Obtaining a Teaching License in Idaho...

So, it's a possibility that we could move to Idaho in August. David has paid his deposit to attend the law school at University of Idaho. He is on the waitlist for BYU law, so we are sticking it out this summer and if we don't hear from BYU, we will head to Moscow, ID at the end of the summer.

It is frowned upon for a first year law student to work (even part time). This leaves pressure for me to have a job so we can eat and pay rent, which is pretty important. I like to not have to worry about where I will be sleeping at night.

I have a job here in Utah. Sadly, I have to move to a new school that is opening next year. Also, I am being moved back to 4th grade. I have LOVED my experience in 5th grade and am sad to leave my team, but the school numbers are down with the new school opening, so someone has to do it. I couldn't really expect another teacher to do it since I am only a second year teacher this year and there is a possibility I might not even be here in the fall.

If we go to Idaho, I don't really know what will happen. Moscow is home to University of Idaho and it neighbors Pullman, WA home of Washington State University. This means that there are many elementary teachers looking for jobs in the area. I haven't seen a single job posted. Plus, I can't really apply for jobs there if I don't know if I will be there yet.

Well, just in case our hopes and dreams of BYU law (saving us $30, 000 or more in the long run) don't happen, I am paying to apply for a teaching license in Idaho to keep as many doors open as I can.

It actually is a really easy process compared to the other states I have looked at because I have a teaching license in Utah. I just needed to compile a bunch of information/paperwork and send it with a check.

1- Complete & sign application
This took less than 5 minutes.

2-Complete fingerprint card
Sounds simple enough...
2a.I called to have one sent. I spent many days calling during office hours to request a fingerprint card to be sent because they have special instructions and requirements. I was always transferred to dead ends and left many unreturned messages. I finally got someone to send me one and it arrived two days later. I spilled water on it and had to repeat the process of having a new one sent...
2b. I look up when the Provo Police Department does fingerprinting. It happens to be Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights from 5:30-7:00 P.M. Sounds convenient. It was exactly 5:30 when I looked. I head on over to the police department and arrive around 5:45 feeling pretty good about myself. I sign up for a spot and pay the $10 fee. I am number ten. Even though the tiny room is full of people, ten doesn't sound so bad does it? Well an hour later when I discover that #1 is actually a group of ten people, I become a little discouraged and wish I had brought a book. Lucky for me, David came with me so I wasn't alone with all of these interesting people.... Apparently court-ordered fingerprinting takes extra time and there were a few of those. Everyone was getting fingerprints for different reasons/employers and had a little bit different paperwork for the single authorized fingerprinter to fill out. I had my fingerprint card filled out by 8:05, only two hours and twenty minutes later.

3-Application fee
$75 for the certificate/credential fee
$40 for the background investigation check
Write a check, easy-peasy.

4-Copy of a out-of-state teaching license
Done.

5-Official transcripts from credited university
After work I head on over to the ASB at BYU, pay the six bucks, and have an official transcript in less than two minutes.

6-Completed institutional recommendation
I took this form to my college at BYU thinking it will take a few minutes, maybe a half hour if I need to wait for a busy secretary. WRONG. I fill out a request form telling the secretary that I desire them to fill out this form for me. She tells me I can pick it up in 8-10 business days. 8-10 BUSINESS DAYS?! Did I hear her wrong? I am not really in a rush, but this seems ridiculous to me. They need to write down what program I completed and when along with my Praxis test scores and dates and sign it. I think that will take 5 minutes max for a person of fairly limited capabilities. I ask her if I understood right and she said yes. With a very confused look I left. When I told David, he went back in and asked her again if 8 to 10 business days was correct. Again she agreed. When he asked why, she said things can come up when she is filling out the form. Okay? Odd.

7- Official Praxis II assessment score sheet
Done.

That's it. I guess in 8-1o business days I will have my application for a teaching license on it's way to Boise, Idaho.