As I have mentioned before I live in the Netherlands but I am originally from Canada. When I first moved here, I needed to get my teaching credentials certified by the Dutch authorities. This was a pain to do and took some time. I had to get my degree stamped first by my university in Calgary to certify it's validity. They sent it to me in the Netherlands. I then had to send it back to Ottawa to get it stamped by the Dutch embassy in Canada. When this was done, my degree was certified and I was able to hold the position of teacher.
I have a colleague who is from St. Maarten's which is part of the Dutch Antilles. She, unlike me, has held a Dutch passport since birth. Her education was in Dutch and followed a Dutch system. She also had to get her teaching degree certified by the Dutch authorities. Although her program was almost identical to mine, hers was denied. The only reason that I can see for this is that most people from the Dutch Antilles are black. The result of this denial is that she holds the position of teaching assistant even though she has the responsibilities of a teacher. She has her own class and is expected to take on the same tasks that I am. Because she has a teaching assistant position she is paid significantly less. She has almost as much experience as I do and yet she gets half the salary.
This situation started about 7 years ago when the school district where we work started checking certifications. It has yet to be resolved. I still feel angry at the unfairness of it all. The only way she can rectify this situation is to redo her teacher training, something that is almost impossible while working a full time job. She is a single mother and can't take time off to go to school. She shouldn't have to either as she has already done all the training required. I also feel helpless to change the situation. She has accepted it but I can't seem to let go of my feelings of unfairness.
In order to bring greater equity to this situation I think the process of certifying degrees should be changed. Rather than looking at the degree itself, they should look at the courses in the program. They should compare the actual program completed to the program that is offered here. They should also take into account the era that the degree was completed as requirements change. The location of the university should not be known to the committee that certifies the degrees.
I have a colleague who is from St. Maarten's which is part of the Dutch Antilles. She, unlike me, has held a Dutch passport since birth. Her education was in Dutch and followed a Dutch system. She also had to get her teaching degree certified by the Dutch authorities. Although her program was almost identical to mine, hers was denied. The only reason that I can see for this is that most people from the Dutch Antilles are black. The result of this denial is that she holds the position of teaching assistant even though she has the responsibilities of a teacher. She has her own class and is expected to take on the same tasks that I am. Because she has a teaching assistant position she is paid significantly less. She has almost as much experience as I do and yet she gets half the salary.
This situation started about 7 years ago when the school district where we work started checking certifications. It has yet to be resolved. I still feel angry at the unfairness of it all. The only way she can rectify this situation is to redo her teacher training, something that is almost impossible while working a full time job. She is a single mother and can't take time off to go to school. She shouldn't have to either as she has already done all the training required. I also feel helpless to change the situation. She has accepted it but I can't seem to let go of my feelings of unfairness.
In order to bring greater equity to this situation I think the process of certifying degrees should be changed. Rather than looking at the degree itself, they should look at the courses in the program. They should compare the actual program completed to the program that is offered here. They should also take into account the era that the degree was completed as requirements change. The location of the university should not be known to the committee that certifies the degrees.
Hi Jennifer! You certainly had to go through a lot to get your teaching credentials certified by the Dutch authorities. I also really feel bad for your friend! It is sad if her program was denied due to her her race. I agree with you that certifying degrees should be changed. Once you get your teacher certification you should be able to teach anywhere. The only thing that you may be required to do is take some professional development courses to conform to the program in the particular area that you live in.
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