Teaching certification (York: fingerprints, employment, private schools)

[usmcwifex]

Is it hard to get a Teaching certification/job with a dismissed charge and expunged record from another state? Would this show up on background check?

[Wells5]

Getting a PA teaching certificate when the certificate holder is from out of state is very difficult. You must undergo a thorough background check including being fingerprinted by the State Police as per Act 34, 114 and 115. You need to have at least 2 years of "successful" teaching, completed certain courses and passed a battery of tests including the Praxis and subject area competency exams. If your rap sheet includes any form of child abuse, whether convicted or not, you will not qualify. See below.

PA Certification

My best advice is to contact a certification specialist at a local college education department who can evaluate you for any deficiencies and recommend a program for you.

[toobusytoday]

According the to the TOS, you are not allowed to post the same question in more than one forum. You've posted this question in the teaching forum. //www.city-data.com/forum/teach...l#post36107084 However, since the answer may be more state specific, I'm going to let it stay here. Only pointing that out so this post does not get reported and also for other posters to see what the teachers forum posters thought.

[usmcwifex]

Originally Posted by Wells5

Getting a PA teaching certificate when the certificate holder is from out of state is very difficult. You must undergo a thorough background check including being fingerprinted by the State Police as per Act 34, 114 and 115. You need to have at least 2 years of "successful" teaching, completed certain courses and passed a battery of tests including the Praxis and subject area competency exams. If your rap sheet includes any form of child abuse, whether convicted or not, you will not qualify. See below.

PA Certification

My best advice is to contact a certification specialist at a local college education department who can evaluate you for any deficiencies and recommend a program for you.

I currently do not have a certificate, I have not even gone to school for teaching yet. My dismissed charge is in NC, but I am moving to PA and going to school there. The charge has nothing to do with the welfare of a child.

[usmcwifex]

also, I am aware of what education a teacher must complete, that wasn't what I had asked..

[villageidiot1]

The clearances mentioned above (Act 34, 114 and 115), typically need to be gained during your sophomore year in college since you need them before you can set foot in an elementary or secondary school.

[usmcwifex]

Originally Posted by villageidiot1

The clearances mentioned above (Act 34, 114 and 115), typically need to be gained during your sophomore year in college since you need them before you can set foot in an elementary or secondary school.

I'd like to teach pre k or kindergarten (early childhood education), would I need to disclose this? I had heard that you only need to disclose convictions.

[Wells5]

Originally Posted by usmcwifex

I'd like to teach pre k or kindergarten (early childhood education), would I need to disclose this? I had heard that you only need to disclose convictions.

Your fingerprints will point to your arrest record even if the charges were dropped or dismissed. Talk to someone in the education department at the college that you want to attend. They can give you a definitive answer.

[bluecarebear]

It is near impossible to get a full-time teaching position in PA unless the individual is connected. Don't even bother trying. I'm not being mean. It is a fact. The pay and benefits are so good that teachers don't leave their jobs. We have an overabundance of highly qualified certified teachers that aren't working in their profession. I know a couple that have tried to go the sub route in order to get in the door. They ended up subbing for years and finally gave up.

Again, not being mean but either find another state or occupation.

[katnip kid]

Bluecarebear, what about private schools? Is it equally difficult to find full-time employment as a teacher in private schools in PA as well? What about neighboring states, for ex., New York State?