• Bachelor's degree in a state-approved teacher preparation program.
• Meet qualifications for teaching in primary or secondary schools in their country of nationality or last legal residence.
• Work as a teacher in the home country or meet eligibility qualifications, including recent completion of an advanced degree and two years of full-time teaching experience within the past eight years.
• Hold a degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree in education or the intended academic subject.
• Have a minimum of two years (24 months) of teaching or related professional experience.
• Meet the standards of the U.S. state in which they will teach.
• Have a good reputation and character.
• Intend to enter the United States for full-time teaching as a teacher of record at a primary or secondary accredited educational institution.
• Pre-kindergarten teachers must teach full-time and, at the pre-kindergarten level, may teach only language immersion at an accredited host school.
• Possess sufficient proficiency in the English language.

This is a U.S. Department of State Exchange Visitor Program.

Important program rules:

• The program is not intended to fill U.S. teacher shortages

• It is not a pathway to permanent employment

• It may not be used to obtain an H-1B visa

• LYSD does not sponsor waiver requests

Teachers have the right to:

• Fair treatment

• Safe housing and working conditions

• Medical and emergency coverage

• Contact the U.S. Department of State if needed

All participants receive information on their rights and protections during orientation.

As part of the J-1 Teacher Exchange Program, participants are required to engage in structured cultural exchange activities each year. These activities are designed to promote mutual understanding between U.S. students and teachers and the participants’ home countries.

Each exchange teacher will complete:

• One home-country cultural activity for students, families, or the community (such as a presentation, classroom project, or cultural event), and
• One cross-cultural exchange activity that connects U.S. students with students or educators in the teacher’s home country through classroom projects, virtual exchanges, or collaborative learning.

LYSD monitors and documents these activities annually to ensure the program meets U.S. Department of State exchange requirements.

LYSD does not charge:

• Sponsor fees
• Placement fees
• Program fees
• DS-2019 reprint fees

Costs paid by the teacher

Item

Estimated Cost

SEVIS Fee: $220

Visa Application Fee: $160–$185

Credential Evaluation: $160–$210

Licensure Exams (Praxis): $100–$250

Dependent (J-2) Fee: $250 per person/year

Supplemental Insurance: Varies

LYSD pays:

• Travel at the start and end of the program
• Visa extension fees beyond three years (if approved)

LYSD does not collect deposits or program fees, so there is no refund or cancellation policy. All required payments are made directly to third-party agencies.

• What happens if I change my address or phone number? You must notify LYSD within 10 days so your SEVIS record can be updated, as required by federal regulations.
• Can I work outside my LYSD teaching assignment? No. J-1 teachers may only work in the position and location authorized on their DS-2019.
• What if I have a problem with my school, housing, or health? Contact LYSD immediately. If a concern is not resolved, you may also contact the U.S. Department of State J-1 Visa Emergency Helpline.
• Can I change visa types while in the program? The J-1 Teacher Program is a temporary exchange program. It is not designed to provide a pathway to employment-based visas or permanent residency.

Housing

• LYSD provides district-managed housing in the communities where teachers work. Rent and utilities are deducted from payroll.

Cost of Living: Teachers should plan for additional living expenses, including:

• Food
• Transportation
• Internet and phone service
• Personal and recreational expenses
• Estimated living costs range from $500–$1,000 per month, depending on location and lifestyle.

Travel

LYSD pays for:

• Airfare
• Hotel
• Ground transportation
• Per diem at the beginning and end of the approved visa period. Travel for family members or personal trips is not covered.

• Program Type: J-1 Teacher Exchange Program
• Sponsor: Lower Yukon School District (LYSD)
• Program Purpose: Cultural and educational exchange
• Location: Rural Alaska (LYSD communities)
• Position: Full-time classroom teacher
• Work Schedule: Approximately 37.5 hours per week during the school year
• Program Length: Up to three years initially, with possible extensions to a maximum of five years
• Housing: District-provided, payroll-deducted
• Travel: Arrival and departure travel provided by LYSD
• Cultural Exchange: Required annually

LYSD provides structured support before and during the exchange:

Before Arrival

• Travel guidance
• Visa and documentation support
• Housing and insurance information
• Cultural orientation

After Arrival

• Transportation from Anchorage
• District orientation
• Ongoing HR and principal support
• Cultural exchange monitoring

Teachers participate in district-wide in-service training and receive ongoing mentoring.

Program Extensions

J-1 teachers are initially approved for up to three years in the Exchange Visitor Program. Participants may be eligible for extensions of up to two additional years, for a maximum of five years total, subject to program need and federal approval.

All extension requests:

• Must be submitted by LYSD as the program sponsor
• Must be reviewed for continued eligibility and compliance
• Are subject to approval by the U.S. Department of State

Teachers may not independently apply for extensions without sponsor authorization.

LYSD serves ten remote communities in western Alaska, many of which are rooted in Yup’ik culture and subsistence traditions. Teachers in our program experience:

• Small, community-centered schools
• Strong relationships with families
• Deep cultural traditions
• Unique Arctic and sub-Arctic environments

Exchange teachers are invited to share their own cultures through:

• Cultural Week
• Classroom activities
• Community events
• Annual cultural presentations

The result is a true two-way exchange: students learn about the world, and teachers gain insight into Indigenous Alaskan culture and U.S. education.

Lower Yukon School District – J-1 Teacher Exchange Program

2518 E. Tudor Rd., Suite 201

Anchorage, Alaska 99507

Responsible Officer: Andy Steele

Alternate Responsible Officers: Susan Steele and Melissa Kortbein

Email: j1program@lysd.org

J-1 Visa Emergency Helpline

(U.S. Department of State):

1-866-283-9090

JVisas@state.gov