Teacher USA

The Adventure

What is Teacher USA

CCUSA’s Teacher USA is designated by the United States Department of State as a BridgeUSA J-1 Visa Teacher Program Sponsor. Teacher USA allows qualified international teachers from around the world to teach full-time in accredited public and private primary and secondary schools (K – 12) in the United States. Exchange Teachers must work at least one full school year and can work for up to three years with the option to extend for an additional two years. Exchange Teachers can expect to enhance their professional development, participate in cross-cultural activities, and encourage learning for all parties.

Teachers in the CCUSA Teacher USA program are allowed to work at K – 12 schools in the following positions: General Education (primary grades); Bilingual Education (English, Spanish, French); Foreign Languages; STEM and Special Education.

During the academic year, teachers will be required to share their culture by participating in and planning at least two cross-cultural activities a year. Some popular activities include class pen pals, International Day in the classroom, art projects from your home country, and many more. These are exciting activities created to enhance the impact of the program on the teacher, students, and community.

The Details

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Teacher USA program, you must:

Be working as a teacher outside of the U.S. at the time of application OR, if not currently teaching, have or will have received an advanced degree in education or in the subject you intend to teach within 12 months of applying for the program.
Have at least 2 years of full-time teaching experience within the past eight years.
Be fluent in the English language (You will be required to take the TOEFL exam as part of the application process).
Meet the qualifications for teaching at the primary and/or secondary levels in schools in your home country.
Meet the eligibility requirements of the U.S. state in which you will teach and will include a required criminal background check.
Be available for at least 1 full academic year (August – June).
Be able to provide 2 professional references.
Have a good reputation and outstanding character.

Program Options

Teacher USA has two program options to choose from:

Independent

The exchange Teacher is responsible for finding their own placement with an approved and accredited host school.

Placement

Teacher USA will match the exchange Teacher to one of our approved and accredited host schools.

CCUSA Benefits

The benefits of going with CCUSA are endless, but here are just a few highlights.

Visa Sponsorship

Worldwide Travel Insurance

Coverage for the first 60 days, before your Host School’s insurance starts.

Emergency Assistance

24-hour emergency assistance while in the USA.

Pre-departure Orientation with CCUSA

Arrival Orientation with CCUSA

Salary and Benefits

Earn the same salary and receive the same benefits as U.S. teachers.

Live and work in the USA as a Teacher for 1 to 5 years

Family Visas

Ability to bring your spouse and/or children as BridgeUSA J-2 dependents. CCUSA will assist you with the paperwork and visa sponsorship.

30-Day Grace Period to Travel

30-Day grace period to travel within the US after you complete your teacher contract.

Gain knowledge and new methodologies

Program Fees and Expenses

Program Fees

Registration Fee $50
Application Fee $350
Acceptance Fee - Placement Option $2,500

(First Year)
Acceptance Fee - Independent Option $1,500

(First Year)
Program Renewal Fee $1,100

(Annual fee due in June of each program year)

Insurance Fee – Economy

60 days of comprehensive + 1 year of repatriation coverage included in program fees for the first year. One year of repatriation coverage is included in renewal fees for years 2 – 5.

Fees Include:

Application processing
Application screening
Interview
CV/Resume assistance
Job placement at an accredited U.S. Host School (placement program only)
Host School vetting and application processing
DS-2019
Visa sponsorship
Assistance with Embassy appointment
Pre-departure Orientation
Welcome Orientation upon arrival in the USA
SEVIS check-in and regular compliance review
Medical insurance coverage for the first 90 days
Repatriation/Evacuation Coverage for 1 year
Access to Teacher USA Footprints portal for documents, instructions and support
24/7 emergency support while in the U.S.
Assistance with TWO required Cross-cultural activities
Review of required participant Cultural Activity Annual Report
Administrative costs

Supplemental Costs

Additional Fees

The following fees are not included in your program fees and set by independent bodies.

SEVIS Fee: $220 USD
SEVIS Extension Fee: $367 (Fee paid directly to the U.S. Department of State and subject to change)
Consulate Visa Interview Fee: $185
Foreign Credential Evaluation Fee: $200 – $400 (the exact amount depends on the number of transcripts being evaluated)
Annual State Teacher Certification: $100 – $250 (Exact fee depends on state)
Teacher Certification Renewal Exam – $100 – $200 (Depends on state)
Criminal Background Check: $40 – $200 (Exact fee depends on school, state and background check agency)
TOEFL Test (if applicable): $190
J-2 Dependent Application Fee: $650 (only if applicable)
Medical Insurance Upgrade: $1.10/per day

Expenses to Consider

Airfare (international and domestic) to and from the U.S.
Housing: $1000 – $2500 per month
Transportation (public): $40 – $60 per month
Car: $1000 – $50,000
Car Insurance: $100 – $250 per month
Car Gas and Maintenance: $100 – $500 per month
Food: $600 – $900 per month
Childcare: $1000 – $4000 per month
Utilities (Gas, electricity, water): $150 – $600 per month
Phone: $50 – $250 per month
Internet: $50 – $150 per month
Leisure (Entertainment, vacation, etc): $100 – $400/per month
Personal: $100 – $1000 per month

*All expenses are dependent on the state and area you will be living

**Your Host School will provide a more accurate personal Budget Calculator 30 days prior to arrival. This will list expenses based on your school and the area you will be living.

Paycheck Withholdings and Taxes

Every employee in the U.S. is subject to Federal, State, and FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act – payroll tax) withholdings. The amount of withholdings depends on your salary, dependents, state, and marital status. We encourage ALL of our teachers to use our CCUSA Tax Service as an option for filing taxes. We encourage our teachers to check the IRS website for the most up-to-date tax information. Many teachers will also hire professional tax preparers to help them stay current on the latest tax laws so they pay the least amount of taxes possible each year. We are not licensed tax specialists and therefore cannot give tax advice.

Approximate Tax Deductions

You will notice these deductions from your paycheck:

Federal Tax Deductions: 10% – 30% (depends on salary)
State Income Tax: 10% – 13% (depends on salary and state)
FICA: Depends on total earnings for the year. Rate is 7.65% of total earnings.

Other Deductions (depends on your personal choices, school and family status)

Union Dues: If your school is part of a union, you might need to contribute dues. 1% – 3% per paycheck
Health Insurance: Host school health insurance premiums might be deducted from your paycheck and could range from $25 – $200 depending on the health plan chosen.
J2 Insurance: Only applies if you have your dependents in the US with you and enrolled in your school’s insurance
Life Insurance: Contributions made to a Life Insurance Policy, which is your choice
401k/Retirement Plan: Contributions made to a retirement plan, which is your choice and could range from 1% – 5%

Applying

The Application Process

Complete an Online Application

First check if you are eligible for the Teacher USA program (see above).

Start by completing your online application and pay your registration fee. This will begin your application for the next full U.S. school year.

Apply NOW!

Interview

You will be contacted by a Teacher USA Coordinator to schedule an interview. Our interviews are typically 45 – 60 minutes. You will be asked a series of questions related to your education, teaching experience, and goals. The Interviewer will complete an “Interviewers Report Form” highlighting your skills and work experience.

Complete Your Application

If accepted to the program, you will be required to complete and/or submit the following:

Program Fee
Photo
2 Letters of Reference
60-second Video
Diploma/Teaching Credentials
Foreign Credential Evaluation
TOEFL Test Score
Health History Form
Police Background Check
Job Offer (Independent Program only)

Visa

Teacher USA is a BridgeUSA J-1 Visa program and requires a signed DS2019 from CCUSA, as your program sponsor to enter the United States.

To obtain your visa, once accepted to the program and all fees are paid, CCUSA will issue you your DS2019 Form electronically. You will be required to take your DS2019 Form with you and go in person to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in your home country for a Visa Interview.

Once your visa is granted, you will be allowed to enter the United States on the Teacher USA program.

CCUSA does not work with third-party agencies.

Application Timeline

September

Applications Open