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upnorthkyosa
6th May 2007, 03:23 AM
Both my wife and I got our NZQA assessment back and we got both got some good news and bad news.

Starting with the good news...

Our bachelor degrees were recognized and our Masters degrees were recognized. According this this site (http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/workandlivepermanently/LinkAdministration/ToolboxLinks/longtermskillshortagelist.htm?level=5), this puts us automatically long term skill shortage list. We are both secondary teachers, so we were already there, but I think this gives us another step up.

The bad news is twofold.

My wife's Bachelors degree was recognized, but was unspecified. The way they do Special Education in NZ is that you get a regular teaching qualification first and then you go back to school and get a special education qualification. In the US, at some universities for some states, you can get a regular bachelors degree in Special Education. I'm not exactly sure what this will mean for her ability to teach, but I think its probably a good possibility that she will probably have to go to school once we get there.

I don't know what else we can do about this. Any advice?

For myself, my bachelors degree was honored and it was shown that I had specialized in biology, comprehensive general sciences, and earth sciences. It also gave me the ability to teach at the secondary level. The assessment did not recognize my ability to teach physics in New Zealand. I went back to school and took classes so that I would meet the lisence requirments for the state of MN and I was hoping that NZ would recognize the fact that I am lisenced in MN to teach Physics.

I don't know if I should have this reassessed or how I should proceed to even find out why it was not recognized. This is kind of a big deal because the majority of the jobs that I've seen in the areas that we want to live have physics positions open. Any advice?

upnorthkyosa
7th May 2007, 02:34 PM
Does anyone think that our application to the Teacher's council will change anything? Will they take a look at our experience and try and give us the ability to teach was we really can teach? What will the Teacher's Council really do?

Ana&Steve
7th May 2007, 05:28 PM
Sorry, can't help but to suggest you call NZQA and see if you can find someone there who can a least help a little. For the most part they really want to help you. Good hunting!
Ana

willowshouse
7th May 2007, 05:43 PM
So if I understand you right, your application for PR will be fine (Points wise) but you're worried that you won't be able to do the job you want to .. is that right? Is there not a Teacher's Union or something you can contact to find out what is required to teach your chosen subjects in NZ?

Hope I understood that :confused:

Dawn

upnorthkyosa
7th May 2007, 11:34 PM
So if I understand you right, your application for PR will be fine (Points wise) but you're worried that you won't be able to do the job you want to .. is that right? Is there not a Teacher's Union or something you can contact to find out what is required to teach your chosen subjects in NZ?

Hope I understood that :confused:

Dawn

Yeah, that is pretty much our concern. We think the Teacher's Council in NZ will have something to say about what we can teach, but we are not sure. I'm also not sure how to get my Physics Teaching License recognized in NZ. I'm surprised that they would turn anyone away who can teach that! Out of all of the secondary positions in any of the schools, that has always been the hardest to fill.

Tentun
8th May 2007, 12:58 AM
Definitely contact the Teachers Council. It is my understanding that once you get the result back from NZQA you have to apply for Teacher Registration with the Teachers Council. The NZQA assessment is not binding and the Teachers Council have the final say as to what you can and can't teach. For qualifications and situations that are slightly different to the normal NZ way of doing things are often considered on a case by case basis so I would suggest that your best bet would be to get in touch with them and see what they say.

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