Things to do in June to keep your teaching career on track

As busy as you are at this time with grades, report cards and other classroom responsibilities, leave time in June to take care of items that could affect your professional and economic future.

Resolve certification problems by June 30 if you are in danger of termination.

About 900 newer teachers who are working with expired certificates received a third Department of Education reminder to resolve certification problems before the end of the school year or risk termination. If you have not yet received a DOE letter saying that your problem has been resolved, contact the Integrated Service Center or the Division of Human Resources at 65 Court St., Brooklyn, to discuss your situation as soon as possible. Also, call the UFT Certification Services Department at 1-212-420-1830 for help.

Meet your maximum requirements.

If you are in your fifth year of teaching and still have not achieved your permanent or professional state certification, you have only until Aug. 31 to meet your “maximum requirements” within the five-year time limit the state allows. Check the New York State Education Department website for the requirements and confirm in June that you will be able to complete all your requirements before your five years are up. If you have questions or problems, call the UFT Certification Services Department at 1-212-420-1830 for a telephone consultation or to make an appointment.

Apply for a time extension.

Teachers who realize they need more time than the five years the state allows to complete all their requirements for permanent or professional state certification must apply for an extension immediately. However, you must have passed the appropriate Content Specialty Test to be eligible for a time extension and applying is no guarantee that you will be granted an extension. You may apply and pay the $50 fee by going to the New York State Education Department website. In your application, you must identify one of the listed reasons for needing an extension and mail in the appropriate supporting documentation.

Fulfill the terms of your past extension.

If you previously received an extension to complete your requirements for permanent or professional certification, you must complete all your remaining requirements and apply for your permanent or professional certificate before that extension expires. You will not receive another extension and are in danger of termination if you do not fulfill these terms.

Apply online for your permanent or professional state certificate.

Once you have completed your state certification requirements, be sure to apply for your permanent or professional certificate since these are not issued automatically. This is especially important if your provisional or initial certificate expires this Aug. 31. You can complete the application and pay your $100 application fee online at the State Education Department website. Don’t forget to indicate all your full-time teaching experience — don’t assume the State Education Department knows your work history. You need two years of teaching experience for a permanent certificate and three years for a professional certificate.

Get your principal’s verification in June.

If you plan to apply for your professional certificate this summer, complete the section of the application that asks you to list your teaching experience before the end of June, while you can easily find your principal. The State Education Department does not check with the DOE to find out how much teaching experience you have. You’ll need to show that you have three years of teaching experience and have it verified by your principal as part of your application process. You can view and complete the application at www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert.

Submit documentation.

Beyond filing the application and fee, be sure to submit whatever documentation the State Education Department needs to verify that you completed the requirements. You can check your TEACH online account to see which documentation you still need to submit; e.g. an original transcript of your master’s degree showing the degree was granted and the date it was awarded. Those applying for a professional certificate must include their Mentor Verification form.

You can mail in all your transcripts and documentation after you apply, as long as these items reach Albany before Aug. 31. Make copies of all your documentation before you send it in together with a cover letter indicating that you have applied and paid the fee online. Send everything to the New York State Education Department, Office of Teaching Initiatives, Room 5N Education Building, Albany, NY 12234. Mail your packet “Return Receipt Requested” and file the receipt with the copies of your paperwork.

Since it takes time to process your application, it’s a good idea to complete all your requirements well before your provisional or initial certificate expires.

Check your Annual Professional Performance Review carefully.

When you receive this rating report from your principal, make sure your attendance and Cumulative Absence Reserve records are accurate. Report any disagreements or discrepancies to your school secretary right away. Teachers who receive a U-rating should immediately contact their UFT borough office and ask to speak to a U-rating advocate. Keep this document in a safe place for future reference.

For further information about certification, licensing and other professional issues, call the UFT TeacherLine.