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In order to become a teacher in the United States, you will likely need to undergo a background check. This will involve providing your personal information, such as your Social Security number, to a third party that will run a check on your criminal and civil history. If you have any convictions on your record, you may be ineligible for a teaching job. However, you may be able to appeal this decision or provide mitigating circumstances to explain the conviction. Read on if you want to know what specific background checks are done for teachers.
What background checks are done for teachers?
If your goal is to be a high-level educator in a variety of settings, it’s essential that you present yourself in the best possible light. Beyond being able to impress them on a personal level, you’ll also need the right academic credentials.
Completing a curriculum and instruction masters online qualify you to teach in public, private, parochial, magnet, and charter schools. Outside the classroom, you could also pursue work as a curriculum design manager, education specialist, textbook company, or government organization. Many jobs in education will require that you are given a background check.
Teacher background checks are usually conducted by state and federal agencies. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducts national background checks on all prospective teachers, while state agencies conduct state-level background checks. These background checks typically include a review of the individual’s criminal history, driving record, and credit history. In addition, some states also require individuals to pass a child abuse and neglect check. This information can then be used to help ensure that students are safe in the classroom.
If you have a criminal history, it’s always better to disclose it to your job rather than have an investigator show your prospective employer your criminal record via a website like Busted Mugshots, which aggregates online arrest records from police departments all over the United States. It is crucial to note that not all convictions will automatically disqualify an individual from becoming a teacher. School districts will consider the nature of the conviction, the age of the individual at the time of the conviction, and how much time has passed since the conviction occurred.
Why is having a clean background check important for educators?
High standards for teachers exist due to the complexity of the work and their importance to society. Teachers are entrusted with shaping the minds of the next generation, which is a responsibility that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Another reason for background checks is to ensure that educators are qualified for the positions they hold. A background check can reveal any past criminal convictions or disciplinary actions that may have been taken against an educator. This information can help to ensure that only qualified individuals are working with our children in our schools.
However, having a prior arrest won’t necessarily prevent you from getting a job as a teacher. What matters is that you demonstrate how you’ve grown, what you learned, and why you’re a good role model for students now. Many people who were formerly incarcerated or arrested have gone on to become incredible educators. You should also refrain from assuming that anyone with a criminal record was guilty, the data tell us that innocent people are arrested every day.
When you are preparing to apply for a teaching job, you may be asked to provide a background check. This check will include a variety of information, including your criminal history. If you have any criminal convictions, you will need to disclose this information to your potential employer. If you are unsure whether your conviction will disqualify you from teaching, you can contact your state’s Department of Education. They will be able to provide you with more information about the specific guidelines that are used to determine eligibility, as they are written at the state level.
