How International Teachers Can Successfully Integrate into U.S. Schools

Many internationally qualified teachers always have dreams of teaching in American schools as a way of experiencing growth in their careers and participating in cultural interchangeability. However, the integration process of learners into schools in the United States can at times be very challenging if adequate assistance is not sought. As at US Global Teachers, with years of experience dealing with the H-1B cap exempt visa process, we administer the help international educators require teaching in U.S. schools.

As stated earlier, in this blog post I will discuss basic factors that make a teacher from another country fit in the schools in America, and those include:

1. You need the right visa for international teachers

The first and the most important process in order for an international teacher to have the ability to work in the United States is to obtain the right visa. Although there are different types of visas for employment of foreign workers, the H-1B visa is the standard option for teachers. However, the application for an H-1B visa might be quite complicated since the program is somewhat capped for a specified number of persons in a specific year.

The good news is that there is a possibility to get an H-1B cap exempt visa in case you are a teacher working in a public school and non-profit organization. This exemption means that any teacher that satisfies the requirements of this provision can circumvent the cap and easily acquire the visa.

At US Global Teachers, our dedicated team of professionals assists foreign educators in securing an H-1B cap-exempt visa and offers them the highest chance of the visa being approved as possible. We assist fully in the filing of the application forms by attaching the documents required and make the whole process as smooth as possible.

2. Fitting into the Education System in the United States

The second major challenge when one gets the visa is that intern teachers lack an understanding of the nature of the U.S. education system. Education systems differ from country to country. However, there are some specific features of pre- and in-service education for international teachers in the United States.

a. Curriculum and Standards:

Currently, the United States has state standards that are curriculum frameworks defining what students are expected to learn throughout their education level. Every state has its own department of education that establishes such standards, and teachers are supposed to create lessons from these guidelines. It’s necessary to get acquainted with the listing of courses in your state to orient your approach to teaching according to the American educational standards.

b. Student-Centered Approach:

What is especially emphasized in many classes in the U.S. is the student-centered approach to learning, in which a teacher’s primary function is to organize instruction. Learning activities in the classroom involve questioning, discussion, exploration and correction, and use of objects and materials, art, music, etc. Thai teachers should embrace this type of teaching that is interactive as well as collaborative in nature, international teachers should also be prepared for this kind of teaching methodology.

c. Assessment Methods:

Test taking has become one of the most dominant methods of evaluating students by schools in the United States. Standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, and tests specific to states are of paramount significance in monitoring students’ performance. Knowledge of these testing systems would assist the teachers from other countries to understand the type of assessment undertaken on their students, as well as how the students could be prepared for the assessment.

3. American Cultural Adjustment: 

Cultural adaptations are one of the biggest parts of an international teacher’s experience in the United States. The school culture in America may be very different from what is experienced in other countries and may therefore take some time to adopt. Here are some important cultural adjustments to keep in mind:

a. Classroom Environment:

It is not unusual to have postsecondary classrooms in the United States that are open, elastic, and efficient. The teaching profession requires teachers to promote work and student self-organizing for active engagement, respect, and information sharing. When teaching in a new culture, such as in the United States, all the approaches to classroom management that you were using in your home country may not be effective.

b. Parent-Teacher Communication:

In the U.S. there is often a great emphasis placed on dialogue between parents and teachers. Helping the child grow well socially is another responsibility that teachers are expected to help the parents meet, especially by communicating the child’s progress to the parents on a regular basis. In many cases, schools conduct parent-teacher meetings occasionally, and in some schools, even teachers communicate with parents through online portals. Just as parents play an important role in your life as a teacher, it’s good to appreciate this fact, besides fostering a good relationship with them courtesy of proper communication.

c. Diversity and Inclusion:

American classrooms are multiculturally diverse, and many students come from ethnic, cultural, and starkly different economic backgrounds. Much effort is made by teachers to ensure that students from all levels are especially acknowledged and appreciated. Foreign educators should ensure that they embrace diversity and ensure that all children in their class are reached through an individually appropriate teaching strategy.

4. Support Structures for International Educators

Therefore, the best approach to embracing one’s self in schools in the United States is first to identify friends. From my experience, most teachers have described the opportunity to relate with other teachers from other countries as being advantageous. This can serve as a source of comfort as well as someone to give you counsel on all matters, especially in your new position.

Besides teachers, there are numerous associations for international educators, mostly providing information, workshops, and meeting points. These networks allow you to be up-to-date with the latest trends in education and provide you with connections with the other professionals.

At US Global Teachers, we work closely with international teachers considering teaching jobs in America, not only helping with the visa process but also assisting throughout their teaching employment. We support our teachers in all aspects, from their initial welcome through to introductions to other teachers.

5. Success in Your Teaching Profession in the U.S.

Successful students’ assimilation is not limited to mastering the content and realizing the organizational and communal culture of the academic institutions of the USA. It is also about staff development on a continuing basis. Being an international teacher, there are plenty of resources that are available to teachers in order to enhance personal development .

a. Professional Development Opportunities:

In the USA there are a lot of opportunities held in schools: workshops, training sessions and others for the teacher’s professional development. Using these resources will assist you in keeping abreast of the latest in education and instructional practices. Also, many school districts offer work-matched teaching induction programs for those teachers who are new to the school, this is help for international teachers.

b. Career Advancement:

The education sector in the United States provides enough opportunities to progress in the ranks of one’s career. After some years of service you might be promoted to hold key positions such as the head of a department, coordinator or even an administrator. That way, you remain committed to your professional growth so you can have a chance at better career options in the future.

Conclusion

Teaching in the US schools as an international teacher therefore may sound like a monumental challenge, but once one is in the system, it can be one of the most fulfilling experiences. Welcome to US Global Teachers, one of the best education staffing agencies among US, where we provide support for the international teachers to get their H-1B cap exempt visa and teach in the United States.

Exploring and learning about the visa procedure as well as modifying and embracing the school system of the United States of America as well as cultural differences and having a good network of company of other teachers in the United States school, the international teachers are equally in a position to transform the lives of these students and themselves positively.

We welcome international teachers who are seeking advice on how you can teach in the United States to get in touch with our team. And you can count on us supporting you through the process!