Requirement for teaching job in the US?

Question

I am looking for a professional response from someone in the education field. In the Caribbean, there are teacher training colleges where an aspiring teacher chooses a particular area of specification and is trained that field, eg. nursery, primary, secondary (in this case, specific subjects - English Language, Mathematics, etc). Of course the programme is reasonably extensive. At the completion, two or three years, a teacher receives a Trained Teacher's Certificate. He/She is considered a trained teacher and can have a teaching job in most Caribbean countries. Could a Caribbean Trained Teacher be considered qualified enough to acquire a job in US Schools? Note that these same teachers prepare students to write CSEC (Caribbean Examination) where thereafter they enter Universities.

Answer 1

It's possible, but I can almost guarantee that you'll still have to take additional classes to meet most state's requirements.  It sounds like these classes in the Caribbean do not give a person a Bachelor's degree... that's going to make it tougher.

Answer 2

In private schools:  as long as the principle thinks you're qualified, that'll do.  But more than likely, you'll need a PhD

public school:  Teaching credential + BA/BS or above degree in what you want to teach  (k~12)  need a PhD or MA for college/universities.

Answer 3

Each state has its own requirements in the US.  Most teachers I've spoken to who have credentials from another country have had to take some classes, at least, to be credentialed in the US.  It would likely be easier in an area of high demand, such as math, science, Special Education.  You would have to check with the credentialing people in the state you were interested in to be sure.

Answer 4

JS is right about the state by state requirements.  You need to check with each states education department and see what they require.  It also varies depending on subject speciality and age group you will be teaching.

www.wgu.edu is an accredited online teachers college.  I am currently living in Vietnam working on my degree with WGU.  Once I finish my degree I must complete my student teaching and I can teach anywhere in the country.

Apart from getting those credentials you will be limited to working in learning centers or tutoring students, which, quiet honestly, can pay even better than teaching if you do it right.