Participate Learning is an organization with more than 36 years of experience promoting cultural exchange by inviting teachers from around the world to work in primary schools in the United States. The 2024-2025 recruitment season has officially started, giving Belizean teachers the opportunity to experience teaching in North America.
So far, 25 Belizean teachers have participated in the program.
“The selected teachers will share the culture of their home country as they teach in North Carolina, South Carolina or Virginia. They will receive a salary in dollars equivalent to that of an educator in the United States, medical coverage, airfare, support in the visa process and orientation during their period of residence. The program even includes the option to travel with their spouse and children under 18 years of age,” said Ronald Ramirez, Participate Learning’s International Recruitment Manager for Latin America.
The program accepts qualified applicants of all ages. Historically, 80% of the teachers who have participated in this cultural exchange program are between 25 and 50 years of age.
Fast and user-friendly application process
To apply to this cultural exchange program, it is necessary to have an university degree in education equivalent to a 4 year degree in the U.S., and at least two years of full-time teaching experience after the graduation date. In addition, the teacher must be currently working and be available to reside in the United States for a minimum of 2 years up to a maximum of 5 consecutive years. Other basic requirements include having a valid driver’s license and having completed the COVID-19 vaccination schedule.
Registration is done online at https://www.participatelearning.com/teach-in-the-usa/.
From the time the application is initiated until the offer of a position is made by the U.S. school district can take about 3 months. Once accepted, then the visa process begins, which can take an additional month. The selected teachers will travel to the United States between June and August 2024.
Since Participate Learning began in 1987, teachers from the Caribbean countries including Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica have experienced teaching in the United States through this initiative, uniting the world through global education while growing as professionals and as individuals. Participants return home with a renewed vision and a greater awareness of the power of teaching.
