334-625-8515   100 North Union St. Suite #732 Montgomery, AL 36104

TEACH IN THE U.S. WITH ALIEEP!

We appreciate your interest in the ALIEEP Educator Program!

This program helps to bring qualified and experienced international teachers to the State of Alabama to teach at accredited K-12 schools, particularly in STEM subjects, Special Education, and world languages. They will enhance the ALIEEP mission of multilingual and multicultural diversity education. Additionally, they will gain American teaching experience, enrich students’ performance, and share their proud cultural heritages, as well as the culture of respect in education.

The ALIEEP Education team will assist international teachers in converting their foreign teaching certificates to Alabama’s, place them in partnering local school districts with US visa sponsorships, and support their teaching journey in Alabama.

To learn more about the program, please visit: https://alieep.org/STEAMEducator

Educators who join ALIEEP’s program receive comprehensive support throughout their journey, from application and placement to professional development. Some key benefits include:
✅ Full-time teaching opportunities in accredited U.S. schools
✅ Visa Support to ensure a smooth transition
✅ Cultural exchange experience, allowing teachers to introduce students to global perspectives
✅ Guidance on meeting U.S. teaching standards, including credential evaluations and required certifications
✅ Professional growth in an internationally recognized education system
✅ Networking with other international teachers and U.S. education professionals

With visa processing, international teachers and interns can work legally in the U.S. while gaining valuable experience. This streamlined visa sponsorship ensures that participants can focus on their career development. 

Apply Here

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get qualified?
  • You do NOT need an Alabama Teaching Certificate to be qualified for the ALIEEP STEAM Educator Program. Still, you need your country’s Teacher Certificate issued by your government’s Department of Education, either the country or provincial office of education.
  • ALIEEP will help you convert your credentials to Alabama’s certificate.
  • You need to have at least two years of full-time teaching experience.
  • ALIEEP Academic Team will find the positions, coordinate an interview, and support you to receive a job offer.
  • ALIEEP works with accredited public-school districts throughout the state of Alabama. Therefore, your job offer will be as a state employee position.

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  • ALIEEP facilitates a petition for a work authorization through a special H-1B Cap Exempt category.
  • Ordinarily, a K-12 school district does not have the special privileges to petition under the H-1B Cap Exempt category. However, the ALIEEP is commissioned by the state legislature and the Alabama State Department of Education to facilitate the STEAM Educator Program; we make it happen.
  • Teachers on a J-1 visa may reside in the USA while actively working in accredited Alabama public schools (K-12) for up to 3 years. However, on approval, a maximum of 2 years’ extension may be granted. As a result, a total of 5 years of employment in America. 
  • Teachers on the first H-1 visa may reside in the USA while actively working in the assigned accredited Alabama public schools (K-12) for up to 3 years. After the first three (3) years, if your school decides to retain your employment, we can facilitate another three years of continuous employment and even petition for permanent residency.

Yes, dependents (spouse or children) may accompany the teacher to the USA. We encourage teachers to correctly budget and allocate expenses associated with bringing and supporting family members in the USA. In some instances, J-2 dependent spouses may qualify for a work permit. ALIEEP provides support with the application (Form 1-765) with USCIS. Note: Processing takes 3-5 months. For cost, refer here: //alieep.org/alieep-program-fee-summary-and-refund-policy/ 

  • A position title, job description, salary package, starting date, and more.
  • One must go through the HR Orientation to understand the job offer and benefits.
How long does the program allow me to stay in the USA?
  • Teachers on a J-1 visa may reside in the USA while actively working in accredited Alabama public schools (K-12) for up to 3 years. However, on approval, a maximum of 2 years’ extension may be granted. As a result, a total of 5 years of employment in America. 
  • Teachers on the first H-1 visa may reside in the USA while actively working in the assigned accredited Alabama public schools (K-12) for up to 3 years. After the first three (3) years, if your school decides to retain your employment, we can facilitate another three years of continuous employment and even petition for permanent residency.

ALIEEP and the Host School will not provide housing. However, we provide support in finding comfortable accommodations in safe areas.

ALIEEP provides information about local transportation services, such as Mobile Transit or Birmingham Max Transit. In addition to public transit, international teachers have the option to carpool with coworkers, use rental car services (such as Uber/Lyft), or obtain a driver’s license. To obtain a driver’s license, individuals must complete both a written exam and a road test.   

When using the capital of Alabama as the starting point, the following major cities are listed miles away: 

  • Birmingham, AL, is 84 miles away 
  • Mobile, AL, is 169 miles away 
  • Atlanta, GA, is 147 miles away 
  • Nashville, TN, is 263 miles away 
  • New Orleans, LA is 277 miles away 

Some popular attractions you should visit in Alabama are the following: 

Positions are full-time, with start times varying by school. Performance metrics depend on grade levels, teaching responsibilities, and other factors.

Teachers are needed for all grades, but high school and middle school teachers are in highest demand. Elementary teaching is more challenging for foreign teachers, as it requires teaching multiple subjects, including American & Alabama history, social sciences, and culture.

  • Alabama teaching certificate conversion will raise your pay scale and other benefits. “Equal qualification, Equal pay & benefits” means equal certifications.
  • Not all certificates are the same. Many states provide a dozen certificates within the teaching profession.
  • One needs a Professional Educator Certification starting from Class B or higher in Alabama. Moreover, this classification (Class B or higher) has reciprocity with other states, while the other certificates do not.
What are the salary expectations?
  • our salary is based on your qualifications, which encompass your education, experience, and placement. The following link will provide the minimum salary schedule set by the State Department of Education. However, equal qualifications equal pay. Without the Alabama Teaching Certification, your salary may be lower until you complete the certification.
  • The salary schedule is updated annually. Please verify the most up-to-date schedule at the State Department of Education.

The teacher is responsible for covering the program fees associated with the STEAM Educator Program, except for the initial review, which is provided free of charge. For more information, view our program fee summary acknowledgment form here: https://alieep.org/alieep-program-fee-summary-and-refund-policy/ 

All international teachers are required to pay taxes. The degree of deduction depends on the income bracket and the size of the family (dependents). Some taxes to be mindful of are the following:  

  • Federal Income Tax – 12%-24%  
  • State Income Tax – 0% to 5%  
  • Local Income Tax – 0% to 3%  
  • Medicare/Social Security: 1.45% and 6.5% *after the first two years*  
  • Teacher Retirement System: 0%-10%  
  • Teacher Union Membership: $0 – $575/annually (Optional)
  • You will still pay the ALIEEP Educators’ annual program fee as disclosed earlier.
  • The Alabama Teachers Retirement System is slightly different from the general state employee’s retirement system. The Alabama Teachers Retirement System brags that it is one of the best state retirement systems in the United States.
  • Minimum ten (10) years of service to retire, but the longer you stay, the better it becomes.
  • Health Insurance benefits for oneself and the family. Depending on your length of time, you can have the Health Insurance coverage for you and/or your dependents for their lifetime.
  • Paid Sick days, maternity leave, Family and Medical leave, and other numerous benefits for a state government employee.
  1. Don’t forget that your actual paycheck is after tax deductions. One must pay federal and state taxes. However, depending on locality, you may pay additional taxes, such as county and city taxes.
  2. Other deductions can be the Association fee, the Union fee, etc., if you join the group.

Thank you so much for visiting ALIEEP!

We are so excited that you are here and would like to hear from you!

We look forward hearing from you!

Thanks for taking a leap with ALIEEP! 

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