Hey Psyguy

So I do have a Standard DC credential, is this going to be a problem? I have been thinking about gaining reciprocity in another state to avoid having the "dreaded DC credential". In your opinion, is it worth it to do this? For some reason, I am not so optimistic about the longevity/sustainability of Moreland/DC credential acceptance. I'm currently in an M.Ed program right now (not Moreland), so I am hoping once this is completed, it will bolster my credentials.

I'm also considering Hong Kong in the future, and have read that my American teaching license won't be enough to gain RT status in Hong Kong. Even gaining QTS through reciprocity still might pose challenges, right? Seeing as they want to see I gained my QTS through a postgraduate program. I'm curious if you have any suggestions as to how I might work this sequentially. Is it even worth gaining QTS through reciprocity if that QTS isn't accepted everywhere because I didn't gain it through a postgraduate program? Would it be worth it just to finish my M.Ed first and then see if some of those credits can be used for a PGCE or something along those lines?

Hey everyone, sorry if this has been asked before, can’t seem to find it on the threads.

I’m curious if anyone has experience as an American using their American teaching license to apply for QTS? The process, hurdles, any info would be warmly welcomed.

Cheers

Thank you for your replies guys.


Probably will end up going the EU route later on down the road. I also worked in the US starting at age 14 or 15, until about age 24, so there's a chance I also qualify for the 40 quarters.

I have always considered Portugal as one of my IT stops because of its relative ease to gain citizenship. Although based on my research the schools there aren't anything to ride home about. Does anyone have any idea what teaching in Portugal is like?

Hey everyone,

U.S citizen here. I'm curious about what people have planned for healthcare in retirement.

Assuming I retire back to America; It seems I won't qualify for Medicare if I am living abroad and claiming the foreign earned income exclusion my entire working life.

Would be nice to get an idea regarding how to plan for this. Especially seeing as US healthcare isn't cheap, and I can imagine will only get more expensive as time goes on.

Thanks for the responses in advance.

Thanks for your reply PG.

1.) I figured as much. Perhaps the best career move is to stay at my upcoming school for a second contract. The city I'm moving to in China is a solid tier 2 city, which I have read only good things about. It's in close proximity to a cool tier 1 as well... so long as covid zero hasn't decimated its morale too badly... I guess I'll hope for the best, first see what's out there during the recruiting season in late 2023, then fall back on possibly entering a second contract to take on more responsibility/leadership.

2.) Could you elaborate on what an "exhibition year" is?

3.) Cheers

4.) Any idea what type of specializations in primary are most in demand? I would imagine literacy is saturated? STEM being more in demand?

5.) My master's program offers a full-time semester-long internship course at the end of it. Do those big three in BKK even consider internships for classroom roles? I can't imagine it's in their best interest to put a lesser experienced IT in a classroom, even if they are getting them for free, not like they're hurting for cash...

6.) I'm in a classroom now and moving into another this fall. The program is a M.Ed in Advanced Teaching and Learning, I can focus on Primary/Middle or Secondary. And take a specialization in either Literacy or STEM. I'm leaning toward STEM as I believe it to be more in demand. But to be honest I enjoy teaching literacy more, probably just because I have more experience doing it. I'd imagine STEM is more enjoyable to teach as it can be more hands on.

7). Will highly consider it lol. I've read from others these logistical hires are becoming less and less common though, is that true?

8.) Yes this is a great idea. I've made a website, just need to keep it updated.

Hey guys,

As I get ready to move for my upcoming contract, I'm thinking about what my future holds following these next two years and how to navigate that uncertain terrain best. Any suggestions/information is warmly welcomed.

Profile:
American, 29 years old, single, two years experience in American Curriculum + (two years in PYP following completion of upcoming contract), starting two-year M.Ed in June.

My Plan:
By 40 I would like to own a home, and like many, my end game is to break into one of the "Golden 3" in Thailand.
I am currently in China and will be moving to a bigger city for my upcoming contract. I understand top schools like to see commitment from ITs, but come June 2024, it will have been seven years on the Mainland, and I feel time for a change. I would also like to increase my ability to save with each new two-year contract. So, during the previous recruiting season, I was especially drawn to and subsequently ignored by the few schools in Hong Kong offering $100K+/year. Understandable for where I currently am in my Teaching Career. Seeing as I don't drink and can live relatively modestly, I was hoping in two years, with four years of experience and an M.Ed, HK would be the slight change of scenery from the Mainland I need while I gain experience and save some money.

Questions:
-Would I have a chance to land a job at a top school in HK with 4 years of experience (2 PYP) and an M.Ed? Or is this delusional…?
-Would it look bad on my CV if I changed schools three times in six years? Even if I stayed at the third school for 2 or 3 consecutive two-year contracts?
-Would 10 years of experience (8 PYP), and an M.Ed even get me considered for one of the "Golden 3" (specifically NIST as they use the PYP) in Thailand? What else might I be able to do to bolster my CV? Especially as I look forward to my upcoming contract. Besides completing my Master's, what should be my primary focus in the classroom? I'm excited to learn as much as possible about the PYP and its implementation. I want to make sure I'm preparing myself for the future as best as possible.

I warmly welcome critiques/suggetions.
Thanks everyone.

Hey guys,

So I have just had my Search profile activated and I am browsing schools. Just a few weeks ago I submitted my application for my teaching license (PRAXIS tests, teacher preparation course documents, etc. included). I should be receiving my License within the next 4-6 weeks.

I guess I am wondering what you guys think would be a better move for me:

-Start messaging schools and applying for positions while my license is pending
OR
-Wait it out the next 4 weeks or so until I actually have the license in hand

This is my first recruiting season, so although I know any reputable school requires their teachers to be licensed, I am not exactly sure how schools will feel about me being one bureaucratic waiting game away from full licensure.

I know January is a crucial recruiting time for schools, and I don't want to miss out on applying. I guess I am worried I will sully my name by not being fully credentialed. My thought is schools that are going to be okay hiring someone who has just got their license will probably also be okay with someone who is just weeks away from getting their license.

Curious what people think.
Much appreciated.

Hey everyone,

Im new to international teaching/having a career and I’m curious how people in our profession begin to save for retirement. I’m an American, and I’ve been reading up on starting an IRA/Roth IRA, but seeing as the money I make abroad is counted as a Foreign Earned Income and excluded from being taxed, I’m unable to qualify for any sort of IRA account. Ideally I’d like to begin putting money away in an IRA as I have control over it. I am sure I’ll get advice such as “seek a school that provides retirement/pension” but I’m more so interested in seeing if there’s any way I can personally begin putting money for the long haul.

I’ve read about claiming a foreign tax credit instead of claiming a foreign earned income? That would allow for IRA contributions..? Any Americans who have navigated this field, I’d love to hear from you.

Much appreciated.

> China - My advice, as much as you don't want to hear this, is to get a
> position in China. You're in a great position to get the sort of job you
> might like, excepting the location. To be honest, I don't consider your
> qualifications to be first-rate; it sounds like you've done Teach-Now and
> got US registration that way, and you lack a solid BEd/PGCE/GradDip.
> Perhaps you have an otherwise useful bachelor's though, such as in STEAM?
> Still, I am sure there will be PYP schools in China that will interview
> you. The same may not be the case elsewhere, generally, considering you
> need experience.

I appreciate the honest feedback. I am well aware of the "unconventional track" that I have taken and understand some schools might view this as a negative. I know you meant no harm, and this is not a gripe at you, more so at the bad reputation, those who take the non-conventional track get. It does get hard not to be defensive in this regard for a plethora of reasons. Mainly, I work with "career teachers" at my current school who have decades of public school/international experience, and as respected as they are, I am not so sure their students enjoy them or their classes anymore or less than mine. Don't get me wrong, I am well aware I have a TON of learning to do, and the organization these teachers display I revere. By no means do I think I am perfect, but I love what I do, I love my kids, especially the ones with a more intensive set of emotional/learning needs. I am confident in my ability and I think in some areas I am better at what I do than those with 20x the experience as me. Things are changing fast, education it seems is changing. I do feel I possess the advantage of not being stuck in my ways or having to "re-learn" methods of teaching.

Anyway, sorry to go off on a tangent. Actually, I'd like to hear what Psyguy has to say on the topic with his honesty and wisdom. Humility is my drug. I'm always craving it.

I knew I could count on the expertise of you @psyguy

Thank you for your in-depth evaluations of my situation. I greatly appreciate your insight and actually do feel a bit better about where I am at now as I am actually doing some of what you spoke on.

"Not everyone wants to be at a tier 1 IS. While its still a common enough goal to categorize the majority of ITs, especially those early in their careers. There are many ITs that would rather be at a lower tier IS where there workload is much more relaxed and they enjoy a better work life balance even if it means a lower level of comp than working twice the hours for what amounts to much less than twice the coin, especially if it means far fewer meetings, minimal collaboration, greatly reduced planning requirements (there is a new pop.ed idea of innovation through necessity that edus should replan all lessons on a 3-5 year cycle) and marking time."

This is a great point, to be honest, I feel I err more on the side of a higher work-life balance than comp anyway. So thanks for putting that into perspective for me. I do want to grow as an educator though, I am longing for the day when I won't even consider putting my pre-credential experience on my CV. I'd really like my next position to be one with a school that will allow me to grow, I am seeing now that staying in China might be my best chance to do just that... I guess moving to a larger city than the one I am in now would provide me with more of the expat vibe I am looking for.

I think I am going to pursue a master's program during my next position, preferably one with an IB track. I have perused the IB brochure to see which programs would make sense. I am curious what your guy's opinions are on the following:

University of bath
Universidad Camilo Jose Cela
George Mason University
Kent St University
Loyola University Chicago
Melbourne
Murdoch University
University of North Georgia
Southeastern Louisiana University
University of the People

Has anyone enrolled in any of these programs? Have you found them useful?
I know University of the People is the cheapest, and I've heard the "masters is a masters is a masters" line before. But something in me tells me something like UoP just wouldn't be as rigorous or well respected as say George Mason or Loyola.

"1) Gaining IB experience at any tier of IS is has far more value than anything you will study thats IB related. Integrating IBness in your current classroom is a good step that you can spin at a interview, but shifting that to reading and literacy would be much better (since many primary external assessments evaluate program success mostly by gains in reading and literacy).
2) You should also explore the learning center approach to EC if thats where you want to stay, as thats the current approach in meds/peds/asst. As well as being able to speak in depth on summ/form asst of those learning centers (lots of observational and holistic rubrics). PYP has embraced the learning center construct in the traditional elementary/primary grades over the rows and columns approach as more progressive and student centered. Even if you plan a hybrid approach (learning corners for example) integrating those into a traditional HRT environment.
3) Moving into different primary grades as you accumulate experience. An IS is more likely to hire someone with experience at the specific grade level they have a vacancy for.
4) Getting an advanced degree such as a Masters.
5) Becoming knowledgeable and preferably experienced in different curriculum such as US, UK, IB, Montessori, etc. Being able to talk about the ISs particular curriculum and ethos as a cult member if the recruiter/leader is also a cult member of that approach or curriculum."

It is well received to know that I am doing or have done some of the things you mentioned here. Thanks for the insight on what the IB focus is for primary. Obvious but I never made that connection, when I think inquiry I think science/social studies. I'll make it apart of my literacy periods as well. I have had a great mentor at my current position that has taught me how to incorporate learning centers into my reading and writing classes. Good to know experience with that will be useful going forward. I have also taught kindergarten, 3rd and 4th grade (US), I will keep in mind that moving into another grade level would be valuable experience. Masters is already in the pipeline. Expereince in montessori, and US so far, need to brush up pedagogy speak, but the experience is there.

Thanks for your insight again.

Oh one last thing.. Would anyone recommend Search Associates? I currently have a Schrole account and am going to make use of the GRC fairs. I feel having an actual person on the other end going to bat for me would benefit me as I try navigating this space. I'm curious what other's experience has been.

Hey there everyone,

This is my first recruiting season out here in the International Educator world, and I must say, I was feeling excited until I read posts on this forum... It would appear this is going to be much more cutthroat than I previously imagined.

I am writing to seek advice on what my best course of action might be moving forward.

I have just over 5 years of teaching experience (albeit- 7 months of student teaching, 1 year 4 months at a dreaded English training center, & 2 years at an "international" Kindergarten). My only "real" experience comes as I was able to get into a decent IS in China at the start of the 2020-2021 school year as I stayed in China while the lot got locked out. The school is a pretty well-known name, and my experience with the organization has been quite positive. However, I am growing quite tired of living here in the PRC and would like to go home next summer to see my family, so after 5 years it is time for me to move on. I will be receiving my final PRAXIS test score in about a week or so, which upon arriving, will be the last piece of the increasingly complicated puzzle that has been acquiring my DC teaching license from Moreland.

Come the end of this school year, I will have two years of homeroom upper elementary experience and a US teaching license. Given my newfound experience, the nature of the pandemic giving droves of experienced IE fatigue, & hoping to capitalize still on schools be shorthanded, I was optimistic about my chances of getting into a decent school somewhere in Thailand/Vietnam (I know they both have their downsides, trust me, I've read your posts on here). However, I am now realizing I was insanely naive to believe my minuscule experience and shiny credential could get me into the ISBs of the world (don't laugh). Having now been struck with reality, I am reaching out to see what those who have more experience in this field might recommend for someone like myself. I am finding I am continually drawn to IB schools and the PYP program, but without any experience, I know I'm not too desirable to quality schools teaching this curriculum. I guess I am wondering how I can make myself more marketable to more sought-after schools. I have been searching IB affiliated Masters programs, IB certificates (those are a waste of time from what I've read), and even started planning my own units of inquiry into my own science lessons in class so I have some sort of experience to speak on come job fairs.

I would love to hear from you guys on what you believe a reasonable expectation is for me to have for this recruiting period. I would love to hear how if you were in my situation, what you would do to increase your chances of landing a job with a decent school. What kind of school should I expect to look at my CV? It appears IB experience is more valuable than any certificate, do I bite the bullet for a year or so at a less desirable school to gain it? And obviously, we all want to be at a tier-one school someday, those of you who have gotten there, how'd you structure your career? I am 28, with no dependents or significant other holding me to any particular place. I want to make the most of this time I have to myself. ISB obviously isn't going to happen this hiring cycle, but I want to make sure my next move is one that gives the hiring cycle 10 years from now real promise...


Best,

Spartan