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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    RTR/WDE
    Posts
    1,724

    Default Re: Can I Teach with 2 Duis

    You'll need to contact the agencies in question and ask them.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Bedford, Texas
    Posts
    109

    Default Re: Can I Teach with 2 Duis

    You should expect that any employer who will put you in a room with children is going to conduct a background check and find convictions for DUI.

    You may be able to expunge the older DUI and get that out of a background check (at least for some employers). Talk to a criminal defense attorney about that.

    Otherwise you are stuck with what you have in your background. I'd suggest taking up other positive activities (e.g. volunteer work) to show you are overall a good person who made a couple bad decisions. I'd also carefully think about how to explain around the DUIs.

  3. #3

    Default Re: Can I Teach with 2 Duis

    Thank you AdamK. I really appreciate your feedback.

    I plan on being completely honest during the application process. I know a background check is inevitable, and rightfully so.

    I have been volunteering for a while now at several NGOs and non-profits. I have excellent LORs, and over 3 years of teaching under my belt, as both Substitute Teaching and Instructional Aid positions. In both cases, I blew a .09. I wish I can take it back, but what is done is done.

    Do you think it would be easier as time passes? I'm thinking that by the time I get my credential/masters, it won't be judged as harshly. I just finished my masters in a non-related degree, but I'm thinking about getting my masters in education as well.

    Also, are you aware of any teachers with DUIs? I know there are many teachers with DUIs, but not sure if there are a lot of them with more than one.

    Thanks again for your input, AND most of all, thank you for not dishing out your judgment on me - it is greatly appreciated. Best wishes.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    California
    Posts
    20,594

    Default Re: Can I Teach with 2 Duis

    In CA the fingerprint check should only return disqualifying convictions, not a complete rap sheet. DUI is not a disqualifying conviction for a teacher. As such, I don't think the DUIs will appear here. If the district also checks public records, they might discover this and it MIGHT be an issue for them ... maybe. But, I have arrested a few teachers over the decades for DUI and other offenses (including marijuana sales) and all of them are still teaching. So, I wouldn't worry too much.

  5. #5

    Default Re: Can I Teach with 2 Duis

    Thank you for your post, it really boosts my hopes up, and it really helps - more than you can imagine.

    I know a DUI is a serious crime, and I really wish I could have a do-over. I also know that there are other serious offenses that seem to NOT be taken as seriously as a DUI when it comes to a hiring committee for a school.

    You're right though, there are tons of teachers with DUIs. I've been reading up on several cases, and it seems to be hit and miss. The underlying reasons that most of them were let-go (it seems), were because they were involved in accidents, or had several "hidden" DUIs in different states. This is not the case for me. I'm sure I will have to explain myself in front of a committee eventually. I am also pretty sure non-violent Misdemeanors are not reasons for automatic denial of a teaching certificate (schools will take my money)- landing a job however, might be a different story.

    I am pretty sure it will show on my background check. They usually do an FBI check, and that shows everything - except minor traffic violations. Hopefully they will consider my crime as a victimless crime. We shall see.

    Thanks again everyone, this helps more than you can imagine...

    I'll keep yo posted.

    Best Wishes

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    California
    Posts
    20,594

    Default Re: Can I Teach with 2 Duis

    The FBI check may not include the DUIs - they are spotty. And, again, even the FBI return is not likely to include a copy of a rap sheet, only disqualifying convictions as it is also disseminated through the CA DOJ.

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