I was charged with felony possession of a very small amount of cocaine (wasn't mine, but that's a mute point) and got a conviction. Is there anywhere in the U.S. or Canada I can still teach? (I taught middle school for 6 years prior to the arrest. ) :o

I found 2 different answer, I guess I depends on the state your in.

Can I teach at a university with a felony record? - Yahoo! Answers
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
You can apply for a certificate of relieve in the state where the felony originated. Applications can be downloaded from your computer. Usually takes 3-6 months to approve if it is filled out properly. This certificate relieves you of your disabilities as a felony, enabling you to apply for jobs and not be discriminated against by your employer because of your felony conviction. It is a good piece of paper to have even if decide not to teach, it restores your right to vote, apply for licenses etc...
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2 years ago
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http://blogs.edweek.org/topschooljob...problemse.html

Felony+Teaching Career=Problems
“When I was in high school, I made a really stupid mistake. I went to a party and all my friends were drinking, so I did, too. I had a curfew, and I knew that my parents would worry if I didn't get home on time, so I drove – even though I shouldn't have. I hit a car, and the investigating officer smelled alcohol on my breath. The bottom line is that I was charged with a DUI. It's a felony in our state. My dream, since I was in third grade, was to be a teacher. Is there any way I can still get a teaching license? I've learned my lesson the hard way, and I know I'd be a great teacher.”

Recently I heard this story from a client, tears streaming down her cheeks. In Career Services, an unsettling trend is the increase in number of students who have committed felonies, but who desperately want to become teachers. Fingerprinting and criminal background checks ensure that felony convictions will be disclosed before a prospective teacher even gets to the classroom. The reality is that the path from felony to teacher licensure is likely to be steep. If you are someone who finds him/herself in this unfortunate circumstance, what can you do?

• Confer with your College of Education adviser to learn about program/university policies. Disclose your conviction before you invest hours in a program that you will be unable to complete.
• Research your State Board of Education's regulations regarding felony convictions and teacher licensure. Some states prohibit any convicted felon from being licensed, whereas others base the decision on the type of felony committed.
• Be prepared to relocate to another state with less stringent regulations if you are determined to teach. Check individual State Board of Education websites to determine parameters.
• Talk frankly and honestly about the lessons you have learned. If you are able to be licensed, some district applications will give you the opportunity to discuss the circumstances of your conviction.
• Consult an attorney for valuable legal advice regarding your rights. Remember that there is a difference between an arrest and a conviction.
• Investigate alternative career options. Your heart may be in teaching, yet this may not be a realistic possibility. Talk with a Career Services counselor to determine what careers employ the same talents and skills (skill sets) required of a teacher. It's hard to forsake an aspiration, but in a tight teaching market where districts have many candidate choices, being a convicted felon is likely to jeopardize your chances of being chosen.

It can be devastating to face the fact that a mistake that you made years ago might determine the course of your life. High school students are often oblivious to the long-term effects of their actions; in addition, many have already paid a huge financial and emotional price for their transgressions.

If this has been your experience, how have you handled it? I recommend that you gather all the facts that you can, then make the most informed decisions possible. Remember…there are plenty of people out there who are willing to help you.

--Dr. Dawn S. Jones,
Online Education Adviser,
Northern Illinois University, on behalf of AAEE

OK, if this certificate can be pettitioned for in any US state your good to go.....good luck.

http://www.pubdef.ocgov.com/newleaf/...b%20Packet.pdf

DEBORAH A. KWAST
PUBLIC DEFENDER
THOMAS HAVLENA
CHIEF DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER
LAW OFFICES
ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER
14 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA
SANTA ANA, CA 92701-4029
(714) 834-2144 FAX: (714) 834-2729
Orange County Public Defender
BRIAN L. DUCKER
SENIOR ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER
E. ROBERT GOSS
SENIOR ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER
JEAN M. WILKINSON
SENIOR ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER


CERTIFICATE OF REHABILITATION

WHAT IS IT?
A Certificate of Rehabilitation is a court order which declares that a person who has been convicted of a
Felony is rehabilitated. If a petition for Certificate of Rehabilitation is granted by the Court, the Court automatically
Forwards the finding to the Governor which constitutes an application for a Pardon. The granting of a Certificate of
Rehabilitation or a Pardon restores to the applicant some – but certainly not all – of the rights of citizenship which
Were forfeited as a result of a felony conviction. It does not seal or erase the record of conviction and it does not
Prevent the offense from being considered as a prior conviction if the person is later accused of a new crime.
Certificate seekers should familiarize themselves with the chart and information herein explaining what the
Granting of the application does and does not do. Additionally, you may want to consult with an attorney regarding
The specifics of your case. You may also want to contact the probation or parole office for their assistance in
Obtaining information regarding prior convictions which you will need when making application for a Certificate of
Rehabilitation.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS?
IT DOES:
�� Relieve certain specified sex offenders of further duty to register. (See Penal Code § 290).
�� Enhance an ex-felon's potential for becoming licensed by state boards. (See Penal Code § 4853).
�� Serve as an official document to demonstrate an ex-felon's rehabilitation, which could enhance
Employment possibilities.
�� Serve as an automatic application for a pardon.
IT DOES NOT:
�� Erase the felony conviction or seal the criminal record. (See Penal Code § 4852.17).
�� Prevent the offense form being considered as a prior conviction if the person is later convicted of a new
Offense.
�� Allow an ex-felon to answer on a employment applications that he/she has no record of conviction.
�� Give an ex-felon the right to vote – this is automatically restored after termination from probation or
Discharge from parole.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?
The laws pertaining to the Certificate of Rehabilitation can be found in California Penal Code § 4852.01
Through 4852.21.
Generally, a person who has been convicted in California of a felony, or a misdemeanor sex offense
Specified in California Penal Code § 290, the accusatory pleading of which has been dismissed pursuant to Penal
Code § 1203.4, may apply to the superior court in his or her county or residence for a Certificate of Rehabilitation,
Provided that he or she meets behavioral requirements and the applicable period of rehabilitation

I'd check individual school districts as well. They will have such information on their websites.

I know where I am a felony conviction of "selling" a controlled substance... you won't get hired... (along with several other types of felony convictions).

With some felony convictions, and possibly possession falls under this category, you won't get hired if it occurred in the last 10 years... beyond 10 years it would be reviewed for consideration.

Hi, telworthy!

I know that in Iowa you can petition to request your teacher's license be granted in spite of convictions that you might have had in the past.

Thanks!

You were a teacher prior to the arrest? And you don't know that it's MOOT point, not mute?