Education Office Embassy of Spain in the US - Consulate General of Spain in SF School districts/Charter schools Informational Session Visiting Teachers Program

Based on Memorandum of Understanding, which enables teachers from Spain to teach in CA school districts on a J-1 cultural exchange visa for 1 to 3 years. The program Started in California in 1986 Visiting Teachers Program

- More than 2000 teachers have participated in 26 years - 72 teachers began in Over 240 teachers from Spain in California - Agreement of Collaboration with more than 50 school districts and charter schools in 26 years.

School year American teachers and 2700 teacher aides in Spain 300 Spanish teachers were hired by districts in 18 States

For the US : o The presence of the teachers fosters knowledge and appreciation of similarities and differences o It addresses problems associated with the availability of qualified and certified Spanish-speaking teachers o It provides communities with a diverse atmosphere o It brings qualified and extraordinary teachers to the education and lives of the students o It promotes cultural links between California and Spain Why participate in the program?

For Spain: Teachers learn about different and good teaching practices in Californian schools It provides a variety of tools for future teaching work It improves teaching practice in a multicultural context Teachers acquire a more profound knowledge of American culture Teachers transfer this knowledge to the Spanish school community

Candidates: -Fully certified k-12 teachers - Proficient in English -All have a BA, and most of them have MA -They have at least 3 years of teaching experience -Strongly interested in international education and new pedagogical opportunities

Teaching subjects: Spanish as a Foreign Language Immersion programs Alternative bilingual programs Other subjects (Math, Science, Music, etc.) From kingerdarten to grade 12

District’s Responsibilities: Logistics support upon teachers’ arrival School mentoring and orientation Professional development opportunities Work along with the Responsible Officer and the Education Advisors towards the success of the program

Teacher’s Responsibilities: As full-time teachers, they are expected to fulfill the same requirements as the rest of staff: Work regular teaching days Elaborate their lesson plans and all other documents required by their Administrators Collaborate actively in their Departments and Schools on any initiative Teach and behave according to the rigor and standards expected

Ministry of Education: Covers travel, food, and lodging costs for CDE staff to test and screen Spanish teachers, and for the selected school districts to interview and offer teaching contracts in Madrid Teachers: Pay for their housing, health, medical evacuation and repatriation insurances, own travel, US Embassy fees for visas School Districts: Pay the teacher’s salary and benefits according to their teaching experience and university hours s Funding

Challenges for Visiting Teachers - It may take some time for visiting teachers to adjust to the new school system -Visiting teachers need support with classroom management strategies -Meeting credentialing requirements by exams for a short stay in California

Kindergarten through twelfth grade students are reaping the benefits of the partnership with Spain

December, 2012:  Yearly national call to recruit candidates January to March, 2013 :  The ministry and CDE make an initial selection of candidates - Revision of required documents in Madrid - Pre-selection of candidates in California Selection Process Calendar

April, 2013 (in Madrid):  1 st week.- Responsible Officer from CDE: Mini CBEST & Oral interview  2nd week District/School charter representatives travel to Madrid to run the interviews  Brief information session in Madrid for selected teachers

April/June, 2013:  The selected Spanish teachers sign the contract with each school district/charter school  Three-day Seminar in Madrid paid by the Ministry.  Orientation in California  District support July, 2013

Upon arrival: Meeting about details of the process All the interviews take place at the hotel Start at 10:00 – Finish at 5:00 Monday through Friday The interviewing teams determine the duration and structure of each interview Every day representatives will receive the list and resumés of candidates to be interviewed the following day Candidate may provide other type of documentation they regard relevant Interviews

Dates: January 31, 2013: Information sheet February 26, 2013: Agreement of Collaboration April 2013: Interviews in Madrid July 2013: Orientation for selected teachers in Madrid and California

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CDE Ms Edda Caraballo Responsible Officer Ministry of Education Ms Rosario Outes Jiménez Education Advisor in Los Angeles Ms Josefa Salvador Hernández Education Advisor in San Francisco us