After teaching in an African country for over a decade and having (my past) students in trade schools, universities and professions the world over, I moved to the US, where I attended graduate school as an adult-returning student, graduating in 20011. I, had earlier (in 2004), applied for a teaching certificate from the Illinois State Board of Education better known by its acronym ISBE, and despite follow up efforts and repeated plea, had nothing forthcoming. In 2012, someone heard my story and advised me to apply for a substitute teaching certificate, which I did and received the certificate, only to be denied employment by CPS - Chicago Public School (who claimed at the time), that they were not hiring holders of the said diploma. I finally and through the advice of friends found a company that provides subs to charter schools, in the city and suburbs. Six years after my initial application , I was informed during my routine contacts with the ISBE that a secondary teaching certificate was issued to me in 2006. After struggling in vain to convince the agent (over the phone) that I never received it. I then asked, what it will take to have a duplicate copy issued to me. She told me it had expired and that I had to pay, to have it renewed, which I did immediately. Despite several calls and correspondences on the issue again, I finally received a letter requesting me to return to school and take a couple of courses without which my I will have to file in a new application as from May 2016 (if my recollection is exact). At 56, with family responsibilities and student loan in repayment phase, I had intended to get myself fully involved in education while working to get the necessary papers. I have tried alternative routes to teacher certification, cruising through the process, however when my (British styled) BA degree transcript is analysed I always receive the usual, ‘polite response’, “Sorry the process was so competitive…. However we shall recommend you to our, other partners and collaborators for consideration…” (Which I think is indicative of a lack of knowledge of the detail content of the transcript). Where does an office take the application fee and keep and ask the potential applicant to take courses - not for free and return for consideration?) Moreso, after the receiving the letter, I returned to the website only to find out that the content of my account had been modified to suit their recommendation - unbelievable isn’t it? Believe me, when I go round in (different) schools as a substitute teacher, I learn a lot of the american system of education, but regret enormously not to have been given the opportunity to (be a teacher and) make an impact in the lives of the students of my city, Chicago and my country the US. I am a born-teacher, still fired-up and not ready to throw in the towel. Any experience like this, any questions? Meanwhile any advice will be highly welcome, so looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks in advance.