Overview
The Teach USA program connects enthusiastic, highly qualified international teachers with U.S. primary and secondary schools to promote cultural understanding and public diplomacy.
Our primary goal is to facilitate an exceptional professional exchange program for teachers from all around the world to share their knowledge and experience in the U.S.
Through travel and cultural exchange, we help individuals reach their full potential, leading to a more tolerant, peaceful and environmentally sustainable world.
Schools must apply before June 1, 2025 to host teachers for the 2025-26 academic year.
Please see our Program Deadline section for more information.
Our Program
The purpose of the Teach USA program is to promote interaction and enhance mutual understanding between U.S. and international teachers. Participating teachers are placed in an accredited K-12 school (that meets or exceeds state standards) for up to 3 years and teach a wide range of subjects. During this program teachers can expect to sharpen their professional skills and take part in cross-cultural activities within their schools and local communities.
Greenheart Exchange provides two (2) program options:
- Self-placed (SP): placements are arranged directly between the teacher and the school, supplemented by Greenheart Exchange’s sponsorship
- Full program (FP): placements are facilitated by Greenheart Exchange, matching host schools with a qualified, experienced teacher
Eligibility
A host school is an accredited school (public or private), that meets or exceeds state standards, and that is committed to supporting international education and cultural exchange. Host schools do not pay a program fee but are expected to work with Greenheart Exchange as partners with the shared goal of providing our international teachers adequate support before, during, and after the program.
Host schools must be willing to offer teachers full-time (at least 32 hours/week) teaching positions and a salary and benefits equal to that of their American counterparts. Some best practices for host schools include:
- Contacting teachers in advance of their arrival to coordinate arrival logistics and offer housing leads
- Providing an orientation to go over company policies and program expectations
- Involving teachers in any professional development opportunities offered at your school
- Assisting teacher in paying some or all their program fees
- Assisting teacher with state licensing and certification requirements
- Participating in a Going Greenheart Tour as a means of giving back to your community
- Contact Greenheart Exchange with any questions or concerns about the program
Our Teachers
Greenheart Exchange recruits highly qualified teachers from all over the world who teach a variety of subjects, including elementary education, STEM, world languages, and special education.
Participants in the Teach USA program must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Meet the qualifications for teaching at the primary or secondary levels in schools in their country of nationality
- Have a degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree in either Education or the subject area they intend to teach
- Have a minimum of 2 years teaching or related professional experience
- Satisfy the teaching eligibility standards of the U.S. state in which they will teach
- Be of good reputation and character
- Be proficient in English
Check out this short video of school administrators at a Greenheart School describing why they appreciate having international teachers at their school.
Fees
Host schools do not have to pay a fee on the Teach USA Program. The participant is responsible for paying their program and visa fees. However, as a best practice, we do encourage schools to pay for some or all of the participant’s fees if funding is available to do so. Please see our program fee structure here.
Program Timeline
Please apply before June 1, 2025, to host teachers in the 2025-26 academic year.
- New Host Schools notified of approval / submit list of positions needed: October – June
- Participant application period: November – June
- Host School renewal documentation due: February – March
- Hiring period*: January – June
- Participant arrival dates: July – September
*Greenheart Exchange will match schools with qualified international teacher candidates who meet their hiring needs.
Prohibited Placements
In the effort to protect the health, safety, and welfare of Greenheart-sponsored participants, we have made the difficult decision to limit geographical areas we are willing to sponsor placements in. This policy is subject to change at Greenheart’s discretion.
Greenheart Exchange does not permit new* placements in:
- Hawaii
- Alaska
- Las Vegas
- New Mexico
- Baltimore, Maryland
*participants already on program may be permitted to remain in the same host community for the following academic year, on a case-by-case basis.
For more information on states where Greenheart is able to sponsor placement of a J-1 Teacher in, refer to this map (prohibited placements in purple.)
Stories
Hear what Schools have to say about Hosting International Teachers and Students
Assistant Principal
Desert Pines High School
Not only have international teachers filled positions, they are eager to learn and to try new strategies in teaching today’s learners
Our school leans on their expertise in their field and appreciate their different approaches to teaching content.
Principal Freeman
Liberty Elementary
Our international teachers put their hearts into lesson planning and teaching.
They are so thoughtful and well planned. They have reached out to families and to our community. Our parents just want excellence, and our international teachers are pretty amazing.
Kevin Mills
Director of Human Resources – North Platte, NE
Our wonderful international teachers have seamlessly joined the community, found connections, and they are outstanding teachers.
These individuals bring positive attitudes, high respect for all stakeholders, and are the friendliest people I have ever met!
They bring a whole new perspective to American teachers and students.
Emily Willis
Academies of Math and Science, Inc., AZ
Working with Greenheart Exchange for over two years
Greenheart Exchange is one of the best for support. The team is incredibly responsive and welcomes teaching organizations about the J1 and visa processes.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hosting International Teachers
Does the host school have to pay any sort of fee (for a visa, etc.) to hire a teacher?
No. The teacher is responsible for their program and visa fees. However, we do encourage host schools to pay for some or all of the participant’s fees as a best practice if funding is available.
What type of salary does an international teacher earn?
Teachers must earn the same salary, including benefits, as their American counterparts. Greenheart Exchange ensures this during the application process and job offer review. This is also outlined in the Host School Terms & Conditions Agreement.
How does a teacher become certified to teach in my U.S. state and school?
The certification process of international teachers varies state-by-state. Most states require, at minimum, a Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) from a certified credential evaluator that is part of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
We recommend that teachers research and communicate with their host school regarding the state licensing procedure and, upon receiving a job offer, begin the credentialing process as soon as possible. Information on NACES can be found here http://naces.org/.
What types of schools are eligible to host an international teacher (public, charter, private, international)?
All accredited K-12 schools that meet or exceed their state standards are eligible to become host schools, provided they are supportive of international teachers and cultural exchange. An exchange teacher may teach at the pre-kindergarten level only in a language immersion program offered as regular course of study by an accredited primary school.
Can an international teacher bring a spouse or children (dependents) to the U.S.?
Yes. Spouses and children under the age of 21 are eligible for a J-2 Dependent Visa sponsorship from Greenheart Exchange. We recommend that a teacher’s family join them after they’ve arrived at their placement, began teaching, and secured housing. Additionally, J-2 dependent children are allowed to attend school in the U.S. during the length of the international teacher’s program.
How long can international teachers stay in the U.S.?
This Exchange Visitor Program generally allows for teachers to teach in the U.S. for up to 3 years. Teachers in their third year of participation are eligible to apply for a program extension of one to two years if mutually agreed upon with their host school. Sponsors must submit extension requests, and any supporting documentation to support the extension, to the State Department no later than three months prior to the beginning of the desired extension period for the teacher. It’s then required that participants return to their home country for a cumulative period of 2 years to share their experience and knowledge gained in their home country before applying for another J-1 teacher visa.
Does the international teacher program displace American teachers?
This Exchange Visitor Program visa is a professional, cultural exchange visa that, in no way, attempts to displace American teachers. We work with schools that are looking to fill open positions with highly-qualified international teachers. After completion of the program, international teachers are required to return to their home country for a cumulative period of 2 years to share their experience and knowledge gained in their home country before applying for another J-1 teacher visa.
What is the benefit to hiring an international teacher in my school?
The benefits are innumerable. Cultural exchange in schools exposes students and faculty to diverse teaching practices from highly qualified teachers that bring years of experience from different countries. This is a rare, low-cost investment in professional development that will have an immediate impact on students and faculty. This program enables schools to hire international teachers with a specific skill set and to fill open positions the school is looking for (i.e., special education, world languages, and science teachers, etc.).
Do international teachers need to be licensed to teach in the U.S.? If so, what license must they obtain?
Yes. International teachers must be certified to teach in their U.S. state although the nature of their licensure varies state-by-state. Many states offer an alternative licensing pathway for international teachers. To find out more information on state licensing options for international teachers, please contact your state board of education or Greenheart Exchange.
Are international teachers exempt from paying taxes?
No. All participants are required to pay federal, state and local taxes (if applicable) but are usually exempt from FICA (Social Security and Medicare) since they are not future beneficiaries. For tax purposes, international teachers are considered non-resident aliens and must file a tax return. International teachers are often eligible for a refund at the end of the fiscal year.
Visit Sprintax to learn about who must file taxes, residency for tax purposes, implications of filing/not filing correctly, and more.
I have questions /concerns about a current teacher. What should I do?
Please contact Greenheart Exchange right away if you have a question or concern about one of your teachers in country. Our office hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Central Time. During office hours, you can call your Greenheart Exchange contact directly, email us at teachusa@greenheart.org, or call 1-866-684-9675. If it is outside of office hours and an emergency call our EMERGENCY phone at 1-800-392-7288. If this is a medical emergency, please call 911.