UndocuTeacher Resource Center

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Overview

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Welcome
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UndocuTeacher Guide
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FAQs
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Resources & Events
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Support Team
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Welcome

This is a space…

By us, for us.
To explore topics impacting UndocuTeachers.
To allow for complexity.
To recognize fluidity.

If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together. -Lilla Watson

This resource has been co-developed in collaboration with various staff members across NSC who have experienced being undocumented first-hand and understand the unique challenges undocumented and DACAmented students experience in higher education and in the teaching profession. It is intended to help bridge the gaps that currently exist to making the teaching profession accessible & equitable for ALL undocumented immigrant communities. It is based on the work started by Jahahi Mazariego, who created the Undocumented Student Guide for Student Teaching Practicum for Northern Nevada students.

This is dedicated to the aspiring educators whose immigration status has been made a barrier by larger systems. In addressing these processes here, we hope to stream-line the process for licensure and increase the accessibility of the teaching profession to all communities, particularly undocumented immigrant students who are committed to serving the places they call home.

¡Pa'lante!

UNDOCUTEACHER LICENSURE GUIDE

Access UndocuTeacher Guide 2022

Frequently Asked Questions

Can undocumented students get a teaching license?

YES! According to AB 275 (Links to an external site.), which was signed into law in 2019, individuals who are undocumented are eligible for a teaching license. Professional licensing boards are not allowed to deny individuals a license based on their immigration status.

Undocumented educators can use an ITIN in place of a social security number for their teaching license.

You can read about AB 275 here: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/80th2019/Bill/6498/Overview

You can also check out this news article: https://www.nevadacurrent.com/2019/03/28/bill-would-allow-undocumented-immigrants-to-obtain-professional-licenses/

What should I know about the background check process?

A criminal history background review is part of the licensure process whenever an educator or prospective educator applies to obtain or renew a license in the state of Nevada. This background check is mandated by Nevada law. When you submit fingerprints to the Department of Education for background processing, they are sent to the Nevada Department of Public Safety and the FBI, both of which will run your prints and send a criminal history report to the Nevada Department of Education. The background check process is intended to disqualify individuals who have offenses on their record related to moral turpitude. According to AB 275, professional licensing boards cannot deny someone a license based on their immigration status.

Just like with applying for DACA or a drivers license, the licensure process presents similar risks for undocumented immigrants and is a decision that should be carefully considered by the individual on whether or not to pursue licensure. In general, background checks are low risk. However, anyone with prior non-traffic criminal convictions (including DUI) or prior cases in Immigration Court (even as a child) should get legal advice (M. Kagan, 2022).

The background check process may take up to eight weeks or more, depending on delays.

You will receive emailed instructions to get fingerprinted upon payment and completion of your application to the email you have on file with your OPAL account profile.

According to NV DOE "criminal history reports are confidential and will not be shared with any individual or other agency unless an applicant gives the Office of Educator Licensure written permission to do so using the Authorization for Release of Personal Information form ."

For more information go to:

https://doe.nv.gov/Educator_Licensure/Background-Process/

How do I register for the Praxis?

When you register for the Praxis exam on the ETS website, if you do not have a social security number, you are not required to include one. You can leave this box blank. If you do have a social security number, you are required to disclose it in your registration.

Access step by step instructions here.

How do I get an ITIN?

Students without a social security number will be required to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to apply for most Nevada professional licensing.

An ITIN, or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, is a tax processing number only available for certain nonresident and resident immigrants, their spouses, and dependents who cannot get a Social Security Number (SSN). It is a 9-digit number, beginning with the number “9”, formatted like an SSN (NNN-NN-NNNN).

It is recommended that students start this process early as the issuing of an ITIN through the IRS can take up to 11 weeks in certain cases.

Tax Payer Assistance Center

www.irs.gov/help/contact-my-local-office-in-nevada

H&R Block

You can apply for an ITIN through H&R Block:

https://www.hrblock.com/tax-offices/tax-prep/itin-application.html

What are the ID Requirements for the exams?

At-Home Testing: Undocumented students can use their Nevada Driver's License for at-home testing which is ETS' recommended testing modality for undocumented students. Exams are proctored by ProctorU. ProctorU should not ask you about your citizenship or immigration status, they only require that you use a government issued ID, such as a Nevada Driver's License.

In-Person Testing: For in-person testing, undocumented students can use their NV Driver's license and passport or request a letter from ETS to use an alternative form of identification (i.e. DACA card, consular ID, etc).

If you are denied entry due to ID requirements, immediately call ETS' Identification Department: (609)406-5444.

To request a letter, complete the following steps:

Create a profile on ETS (Links to an external site.).
Schedule an exam 2-3 weeks in the future.
Email your name, mention your request for approval to use an alternative ID, your phone number, and attach a copy of your alternative ID to Andrew Santiago at asantiago@ets.org. He is the Test Security Specialist at ETS who drafts up the pre-approval letters.
They will draft a letter on your behalf giving approval for your alternative ID & will communicate with your testing center.

Are there exam fee waivers available for undocumented students?

There are Praxis waivers available for students in need. Complete the following Praxis Fee Waiver Request and send it to Irene Cepeda (irene.cepeda@nsc.edu) and Janet Perez (janet.perez@nsc.edu) via email to request a fee waiver through the HSI grant in the School of Education. You can also access fee waivers through ETS: https://www.ets.org/praxis/about/fees/fee_waivers/

What careers are available for undocumented students?

DACAmented educators with a valid teaching license and work permit are eligible to apply for employment in local districts and charter schools.

If you do not have DACA, there are alternative pathways for using your education degree as an independent contractor, including starting your own education business, such as a child care center, tutoring business, consulting company, teaching online, etc. Immigration status is fluid, and additional opportunities may become available in the future. For more information about independent contracting, check out Immigrants Rising' Guide

Download Immigrants Rising' GuidWe also encourage you to reach out to NSC's Undocumented Resources Manager, Mariana Sarmiento (mariana.sarmiento@nsc.edu) to learn about career pathways for undocumented educators.

Are accommodations available for the exams?

ETS offers accommodations for students with Disabilities and students whose primary language is not English (PLNE). Accommodations take up to at least 3-12 weeks to approve and students must request accommodations prior to registering for their exam.

Disability Accommodations: https://www.ets.org/praxis/register/disabilities/ (Links to an external site.)

To request Disability Accommodations, register with the NSC Disability Resource Center. They can offer personalized support and fill out portions of the paperwork for you.

Primary Language is Not English (PLNE):https://www.ets.org/praxis/register/plne_accommodations/

Resources

OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNDOCUTEACHERS

Scorpion Intern Funding Program

TDUS Internship Funding Program- TheDream.US, in partnership with Nevada State College, will provide internship funds for Scholars with and without work authorization. These internships will enable TheDream.US Scholars to gain and demonstrate skills, explore career paths, and build their networks, as they are mentored by their Host Organization. Applications for Spring 2023 will open in January 2023.

Ignite Fellowship- Make an immediate impact by leading small group virtual learning experiences for students with the support of a veteran educator. As an Ignite Fellow, you’ll build meaningful relationships with youth, accelerate student learning, and gain skills that propel forward your own leadership.Open to undergraduate or graduate students of all majors with an ITIN or SSN. Deadline is Dec. 18, 2022.

TFA Corps Member Program- Teach For America offers a two-year full-time teaching job, where you’ll have access to a range of training, support, and leadership development opportunities to leverage the experience you already have. Open to grads with a bachelor's degree by the first day of summer training and valid work authorization.

ON-CAMPUS RESOURCES

NSC Undocumented Student Program

NSC Dreamer's Club

NATIONAL RESOURCES

TheDream.US

Immigrants Rising

Spark by Immigrant's Rising

UndocuProfessionals Network

Upcoming Events

Register Here

Support Team


Marcela Rodriguez-Campo, PhD Director, Office of Community, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion marcela.rodriguez-campo@nsc.edu DAW-133	Mariana Sarmiento, MSW Manager, Undocumented Student Program mariana.sarmiento@nsc.edu (702)992-2395 RSC-364	Esmeralda Carretero-Rodriguez, MA Teacher Academy Site Coordinator esmeralda.carretero@nsc.edu (702)992-2543 CEB 284
Marcela is an immigration & education scholar & educator focused on Latinx immigrant student's experiences. She is originally from Cali, Colombia and is a formerly undocumented immigrant. She is the incoming Director of Community, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion at Nevada State College.	Mariana is a current DACA recipient and Manager of Undocumented Programs at the NSC Office of Community, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. She is passionate about increasing access to education for undocumented folk in Nevada.	Esmeralda is a current DACA recipient and is a site coordinator for the Teacher Academy Pipeline Project, supporting high school students pursuing their teacher aspirations. She is currently a Ph.D. student at UNLV and has extensive knowledge supporting Chicanx/Latinx students along the K-20 pipeline.
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