Job Discussion Forums

[Voyeur]

Apparently the College Board only recommends that you have a degree in the relevant field and be state-licensed teacher (or foreign equivalent).

Is it thus possible to get AP certification without these formal qualifications? If so, by whom? Which AP certification programs would make you an attractive AP teacher in China? And are any of them available via distance learning or on Chinese campuses of foreign universities? And finally, if you had said AP cert, but were not a licensed teacher, would it actually help you? (Traditionally good international schools want licensed teachers, even for (or especially for) AP classes, and most good AP programs at other locations also seem to want licensed teachers.)

I've done some of my own research, but am still a bit confused. Any guidance or tips would be appreciated.

[jm21]

It looks like a continuing education course for teachers to beef up their resume with. It's hard to imagine schools that are able to require teaching certs would be fooled by something like that. Any certified teacher can teach AP classes in everywhere I know. It's a lot more important to have an advanced degree in the subject area. A teacher only needs to do a workshop to teach AP classes, to learn how the system and testing work.

I suspect the college board allows non-certified teachers to take such classes mostly to make some extra money. They do have a reputation for trying to milk as much money as they can out of everything they do.

[Voyeur]

No doubt one couldn't fool a real International school into accepting you with just an AP cert. But there seems to be a rising market for AP classes in China at locations that aren't real international schools: foundation programs, international programs at Chinese high schools, and 'international schools in name only' institutions. If these certs can be acquired relatively easily, it might be worth it for non-licensed folk. Just pondering.

[jm21]

I will float some applications out for midyear hires and see if maybe an advanced degree is enough.

I could definitely see AP certified being enough for some Chinese schools or at least a big boost, but it seems almost fraudulent to me to represent that you are certified to teach AP high school classes in the US when you can't even teach PE. There are some pretty good salaries out there though so I can understand.

[Voyeur]

Would never dream of being fraudulent on that scale. I'd just say I have the AP cert; I'd never say I was a licensed teacher. That would be wrong--and stupid. You'd get caught eventually.

[jm21]

So let's say I do this AP certification. I go up to a Chinese person who actually has some idea that AP classes are advanced high school classes in America.

I tell them I'm a teacher who is AP certified. All true.

I would suspect the vast majority of said Chinese people would think you had the ability to teach AP classes in America. Probably nigh on 100%. Unless you went out of your way to mention you were not a certified teacher I can't think of many ways to sell it without a major lie of omission.

Now let's say you are very honest and tell the employer you are not certified to teach, but just have an AP cert. They say fine, that's good enough for us. Do you think the school will be as honest with the parents or students? My experience so far leads me to think the school would highlight the fact that they have teachers certified to teach AP courses in America. They might not even understand the difference anyways.

I don't think I've seen any ads asking for this AP cert anyways. Usually asking for degrees in the subject area and sometimes x years of teaching AP. Most of the jobs are for math and science majors though which I am not. I bet my brother could make bank here with his unused fisheries and wildlife degree. I think he would go crazy with so few hours working and no friends here though.