Thanks Psy! I agree with your sentiments re: teaching in the US. It has made me want, and even begin, to change careers. I don't know if I can go back teaching here in the states (I've taken a couple years off to be with my son).........Thanks for your input re: difficulties teaching internationally: The issue of job INsecurity is what is keeping me from jumping feet first back into inter'l teaching. I taught 3 yrs in China and my subject is Biology.... but am now married (NTS) and have a son, so I'm knocked a bit further down the hiring ladder. And what you say about not having a job back in the states, etc really worries me....

As always, thanks for your input, you have great insight here! :)

I am planning on going back into international teaching (a couple years away, unfortunately....) and was curious about a few things:

How long have you been teaching international? And how much longer do you plan/ foresee yourself doing this...until retirement?

What has been some of the greatest difficulties you've had in your career teaching internationally?

Do you find teaching internationally more or less "enjoyable", rewarding, etc than teaching in your home country?

Thanks for letting me pick your brains! :)

Sorry if this seems like a redundant question, as I've read through the posts on similar topics, but I'm starting to get the feeling a career in international teaching is a long shot for those w/ NT spouses and/ or dependents....And am finding myself having extreme difficulty thinking we can pull this off...

My background: In total 7 yr teaching HS Biology/ General Science: 1 yr in MS; 2 yrs in China (Biology at a Canadian School) and another year in China, but was ESL work.

Great references

Certified in Biological Science (NJ); BA in Biology; no MA; No IB experience

Extracurricular experience only in China,: I established a Roots and Shoots program at the school (it's an international environmental/ humanitarian program); involved a lot of volunteer work involving my schools students with local community's migrant children.

I'm married to a NT spouse who is a Dominican (no background in teaching/ education) and we have a 2 yr old son.

I went to AASSA with no luck, but had 3 recruiters very interested in me, one contacting my references prior to the interview...but their biggest hesitation was financial and were concerned that the pay wouldn't be enough for me to support my family causing spouse/ family as a whole would be unhappy or that spouse would be "bored" and I wouldn't fulfill the contract. Even after talking with 2 and reassuring them finances/ spouse boredom would not be a problem....one recruiter told me that is was more a matter of security and them having to take responsibility for my family, as well. And the most confusing was one that told me that he had no doubt I would be a great fit with the school/ faculty and was confident that I am a great teacher, we talked about spouse, etc....then he just sent a generic letter rejection letter and how he was sure I had many job offers anyway, so...????

The dependent issue seems to be many-fold and seems to be one schools don't want to deal with, especially with so many (it seems anyway) teaching couples out there...I read many people have done this with dependents and I totally get the uncertainty of this lifestyle....but if one's is to gamble, especially with a family, it's good to know if your going in on a "smart bet"....

I thank you all for your insight and words in advance.....this forum has been a great help in my "research" and I appreciate it greatly!

Thanks for the feedback! great points from you both! I appreciate it!

I am attending the AASSA Job Fair this December....

After reading many posts re: job fairs and the nature of I am unclear as to how the acutal job offer "works" (in general, I know there are no set rules/ formality per se) ...Do the schools offer you the position "on the spot" or do they give you time to think it over...Are many given in the first interview?

I read where some people were offered jobs this way, but passed holding our for a better one....

My concern is that I have two strikes against me....non-teaching spouse and 2yr old child.....And don't want to "loose" any offers even if they're not my #1 picks, in the hopes of better....which may not be offered....

Any insight would be great!