International Teacher Recruitment Timelines and Country Guidelines

Timelines:

1. November: Information about the program is disseminated to participating school district's Human Resource officers regarding placement of teachers for the following school year.
2. December: School district's Human Resource officers notify the SCDE of teacher requests and discuss selection requirements. Submit Teacher Request Form (The request form is available to district personnel via the CPS web application) to indicate teachers that are needed.
3. January: Staff at the SCDE discuss the teacher request with school district staff.
4. 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).
5. 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. Information about other private providers that recruit teachers from Spain can be found on our Private Programs page.