In contrast to PG, nothing ventured, nothing gained. NZ is in the same boat as Canada, the US, and other growing countries with not enough teachers. So they are looking to fill the need via immigration.


Apply away - no guarantees, but from what I saw, they are not looking for specific countries - but for well-qualified teaching immigrants.

I would write to the licensing authority and present your case. Then you will be told, you need to submit your application etc, for consideration. Moral of story - apply and see what happens...

Start here... https://www.education.govt.nz/news/over ... cruitment/

Most of your language teachers will be native or near native speakers, with departments being a mix of local and overseas hires.

As to needing the qualification - if you plan on living as an international teacher at international schools, it is essential. I haven't worked at a school where an uncertified teacher is working - which makes sense given that a selling point for schools charing $23,000 plus a year is that all teachers are certified in their home countries.

IB experience is similar - it is best if you have it. How do you get it? You go to a school where they will hire teachers with no IB experience, train them, and then you move on after your contract. Or you take an MYP position at a continuum or world school that offers either MYP and DP or PYP/MYP/DP and work your way in.

Good luck!

goblinhunter - when you applied for search, did you go through apli or did you actually go through the registration process? The reason I ask is that they are different - schools ask for apli, but you do not need to be a member of Search. Search registration gets you full access to the Search site.

There is a difference. As to Japan - schools prefer European/American teachers, and Caucasian is the preference. That said - it may be that the school laid down a very precise description of what they wanted and this was communicated to Search. That has been known to happen. Search is under no obligation to tell you why you weren't considered for the position - to get that information, try reaching out to the school directly.

Sorry you had this experience - knowing why we weren't considered helps us along the way.

Bears, I've answered your questions below:
I have a few questions regarding the teaching profession in the U.S.:

Competitiveness of High School Math Teacher Positions: I'm curious about the level of competitiveness in securing a high school math teacher job. Given my background, how challenging might this be?

Math teachers at any level are in demand. You shouldn't have a significant problem getting a job.

Hiring Trends: Are the months of August and September less competitive for finding such positions, considering schools might have fewer qualified applicants for each math opening? Additionally, what is the hiring landscape like for mid-year positions, such as in December?

For domestic schools, peak hiring starts in late March (after Spring Break) through to some point in May. Again in August as enrolment numbers become clear and teachers are needed to fill classrooms full of students with no teacher permanently assigned.

Perceptions of Age and Experience: In the context of American schools, how is age viewed, particularly for someone in their late-30s like myself? Also, how might my limited teaching experience impact my job prospects or how I'm perceived in the educational community?

Age is fine. Limited teaching experience - how long have you been teaching? As to MS teaching - do you like gaming? Do you share interests with your students? Learn their names quickly? Ask about them and get comfortable enough with who they are that you know when they are 'off', who needs gentle encouragement, who needs a wakeup call, who works for marks only, who works for pride, etc? If you find it hard to connect to MS students, HS might be better, but do you have the ability to do a good job?

In short, if you are a good teacher, you will likely always have a job or only be in-between jobs for a short period of time. Math teachers are in demand and the market for teachers is great right now.

If you want to be in admin overseas, you now have experience domestically. Apply for VP positions or principalships of smaller/out of the way schools where you stand a better chance of landing a position. Once there, stay for 3-4 years (most contracts initially will be 2 or 3 year contracts). Use that as a springboard to your next position.


Getting in at a T1 is in no way a guarantee of landing an admin (or even a leadership position such as department head or head of year). There is more flexibility at smaller schools. I know a guy who went to a school as a teacher, ended up coordinating everything, as well as becoming a VP and Tech Director at the same time! He's now a principal at another school last I heard, but he had no admin experience going into the school where everything happened.

The usual for me has been 20 blocks a week - one week you teach 12 of 20, the other week you teach 13 of 20, for a total of 25/40 biweekly. Classes have ranged from 70 to 90 minutes long. Duty is lunch or break duty 2x a week, plus two after school acvities on a trimester cycle. No before or after school supervision.


Over a good system.

Best answers after the questions...

1) What is your teaching philosophy? Less is better.

2) What is your teaching style? It changes with the fashion.

3) What are your weaknesses? My eyesight and tripping over things.

4) How do you use technology in class? To teach and learn

5) What is the most important component of teaching? (curriculum, standards, management, etc) Students, because without them, you're not teaching.

6) How do you motivate students? By pulling the lever to drop students who give wrong answers into the bubbling pot of oil.

7) How do you use differentiation in class? It's different for each student...

8) What are the most important measures of safeguarding? Um, L, W, and H. Also perhaps π. If you're looking for a formula, BXW÷2 x H

9) How do you manage behavior? I take prozac.

10) How do you keep up to date with PD / best practices? I reread my college texts on teaching.

And there you have it - your interview question answers.

AI will never replace teachers. While some parents might use it for homeschooling, etc, the vast majority want a person there. And that won't change. Education is about relationships first, content and curriculum second. Our jobs are secure :-)

For many reasons, I would recommend the Master's in School Counseling. It will open many more doors and is viable if you have to go back to your home country. PTC/TTC/CTC isn't academically recognized that I know of. You do not get a degree and its certification isn't as portable as a university certificate. That's my 2 cents - others' mileage may vary.

The IB Diploma IS a high school diploma. The issue is whether you want to put all your eggs in one basket or not. If you are at an American International School which offers IB DP, you are also granted a school diploma, whether you achieve your IB Diploma score of 24 with a passing Core or not. The school diploma is based entirely on class marks and previous credits for graduation.

If you go to a French or Spanish school, you also need to take the classes that lead to the national diploma - ON TOP OF the IB classes. This creates a fair amount of extra work. Best is to talk with the school, understand their requirements and credits system, and make your choice accordingly.

As to non-GCSE going to A levels, it is possible, but A levels are fairly specific in many cases, so it is somewhat dependent on the NC (National Curriculum) to have specific background and experience. A good student can do it, but some courses might be work.

There's my 2 halalas.

Have had several teaching colleagues hit the fairs this years - all came back with jobs at good schools in areas they wanted that they are excited to go to. Some of the schools they had not applied to pre-fair, so the fair did make a difference. Others it was to close the deal. YMMV, but yes, the fairs are alive and well...

In addition, many of the candidates we are talking to are waiting to go to the fair before committing... once again an indicator that for many teachers, the fair is still an attractive option...

I think the fairs are alive and well, Buffalo... and will continue as long as it is felt they fill a need on the part of schools and teachers.

if there is an explanation and I am interested in you, that wouldn't scare me away. Many administrators have friends in China and know the reality. After 6 years - 3 in lockdown and no travel with threats not to leave the country, your situation is understandable and not a deal breaker. Your 5.5 years in one school shows me you have longevity too, which also helps with any worry I might have.

At the same time, the school offered you a position in good faith. You accepted in good faith. If the contract is good enough to take, it is good enough to honour. Otherwise simply say no thanks and continue looking.

By the time you change your mind, with the justification of August, the school has stopped looking for candidates for the job. They have focused elsewhere. And by the time you get around to letting them know you are not going to follow through on the contract, other, more suitable candidates are gone.

So do everybody a favour. Either say no if you have doubts, or honour the contract. It's pretty simple.