No i wasnt exaggerating. There are ALWAYS exceptions, and there is always someone who knows someone that it worked for them. Im talking about maximizing your marketability. Are there "just" middle school math positions, sure, they are a small number compared to the overall pool of math positions. Im being practical and realistic. You have a very focused job target (Colombia) that narrows your options further. That said the top schools want the best candidates and those are going to be a math teacher that can teach all levels of secondary. So Im glad there was a girl at the UNI fair who got a middle school math position in Colombia, she got your job, so its not available anymore

Yeah a great impression and great references are nice, but when lots of candidates have great references and make a great impression then what? Lots of people have great resumes and great interview skills, this isnt a bucket of rocks and your the one diamond, its more like a lot of diamonds.

Which would be better??? Thats tough lots of variables. At American schools guys in primary have an advantage. Outside of that a lot of cultures and parents want their primary school teachers to be maternal and woman. It either helps you or it hurts you, there is no neutral about it.

I think 4-8 math would be a very small niche and a hard sell. MYP is grades 6-10, and it just doesnt sound like you have any expertise in it, and math is hard to fake. If you cant do it all, you really cant do it. This is how I break a succesful vacancy down for you:

1)Colombia
2) Non IB (because you cant teach MYP 4&5, and forget DIP). In other words there MYP program alone has to have a math department with at LEAST 2 teachers one to teach the higher grade math and you. You cant do it by yourself (so small schools are an option).
3) Big enough school that middle school subjects arent combo positions (such as math/science in small schools).
4) Everyone else in the candidate pool is the same or less qualified then you, and that will be hard because without experience (your all newbies), if anyone has a degree in math or a 6-12 certificate, id hire them.

I think primary is the better option for you if I had to pick one of those. If you can student teach at a IB school in PYP, that would be the best case scenario.
You may consider a middle school generalist as well which is math, literature, humanities, and science. The tests arent too hard, because the test is integrated so weakness in one area (math) can be compensated with by a strong performance in the others, and it still qualifies you to teach middle school math.

Middle school math you would have to teach yourself? I dont want to offend you, but you did complete middle school math, and some high school math, and a course or two in college right? Your basically talking, fractions, basic geometry (volume, area, etc) and pre algebra (5x+2=27, solve for X)... I would think you could get a copy of "math for dummies" and be fine.

That said middle school math by itself is not going to get you hired. When international schools look for a math teacher they want someone that can teach K-12, SL/HL (thats Standard level, and Higher Level IB), and/or AP (Advance Placement) math. Thats why its in such high demand. If you want to teach "just middle school" your looking more at being a middle school generalist and if your going to be a generalist you might as well do elementary.
Even if you do get certified in math, how are you going to impress a recruiter that you actually have expertise experience in teaching math. You really should consider what your education and background is in, and then pursue that as a teacher, since you will actually be in a position to demonstrate to a head that you would have something to offer the students. I have a california clear certificate in EVERY (ok not every foreign language) single subject and a multi classroom certificate, and special ed certificate, and even though im certified in music, I would never teach it. I would be doing a disservice to my students.
Internationally the teaching market isnt that bad for those in the arts, and less demand teaching subjects.

You dont HAVE to have a certificate in hand, but I assume you want to actually get hired. Its not impossible and there is a school/job for anyone if you will accept anything, but if your a newbie at a job fair with no experience, no education degree, AND your not certified, why would they hire you, since you cant even say your a teacher, and there are interns with more competitive credentials? What would you talk about at the interview? You like working with kids, and your certified, then what?

You must be "Highly Qualified" under NCLB, either you need to have taken the state certification exam or have a degree major (with 24 hours) in the subject to do your field experience.

Field Experiences vary. Typically an Internship is a year (9-10 months), and student teaching, or clinical teaching is a semester (12-16 weeks).

You really need to start on this now. You typically cant find fast AND cheap, the more of one the less of the other. A PGCE, from the UK doesnt have a field experience outside some classroom observations, and there are online programs that will let you do them anywhere you can get access to a classroom, but as a foreign student you will pay 10K£ easy. You can find programs through UoP and Concordia that are "fast, but you will pay $10K-$20K. You can find low cost under $5K programs but if they are fast they are set up for local training. There is a cost either way.

You need fast and cheap, but what you need MORE then that is focused and marketable. The fastest cheapest certification wont mean anything if it doesnt get you hired. Your focused on Columbia, you should train in a SACS state. You should try to find an IB school, and you should pursue certification in what you know. if you do those things the training will move fast, you will ace your subject certification tests, will be highly successful and get recommendations from your field experience (which is more likely to happen if you know your subject), all those things will get you a "JOB". A certification without those is a conversation starter, nothing more.

I hope and think your going to get a lot of responses, because everyone has their favorite, and anyone who went through an alternative certification program, tends to think theres was good (or at least good enough). My comments then are what should be some important factors to an international teacher in choosing an ACP:

Accreditation: It should go without saying that what ever program you use is recognised by your state to certify teachers, and will permit you to obtain an actual state teaching certificate/license. Some programs, will advertise that they are certification programs, but all they really are selling is online classes, that may "lead" to teacher certification, though another school or agency. Some programs will advertise being a certification program, but its their own in-house certificate, which is essentially worthless.

Field Experience: Whether its an internship, student teaching or some hybrid of the two. Many programs are set up for mentoring evaluating your field experience locally. They hire retired teachers or admins to observe you and since the vast majority want to teach in the state and local city they are in, thats where they are set up to do your field evaluations. Many programs because of the recession, and falling demand for teachers are becoming more flexible about allowing outside/external/third parties do mentoring, and typically require an arrangement with your principal to mentor evaluate you. A number of international schools (including DoDDS) hire interns, but you need to make sure the program will accommodate an out of area/overseas field experience. Internships are generally a year and student teaching is generally a semester. The advantage of the semester field experience is that if you do it during the fall, you can be done by December with certification in hand in time for recruiting season.
If possible you should try to find a field experience at an IB school, it cant hurt you, and having been at an IB school will make you more competitive in a group full of newbies.

Coursework: Unless you really want face to face training, the online option is the way to go. You should be able to access the training coursework 24/7 and it should be at your own pace. Some training programs will put a limit to how fast you can go through the training, which can significantly effect your progress. You should be entitled to complete this training as quickly as possible, and ideally over the summer, so that you can start your field experience in the fall.

Testing: Unless your seeking certification locally and can show up for testing at a local administration site, states and programs that use the Praxis test are the way to go. They have testing centers all over the country, and importantly have testing overseas as well. This is an issue because usually the program requires you to do testing in stages (praxis II first, then praxis I). A program that permits you to take it at your convenience is an advantage. States that have their own testing usually only offer testing within the state, and even if in a couple surrounding states, dont have testing overseas. This requires scheduling expensive, long trips to test. This signifigantly raises the overall cost of the program.

Fingerprinting: Many states require fingerprints and a background check for admission/completion of their program. Some states use livescan, some use finger print cards. Typically the standard FBI fingerprint card in duplicate. Your program/state may send out cards (pre-coded with their agency) by mail, or you can download them here

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/backgr ... nload/file

The main issue is finding out how to have them done. Sometimes if you live close enough you can have them done at a military base or consulate/embassy. Sometimes you can have them done by the local police (bring a friend to translate). My advice is to do it before you leave overseas.

Cost/Time: A certification program shouldnt take longer then a year (9 months) maximum, and 6 months or less is realistic. Reasonable program costs should be between $3,000 to $5,000.

Professional Development (PD): Many teachers encounter this problem. Some states have requirements that you must complete so many hours of professional development to renew your certification. Typically these states also impose requirements on what they will accept as professional development. While they all will usually accept college/university classes/credit hours, some of them will only accept PD training from specific providers, and most of these are only likely to be local options. This raises a problem, when you go to renew your certificate and find out that most of your PD isnt acceptable. The other issue is documenting your PD, some schools are very bad at providing any type of documentation, and even then PD for a particular school may only be a handful of hours a year. Some states do offer online PD options, but given the limited number of hours, you have to be diligent about doing it every year. My advice is to simply choose a state that doesnt require PD, which is why a number of teachers move their certification to California, as they do not require PD to renew the CLEAR certificate.

There is another very recent thread you may wish to read here.

http://internationalschoolsreview.com/v ... php?t=2271

No most of them are past co workers. Most expats i meet when socializing arent even teachers. I tend to avoid the dingy places, though was at an AMAZING event back over new years that was in a building that was under construction, and Ive had some of the best food in my life at little whole in the wall places and stalls that its hard to say if they even exist. I just remember this incident because as they were talking about this plan of their they suddenly got really quite, and looked at each other. I remember the hairs on the back of my neck rising, and then i said "Oh sorry man excuse me" as I passed gas, they all broke out laughing, we had another round, then left.

@dutchschultz

Which is why I wrote its a whole separate thread and issue. I am not a global property agent. While the couple is interested in Sk and Japan, and they could own property there Japan is much, much harder.

@autumnrain

DoDDS isnt expanding in Europe. 2 schools closed in germany this year and more are slated for closure. The growth at some schools is simply absorbing the excess teachers/students, meaning less vacancies for CONUS hires. The european mission is overall shrinking, meaning lower overall enrollments.
No one knows what will happen in SK, those schools arent being staffed until 2014, and short of a very accurate crystal ball, no one can predict what will happen. Thats one of the problems with buying as well. If your school/bases closes and you get excessed and then have to be transfered your stuck with a house you cant live in (even if you stay in europe, you wont be local anymore).

Theres nothing bad about it, its just so inconvenient. First of all Florida has its own teacher tests the FTCE & FELE. They are only offered in Florida, so youve got to go to florida to take them. Unlike the praxis tests which are offered world wide

http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/PRAXIS/l ... _intl.html

Its not offered in S.Korea, but it is offered in Japan which is like next door to SK, much closer and cheaper then flying back to the states.
The following states use the Praxis:
Alabama
Arkansas
Washington DC
Hawaii
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
New Jersey
New Hampshire
North Carolina
Ohio
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Virginia
West Virginia
North Dakota
Wisconsin

A 9 month online program for just certification is a long time, you might as well do a Masters once you add field experience. For example there is a certification program in texas (http://www.texasteachers.org/how-it-works/) that offers all online seminars at your own pace (a month if you wanted to be fast), that you could finish easily over the summer, and then do a one semester/12 week clinical/student teaching (http://www.texasteachers.org/clinical-teaching/). The program fee is $4200, the down side, Texas has its own tests, that you have to take in Texas.
For an online certification program you shouldnt spend more then a year at most, and that includes field experience. 6 months or less should be and is more realistic (depends on the field experience). The time line is to spend the summer doing your coursework, and tests, and then your field experience in the fall so that your DONE by December, because thats the primary recruiting for next year (2013/21014) will start (the big job fairs are in January/February). Technically recruiting starts in November, but you want to have certificate in hand when you apply to those schools, and attend those fairs. If you wait until the end of spring/summer until your certified there wont be much left, and since you have a very focused job target (colombia) you need as much time and opportunities on your side.

You want to teach in Colombia which at American type schools are primarily SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) accredited, which means they usually adapt their curriculum, so getting certified in one of those states would make you more familiar with their pedagogy/methodology/curriculum (of which Florida is one of them)

I cant tell you which program to go into, there are SO many different programs, and I dont know what your needs are.

"The lottery is a tax on people who dont understand statistics", and it applies here as well. You could wait forever and never get hired as a couple (the same could be said about getting hired individually). Your approach should be about "getting in" not holding out to hit the jackpot. You cant REALLY apply as a couple anyway, all that rally happens is when you each are filling out your own separate applications you indicate a teaching/applying spouse on the application.

The salary, allowances, and benefits for just one of you will allow you to live a very comfortable life.

There are plenty of math teachers with experience, given the math pool of plenty is smaller then the social studies pool, no principal in DoDDS is desperate, they have choices and realistically better ones then you (there are also worse candidates as well).

You will likely be very limited to purchase a home depending on the country you live in. Its a whole separate issue/thread. In general you have to have PR (Permenant Residency) to own property, you dont usually get that under SOFA.

Why the florida teach ready program? One florida has its own set of tests, unlike praxis which you can take world wide?

There are shorter (MUCH shorter, an ACP program should take longer then a year, and a semester/summer is doable), cheaper, and more efficient alternative certification programs. You also want to student teach at an IB school, or at the very least an american school that offers AP.

If you had to pick one, math. Of course both is better (the math & physics/chemistry is a popular combination.

Dont try as a couple, apply seperatly you have a better probability of one of you being selected that way.

LQA = Living Quarters Allowance. DoDDS pays your rent, utilities, fees, etc for you basically. Some people have to live in base housing, some can choose to live in base housing and most live off base, and LQA is the money and process by which those are provided/payed for you.

Your still a long, long shot, a DoDDS position is like winning the lottery, you can really think of it as your main plan/plan A.

No I meant Kazakhstan, they arent going to point out the grey/black market exchangers to a foreigner, unless you REALLY know them well. Its not a very big side market either was my impression, mainly large currency transactions that wont attract FINCEN. They were just some military contractor types I was having some drinks with while watching a game. The idea was that hard currency was more desirable, so they would get it in HK and then trade it to a group of money changers. Locals had a harder time getting USD, GBP, etc.

Your chances are better for one of you being hired, most likely your hubby. Its not anywhere near a sure thing. Math teachers have waited years, to get hired, and you two dont have very much experience. You CAN apply as a couple, but you shouldnt, with your resumes its going to stall your selection, since elementary is usually filled locally as a local hire.

That said it doesnt hurt to apply, and costs very little. Its technically too late for this upcoming year, but with math a high needs area you might get lucky. Its really a misnomer that anything outside special education is in "high" demand in DoDDS. They have so few schools and so many applicants, who all have advance degrees, multiple qualifications, and a decade or so of experience to choose from. DoDDS can afford to be picky in everything really.

In the short term the best advice is to add additional areas of qualifications. Go over your transcripts and see what you can add with a few credit hours here and there. Most of the postions that are hard to fill, are odd qualification combos, Like art and math...

Really, how often do you have to change currency? It's small, and it's black market, why bother yourself with it, or spend the time looking if you can just use a bank ( which I already wrote about). No it's my own experience, when I was in HK met some military that mentioned it.

@ringler24

Identifying where my source is/what they do would pretty much be identifying them. This is an anonymous internet forum, if you want verifiable/credible information then visit;

www.dodea.edu

or call HR/HQ at +1-703-588-3983.

@ringler24

No, i dont reveal personal sources.

@sevarem

You dont have to be in the USA when you apply/or are hired. DODEA/DoDDS qualifications are based entirely on credit hours. Having a certificate gets you a 50% discount on the number of credit hours you need. Typically 24 for middle school and 30 for secondary. ESL is in high demand, as the requirements are pretty high. Math is also in high demand though not as much as ESL or SPED.

Its hard to find paired vacancies, most elementary positions are local hires, and with DoDDS shrinking, excessed teachers are going to reduce the availability of CONUS positions even further. Even then the candidate pool is saturated, there are a lot of teachers with advance degrees, a decade of experience who wait year after year for a DoDDS position and never get one. The likliehood of both of you being hired together is near impossible. More then likely one of you would be hired and the other one as a trailing spouse.

Personally, I dont think the odds are in your favor, you just dont have a lot of experience compared to other candidates, and by the sounds of it very little in a typical american classroom. DoDDS schools are more like public schools then private schools that you find at international schools.