Expert: Debba Robinson - 4/6/2004

Question
I have a B.Ed from the University of Alberta, Canada
A computer technican Diploma from the Northern Alberta School of Technology (Canada) and seven years teaching experience.

I have not taught for over ten years. What are my the chances of gaining teaching employment in the United States. Am I qualified to teach in the Unites States?  

Answer
Dear Susan,

Each state is different.  I've been out of the US for a long time and can't speak with a lot of authority, especially since No Child Left Behind became the word of the day.  Your best bet is to contact the State Department of Education for the states in which you might want to reside.  (you can do a search for 'X State Department of Education')They can fill you in on what you would need to do to get a certificate in their states.  

I'm going to guess that you will be required to take a Praxis test ... teacher testing is in place for all new certificates ... but you might be pleasantly surprised that some states don't have such tight restrictions and offer reciprocity to other certificates.  

Good luck.

Debba