Visiting Teachers Program
South Carolina Department of Education
International Visiting Teachers Program
The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) is designated as a sponsor of an Exchange Visitor Program by the United States Department of State. Through this designation, the SCDE is able to sponsor teachers from other countries to teach in South Carolina in the International Visiting Teachers Program. There are currently Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreements with five countries: China, France, India, Spain, and Taiwan. These MOUs have been established as a means of broadening cultural understanding, fostering the exchange of educational ideas and techniques, and introducing teachers from other countries into the classrooms and communities in South Carolina. School districts throughout the state have an opportunity to provide students with programs that are linguistically and culturally rich to better prepare them for future success in their personal, academic, and professional lives. This program recruits highly qualified teachers and provides students, parents, and educators the opportunity to work with professionals from another country.
Teachers from China, France, Spain, and Taiwan are invited to participate as language teachers while teachers from India are invited to teach math, science, and special education. All of the teachers are certified under the International Certificate, a short term certificate for teachers participating in J-1 programs. The SCDE will assist school districts in placing teachers from the five countries as participants in the International Visiting Teachers Program.
Timelines:
- November: Information about the program is disseminated to participating school district's Human Resource officers regarding placement of teachers for the following school year.
- December: School district's Human Resource officers notify the SCDE of teacher requests and discuss selection requirements. Submit Teacher Request Form (The reuest form is available to district personnel via the CPS web application) to indicate teachers that are needed.
- January: Staff at the SCDE discuss the teacher request with school district staff.
- February/March: Discuss administrative needs, mentor responsibilities, teacher support, and culture with participating school districts. School district and SCDE sign a Memorandum of Understanding. Visiting teachers make preparations to travel to the United States (apply for visas, make travel arrangements to depart home country, and gather teaching materials if needed).
- July/August: Visiting teachers arrive in South Carolina and participate in orientation sessions.
Country Guidelines:
China – A request must be submitted to SCDE in December by each participating district’s Human Resource officer. The Chinese government must be provided sufficient time to announce the position and request applications from its teachers. Stateside, each district’s Human Resource staff and/or principal will be able to review resumes, view a Webcam interview (if available), and conduct telephone interviews. A Teacher Request Form must be submitted no later than December to allow time for teacher selections and completion of visa, travel, and other arrangements.
France – A request for teachers from L’Académie de Clermont Ferrand must be submitted to SCDE in December by each participating district’s Human Resource officer. The Académie must be notified in sufficient time to announce the positions and request applications. Stateside, each district’s Human Resource staff and/or principal will be able to review resumes, view a Webcam interview (if available), and conduct telephone interviews. A Teacher Request Form must be submitted no later than December to allow time for teacher selections and completion of visa, travel, and other arrangements.
India – A request must be submitted to SCDE in January by each participating district’s Human Resource officer for math, science, and special education teachers. Interviews are conducted in India during the latter part of February and/or the beginning of March. The Indian government will host on-site interviews for those district personnel who request 10 or more teachers. Stateside, each district’s human resource staff and/or principal will also be able to review resumes and view videos of candidates. Access to videos on line will be provided as requested.
In addition, the SCDE will work with the Teachers Placement Group, (representatives of the government of India), to provide extensive assistance to the teacher through orientation and administrative assistance. Help will be provided to assist Indian teachers as they settle into each South Carolina community. Ongoing support will be provided to ensure a successful and positive experience for both the students and the educator.
Spain – To request teachers from Spain, contact the Visiting International Faculty (VIF) in Camden, South Carolina, at 803-432-2345.
Taiwan – A request for teachers must be submitted to the SCDE in December. The Taiwan Ministry of Education must be notified in sufficient time to announce the positions and request applications from their teachers. Stateside, each district’s Human Resource staff and/or principal will be able to review resumes, view a Webcam interview (if available), and conduct telephone interviews. A Teacher Request Form must be submitted no later than December to allow time for teacher selections and completion of visa, travel, and other arrangements.
Participating School Districts will:
- provide a contact person to discuss personnel issues during the selection process;
- provide an administrative liaison for the teacher;
- provide a mentor for the teacher at the same school (this mentor is key to the success of the program and will assist the teacher in settling into the school routine, classroom support, information on necessary paperwork, and in general, help to overcome the culture adaptation);
- provide additional support to ensure a successful and a positive experience for both the school and the teacher.
If you are interested in placing a foreign teacher from one of the countries listed above, please contact:
Jess Torres, Responsible Officer
International Visiting Teachers Program
Office of Educator Preparation, Support, and Assessment
Landmark Building II, Suite 500
3700 Forest Drive
Columbia, South Carolina 29204
Tel 803-734-8538