PPS is a sponsor of an Exchange Visitor Program. The purpose of the Exchange Visitor program is to provide International Teachers with opportunities to participate in education and cultural programs in the United States. Participating teachers are placed in a K-12 host school for 1-3 years and teach a wide range of subjects with a possibility of a 2-year extension. (PPS) Peoria Public Schools is a public school district in central Illinois. Peoria is progressive and caring community with a revitalized urban riverfront. With nearly 109,000 residents, Peoria’s increasing cultural diversity makes it a prime location for an Exchange Visitor Program. Some highlights of Peoria include its Fine Arts Galleries, Museums, Festivals, Specialty Boutiques, Symphony, Ballet, and Theatre.

Our Goal: Our goal is to expose International Teachers to the Mid-Western United States and all that Peoria, Illinois has to offer. Our goal is also to expose the students of PPS to the unique cultural experiences of highly trained International Cultural Exchange Teachers.

Our International Teacher Program: Through partnerships with our recruiting consultants, PPS recruits, screens, sponsors, and employs teachers on a J-1 visa for 3 academic years. Exchange Teachers apply, take an English proficiency test if needed, and interview with district officials and principals to participate.

Benefits for Teachers

• Our teachers are entitled to salary schedule placement.

• Teaching positions, including duties, responsibilities, hours of employment, and compensation, are commensurate with those of similarly-situated U.S. teachers.

• Host culture activities in their PPS schools and enable partnerships with schools in their home country.

• Promote the interchange of U.S. and international teachers.

Benefits for Foreign Governments

• Provide international professional development opportunities for educators.

• Build relationships with American administrators and communities of expatriates.

• Potential for post-to-post exchanges

Current Partner Countries:

• Abuja

• Anguilla

• Bahamas

• Belize

• Cameroon

• Dominican Republic

• Ethiopia

• Ghana

• Guyana

• Jamaica

• Japan

• Mexico

• Nigeria

• Philippines

• Thailand

• And Expanding!

More information about the J-1 visa issued through the United States government, including eligibility criteria, can be found on the J-1 visa website maintained by the US Department of State.

PARTNERSHIPS

Peoria Public Schools partners with We Dare To Teach (WDTT) for recruitment purposes. For more information, please visit their website: https://wedaretoteach.org/

A completed application includes the following:

• Online Application

• Signed PPS Terms and Conditions.

• Payment of the Application Fee.

• Successful English proficiency interview.

• Submission of formal application and all required documents.

FEES -  US Mainland Districts

It is expected that no unreasonable hardship is to be placed on the Exchange Visitor and fees. There are several non-refundable fees associated with each step of the application process and other fees that are specific to each applicant which WDTT and school districts cannot control. See below for the full list of program pricing and services provided.

PROGRAM FEES

Additional Expenditures include the following:

• Airfare to and from the U.S.

• Transportation after airport pick up

• Meals

• etc.

Expected Work-Related Salary Deductions

Your salary is subject to Federal and State income taxes as well as Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) deductions.

Work-Related Bi-Weekly Deductions (Single Employee):

• Federal Income Tax and State Income Tax is approximately 15% of salary

• Union dues (optional): $29.61

• FICA Deductions (this is charged after two calendar years): 7.65% of salary

• District’s Insurance Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision after 90 days) through school district – $52.71 - $227.72 Bi-Weekly, dependent upon plan you choose and if family members are included). 

Other Estimated Monthly Expenses

These estimated expenses are an example of the costs that Exchange Visitors may incur. Note: Costs may vary.

• Estimate Food Costs – $250-$350

• Estimated Housing Costs – $750-$1,300 for 2-bedroom apartment rental + $250-$400 utilities

• Estimated Local Transportation Costs – $40 for monthly bus pass (Most commonly used)

• Phone & Internet – $100 - $200 

• Childcare Costs: Average 900/month

• Peoria Public Schools Pre-K-12 program: FREE (Teachers can enroll their children at PPS)

Transportation Options:

• Public Transportation - CityLink Bus - https://www.ridecitylink.org/

• Uber - www.uber.com

• Car Pool - Network with your fellow teaching staff.

Additional information on available insurance plans can be found on PPS website:

Employee Insurance page

*PPS will include emergency medical evacuation and repatriation insurance, at no cost to the participant, and exceeds the levels required of the Department of State for the full program length.   

After Arrival in the United States: There are no refunds or credits of any fees made by partner or participant once the participant has arrived in the United States. Any exceptions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Prior to Arrival in the United States: The Program Fee deposit of $1,000 will be forfeited if the candidate leaves the program after the DS-2019 is issued and/or if visa is denied.

Peoria Public Schools J1 Visa Program recruitment begins in September of each year. Please submit your information via the form submission provided here. Once you have submitted your information, please await an email from Peoria Public Schools with further instructions for next steps. Most all hiring for the next school year is completed by March. If applications come in after March, they will be considered for the next school year unless there is an extreme need for additional teachers, or you may be considered for Host School Placement.

https://forms.office.com/r/cmdV7J5JmL

To speed up your process, it is best to request your official transcripts from your college(s) and send them to an approved Course-By-Course Evaluator (SPANTRAN, Josef Silny, World Education Services). This part of the process usually takes the most time, so it is best to get a head start on it to accelerate your program process. Once hired, the J1 Visa process can take anywhere from 6-9 months but can be completed as early as 3 months if acceleration is needed based on program need.

Peoria Public Schools also has a Host School Program. You may be selected to teach at one of our many host schools that work with Peoria Public Schools to boost their schools' multicultural experiences and help increase qualified and diverse staffing in their schools. If you are interested in becoming a host school, please fill out the form below for more information.

  https://forms.office.com/r/dETwuey8PV

Contact:

BreAija Bryant

J1 Teacher Program Manager

309-672-6512

breaija.bryant@psd150.org

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