The Teach USA program connects enthusiastic, highly qualified international teachers with U.S. primary and secondary schools to promote cultural understanding and public diplomacy.
Our primary goal is to facilitate an exceptional professional exchange program for teachers from all around the world to share their knowledge and experience in the U.S.
Through travel and cultural exchange, we help individuals reach their full potential, leading to a more tolerant, peaceful and environmentally sustainable world.
The purpose of the Teach USA program is to promote interaction and enhance mutual understanding between U.S. and international teachers. Participating teachers are placed in an accredited K-12 school (that meets or exceeds state standards) for up to 3 years and teach a wide range of subjects. During this program teachers can expect to sharpen their professional skills and take part in cross-cultural activities within their schools and local communities.
Greenheart Exchange provides two (2) program options:
A host school is an accredited school (public or private), that meets or exceeds state standards, and that is committed to supporting international education and cultural exchange. Host schools do not pay a program fee but are expected to work with Greenheart Exchange as partners with the shared goal of providing our international teachers adequate support before, during, and after the program.
Host schools must be willing to offer teachers full-time (at least 32 hours/week) teaching positions and a salary and benefits equal to that of their American counterparts. Some best practices for host schools include:
Greenheart Exchange recruits highly qualified teachers from all over the world who teach a variety of subjects, including elementary education, STEM, world languages, and special education.
Participants in the Teach USA program must meet the following minimum requirements:
Host schools do not have to pay a fee on the Teach USA Program. The participant is responsible for paying their program and visa fees. However, as a best practice, we do encourage schools to pay for some or all of the participant’s fees if funding is available to do so. Please see our program fee structure here.
*Greenheart Exchange will match schools with qualified international teacher candidates who meet their hiring needs.
No. The teacher is responsible for their program and visa fees. However, we do encourage host schools to pay for some or all of the participant’s fees if funding is available and as a best practice.
Teachers must earn the same salary as their American counterparts. Greenheart Exchange ensures this during the application process and job offer review. This is also outlined in the Host School Terms & Conditions Agreement.
he certification process of international teachers varies state-by-state. Most states require, at minimum, a Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) from a certified credential evaluator that is part of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
We recommend that teachers research and communicate with their host school regarding the state licensing procedure and, upon receiving a job offer, begin the credentialing process as soon as possible. Information on NACES can be found here http://naces.org/.
All accredited K-12 schools that meet or exceed their state standards are eligible to become host schools, provided they are supportive of international teachers and cultural exchange. An exchange teacher may teach at the pre-kindergarten level only in a language immersion program offered as regular course of study by an accredited primary school.
Yes. Spouses and children under the age of 21 are eligible for a J-2 Dependent Visa sponsorship from Greenheart Exchange. We recommend that a teacher’s family join them after they’ve arrived at their placement, began teaching, and secured housing. Additionally, J-2 dependent children are allowed to attend school in the U.S. during the length of the international teacher’s program.
This Exchange Visitor Program generally allows for teachers to teach in the U.S. for up to 3 years. Teachers in their third year of year participation are eligible to apply for a program extension of one to two years if mutually agreed upon with their host school. It’s then required that participants return to their home country for a cumulative period of 2 years to share their experience and knowledge gained in their home country, before applying for another J-1 teacher visa.
This Exchange Visitor Program visa is a professional, cultural exchange visa that, in no way, attempts to displace American teachers. We work with schools in need of highly qualified teachers due to widespread teacher shortages in certain subject areas. International teachers are then required to return to their home countries to share their experience for a minimum of 2 years.
The benefits are innumerable. Cultural exchange in schools expose students and faculty to diverse teaching practices from highly qualified teachers that bring years of experience from different countries. This is a rare, low-cost investment in professional development that will have an immediate impact on students and faculty. International teachers offer the opportunity to fill a specific skill set that your school is looking for during times that there is a teacher shortage (I.e.: special education background, science teachers, etc.).
Yes. International teachers must be certified to teach in their U.S. state although the nature of their licensure varies state-by-state. Many states offer an alternative licensing pathway for international teachers. To find out more information on state licensing options for international teachers, please contact your state board of education or Greenheart Exchange.