fact that I can then meet requirements for some schools or countries that I am currently not meeting; that is the only value this has for me.

I cannot talk for other foreigners asking about licenses here, but in my case, it is a tick-box exercise. I fully disagree with you that first-tier schools don't just want to tick the box; many do, simply because they want the best teacher they can get but they still need to tick the boxes from an immigration and work-visa stand point. I am not seeking a more "western" qualification to get into a better school; I'm seeking one so that I don't get disqualified in HR processes due to not meeting a specific country's visa-requirements. In some countries, schools with sufficient pull will be able to get me a work visa (they have done that before), but for some, this is not possible. So, for me, it is not about "moving tiers" as you mention, but simply opening up possibilities that may not exist now due to not being able to tick a box that for some countries is a must.

About your view on how the US should not be just a "universal pool of credentials for any English speaking person"; I see your point. I understand it and won't really challenge it. I think that maybe this happens due to how the "international school market" has evolved (with most international schools out there being either US-centric or UK-centric).

In any case, I always enjoy a good discussion, and again, although I disagree with some of your views, I can see where you are coming from.

Best of luck in your search for a school with better conditions than the ones you mention you currently are facing.
by spanishteacher
Wed Jan 06, 2021 5:00 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Teaching license (Spanish) for non US non European citizen
Replies: 16
Views: 14741

Re: Teaching license (Spanish) for non US non European citizen

@Modernist
I would really question whether spending "tens of thousands of USD/GBP" should automatically equate to someone automatically deserving "benefits" (the term you used). Should getting an acceptable qualification be just a matter of paying into it? I also would question the "years of effort to get". Many qualified teachers obtain their teaching license through programs that last just 1 year or less; and then of course there are those who obtain their license through things such as the MA route often suggested in these forums. So I am not sure exactly why it should be so "bad" to ask if there is a way for someone with a graduate degree in teaching a specific subject and actual teaching experience to get their experience and education to be taken into account so that they don't have to start from scratch when they already have made a career in international education.

You mentioned also "that lasts for my entire career and doesn't require any PD or additional expense or effort ever again". I never said such thing, nor was it my intention. I am aware that if I were to get a US license, it would require PD to maintain. Although, since you mention that point,I'm not an expert, but I was under the impression that UK teachers with QTS don't need to do any PD to retain their QTS status. Do you find that also to be an issue?

Although I can see where you are coming from, I think you have misread where I'm coming from. "Qualifications" vary depending on the country of origin. In my country, having a Masters of Education in my field automatically qualifies me to be a teacher (there is no formal "paper" I can produce saying this, as the teacher register is strictly for public school teachers, which I have never been part of). Although a NACES evaluation of my degree did not come out as a Teacher Training program (it simply says it is a Masters in Education with the specific field of teaching Spanish), that's exactly what it was; it was a 1-year program aimed at teaching me how to teach Spanish as a Foreign language, and it included having to carry out student teaching at high school level (which I was allowed to do at the place where I was working at). In addition to this, I'm close to having a decade of IB teaching experience in international schools (9 years in June) and am highly involved with IBEN, which I would say as a whole make me, in practical terms, a much more qualified teacher in my field than many license-holders (whether they spent thousands or dollars or not). I have been able to work like this for 8 and a half years, working in reputable (including in Western Europe). I could probably continue to work like this as I have a solid CV, but am simply looking to improve my marketability a bit, and I don't see why inquiring about the most practical and cost-effective option for this should be looked down upon.

@PsyGuy
Thank you for the feedback. The information you provided is very useful indeed.
by spanishteacher
Tue Jan 05, 2021 10:03 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Teaching license (Spanish) for non US non European citizen
Replies: 16
Views: 14741

Re: Teaching license (Spanish) for non US non European citizen

Hi Psyguy,

Sounds interesting, but I am not sure it woud work. Here's why (and let me know if there's an error in my reasoning)
1. I can apply for UT AEL. This gives me 2 years (max).
2. Before the 2 years are up, I can apply to HI Provisional under Option B (having a university diploma and a valid license from another state). This gives me a non-renewable 3 year license.
3. I then need to move into a HI Standard. However, I don't see any paths that would apply. Option D would not work now, because it is aimed at people having a license from another state. And at that point my license from UT AEL would have expired. All other pathways to HI Standard (based on having an existing license from Hawaii) seem to involve having completed teacher training, so I would be back to square 1.

Given this, I am not sure if this pathway actually would work?
by spanishteacher
Tue Jan 05, 2021 11:36 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Teaching license (Spanish) for non US non European citizen
Replies: 16
Views: 14741

Re: Teaching license (Spanish) for non US non European citizen

Hi again PsyGuy

I agree on PGCEi not being a credential, that's what I meant when I said it is not an actual teaching license.

I am intrigued by the idea of UT AEL and then progressing into HI Standard. Which of the path options for HI Standard would that be? Option D? Would HI take the UT AEL license as an acceptable license to meet the requirement under Option D?

My understanding is that the HI Standard requires 3 years of experience. If this means 3 years of experience while holding a license, would this not mean that once I would not be able to apply as the UT AEL license would then be expired? How long does the UT AEL license last for? If it is 2 years, how would it work to get the HI Standard license? Or do the 3 years of experience required by HI are not necessarily under that same license that one is using to meet the criteria of having a license issued by another qualifying jurisdiction?
by spanishteacher
Mon Jan 04, 2021 10:51 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Teaching license (Spanish) for non US non European citizen
Replies: 16
Views: 14741

Re: Teaching license (Spanish) for non US non European citizen

Hi PsyGuy,

Tha MA provisional is not viable in terms of the required communication literacy exam, but as I stated, the fact that I could do it online would reduce the stress a bit for me... But having to travel to MA just to take a Spanish does not seem very viable...

UT AEL sounds interesting. But it is not renewable and time-limited. What would I do once it expires?

PGCE is not an option as I would have to work in the UK. PGCEi is not really a credential (in a way, I think it is the same as my M.Ed. as it really is not an actual teaching license).

I cannot register in my home country, as my home country only registers teachers working in public schools. I would need to travel there and obtain a local job at a public school just so that I can register. So that is not an option.

GTCS is interesting. But because my M.Ed. is not the same as "teacher training" my application would not go through. I imagine it would probably be the same for GTCNI.

I would not mind hearing about the other esoteric options you have in mind, even if just out of curiosity.
by spanishteacher
Tue Dec 29, 2020 7:31 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Teaching license (Spanish) for non US non European citizen
Replies: 16
Views: 14741

Re: Teaching license (Spanish) for non US non European citizen

Thank you PsyGuy.

I have seen many post of yours regarding certification requirements. Any suggestions for my case? I mean, other than the provisional license from MA? I did see that MA is now doing some (not all) of the MTEL examinations online (which reduces the stress level for me), but unfortunately, the Spanish MTEL is not one of them (so I could do the basic communication test online, but would need to physically travel to MA just to take the Spanish exam, which is not really viable given the current situation worldwide).

Any creative ideas on possible certifications paths for me that can be done online? I really want to stay away from Teach Now because it is a lot of money, and a lot of examinations (I prefer the MA route in that case as I already have enough experience with international IB schools that I am mostly concerned is simply in getting a formal teaching qualification just to tick that box).
by spanishteacher
Mon Dec 28, 2020 10:18 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Teaching license (Spanish) for non US non European citizen
Replies: 16
Views: 14741

Teaching license (Spanish) for non US non European citizen

Hello,

I have been following this forum for a while, but only now I have created an account. I have read a lot of the information about licenses, am aware of TEACH NOW (as well as the provisional licenses some people always bring up), but I was hoping to still ask a licensing questions specific to my case.

I am a native Spanish speaker and have been (luckily, I guess) teaching Spanish in international schools for a while (three countries, different regions). Maybe I am lucky since I have been doing this without an actual teaching license (I am single, so I guess maybe that has played in my favor). My main "qualification" for this has been a Masters degree in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language. However, I do not have an actual teaching license (in my country there is no "teaching license" as such, only a register of teachers and that is only if you work at a public school). I would like to get a more "acceptable" teaching license, hopefully, a US-based one. Here's some context information:

* I am not a US citizen. But I do have a SSN as I once lived in the US (one of those "work experience" programs, when I was younger).
* I am not an EU citizen either.
* I am a native Spanish speaker and have been teaching Spanish as a foreign language for over 8 years now.
* My undergraduate degree is non-related (business). I have a Masters degree in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language
* I would like to obtain a teaching license in Spanish (Secondary) while continuing my work at my current school
* Here's the hard part: I would like to obtain this license the "fastest" way possible, without any tests involving checking for English proficiency, as I am a horrible test-taker for these kind of things (I have seen the MTEL "Communication and Literacy Skills test" and I have to say I am not super confident). Because of this, I am not very sure about the MA provisional license or something like TEACH NOW. I have no issues with tests about Spanish proficiency. Before anyone questions if I should be working as a teacher while not being confident in passing an English test, please know I have been a successful teacher in 3 different second-tier IB schools and have had no issue with meeting all expectations, including report-writing, talking to parents, etc. etc. I am simply horrible at English proficiency tests and thus prefer to avoid them.

Any ideas? Are there any states that have easier paths specifically for World Languages teachers (maybe due to shortages) and which I can apply to as a non-US citizen? I know about the CT path for experienced teachers, but that path does not help me as they did not accept my prior education completely and gave me an insane number of credits and specific courses that I would need to take if I wanted to apply for that... I know the answer is probably "no" but thought maybe there is a state that allows my experience in addition to taking a Praxis (or similar) in Spanish in order to get a license (even if limited)?

Thanks