An apple for the teacher? How about a green card instead? Forced to hire teachers from foreign countries because there aren't enough Americans who want to work in the city, the Department of Education is now on the hunt for some good lawyers to help international teachers get work visas, the Daily News has learned.

"Over the last three years, a staggering number of teachers have retired and/or resigned from the teaching profession," the Department of Education said in a request for proposals that was sent to local law firms.

School officials predict that about 300 new teachers will need work visas each year, and 1,000 others already in the system will need help staying on top of their immigration paperwork.

The lawyers also will be expected to help obtain visas for the spouses and children of recruited teachers, records show.

Officials blame the teacher squeeze on laws preventing schools from using uncertified teachers, and initiatives to decrease class size and expand prekindergarten services.

The teachers union blames lagging salaries.

Three years' experience in immigration law is required, but the winning law firm also must be familiar with state teacher certification laws.

Washington-based law firm Reed Smith has been helping the city's international teachers for several years, but the request for proposals is open to any firm that wants to submit a proposal. The contract will last three years.

In addition to helping with work visas and other paperwork, the Department of Education temporarily houses the international teachers until they can find a place to live in the city.

Councilwoman Eva Moskowitz (D-Manhattan), who is the chairwoman of the Council Education Committee, praised the department for taking steps to guide foreign teachers through the federal bureaucracy but said all teachers could use extra help during the job application process.

Source - http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?r154249256