Hi, my name is Steve and Ive returned to school to get my elementary certification with a focus on science and technology.
I am in the early stages of this new career, and was wondering for some help from experienced professionals. What would you say are the best experiences to have to teach overseas? I realize I may have to teach in the US for a few years, but the overall goal is to teach out of the country.
I would be interested in DoD schools as well as the private American system. What would be good experiences for people to have in order to get these types of positions?
I am looking to travel overseas as well, though my economic situation will play a large role in that.
Also, is there a demand or market for counselors and the like in overseas schools? I have an MSW and have previously been a therapist, though I found it very emotionally draining and finally the economics of the field have changed drastically. Hence my decision for a new career and outlook on life.
Any opinions and thoughts would be GREATLY appreciated!
Steve in Michigan
Best preperation for overseas work?
Hi Steve. As an educator with 10 years abroad and 10 years in the states I can confidently say that the two systems are very different, sometimes not in what you would expect as obvious, though.
Since you have no solid experience as a teacher, you may not fully understand what this profession is really about, aside from what the media tells you, or what you remember of your own experiences, or what you may know if you have children. Here is what I would suggest:
STATESIDE EDUCATION
With regards to stateside education, public and private, jump in there and substitute teach. I suggest this to my university level students who express excitement about going into education because it would be fun to work with kids and have lots of holidays. Teaching is so much more than that. Almost every district in my state only requires a minimum of 2 years of post high school education to qualify as a substitute teacher. That's it. As difficult as it sounds, you will learn about the system by being inside the system. And as you go through your certification work, you will be exposed to many people who could become your professional network for future jobs. I started substitute teaching and volunteering in schools my 3rd year of undergraduate school. I can't say enough about how this shaped my college experience in a dramatic way and opened many doors early in my career.
INERNATIONAL TEACHING
If you travel outside the country for any reason, make a point to visit local international schools. This could be fun and informational at the same time. Also, read, read, and read. Read ALL the articles on the home page of this site, especially written by Dr. Spilchuk. They all read true to me in many ways with regards to my decade of international teaching. Read these forums. Read the school and headmaster reviews. Subscribe to TIE newspaper http://www.tieonline.com and read the articles and research about international education. Through much reading you will get a sense of the issues, and then truths will begin to pop up while quackery falls to the wayside. Nothing compares to actual experience, yet reading will help you to paint a picture.
Whether you choose stateside education or international, I believe both systems are wonderful in unique ways. I also believe that a person who is dedicated to a career in education should not limit his / her time to one particular system or put all the eggs in one basket, so to speak. If you teach overseas, keep your stateside connections and keep abreast on your own state's issues and accreditation / certification requirements. In my experience, the better paying and respectable international schools stay aligned with stateside issues and welcome teachers who are current and well trained. Keep yourself marketable so that you will always be able to land a job that you want and enjoy instead of having to accept a job just to pay the bills.
Again, this is just one person's opinion. Hope this helps.
Since you have no solid experience as a teacher, you may not fully understand what this profession is really about, aside from what the media tells you, or what you remember of your own experiences, or what you may know if you have children. Here is what I would suggest:
STATESIDE EDUCATION
With regards to stateside education, public and private, jump in there and substitute teach. I suggest this to my university level students who express excitement about going into education because it would be fun to work with kids and have lots of holidays. Teaching is so much more than that. Almost every district in my state only requires a minimum of 2 years of post high school education to qualify as a substitute teacher. That's it. As difficult as it sounds, you will learn about the system by being inside the system. And as you go through your certification work, you will be exposed to many people who could become your professional network for future jobs. I started substitute teaching and volunteering in schools my 3rd year of undergraduate school. I can't say enough about how this shaped my college experience in a dramatic way and opened many doors early in my career.
INERNATIONAL TEACHING
If you travel outside the country for any reason, make a point to visit local international schools. This could be fun and informational at the same time. Also, read, read, and read. Read ALL the articles on the home page of this site, especially written by Dr. Spilchuk. They all read true to me in many ways with regards to my decade of international teaching. Read these forums. Read the school and headmaster reviews. Subscribe to TIE newspaper http://www.tieonline.com and read the articles and research about international education. Through much reading you will get a sense of the issues, and then truths will begin to pop up while quackery falls to the wayside. Nothing compares to actual experience, yet reading will help you to paint a picture.
Whether you choose stateside education or international, I believe both systems are wonderful in unique ways. I also believe that a person who is dedicated to a career in education should not limit his / her time to one particular system or put all the eggs in one basket, so to speak. If you teach overseas, keep your stateside connections and keep abreast on your own state's issues and accreditation / certification requirements. In my experience, the better paying and respectable international schools stay aligned with stateside issues and welcome teachers who are current and well trained. Keep yourself marketable so that you will always be able to land a job that you want and enjoy instead of having to accept a job just to pay the bills.
Again, this is just one person's opinion. Hope this helps.
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mgoblue424
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2006 5:11 pm
hi, stateside, thank you for the response. its been very informative.
actually, i find with many careers it is FAR MORE that what one imagines it to be re: work. an actor once said he gets paid for sitting around all day in a trailer and just WAITING> the actually acting hed do for free
and that was true in my past field. being a a therapist is mostly arguing with insurance companies, waiting three months ro be reimbursed, and dealing with every other headache imaginable.
the therapy part is the enjoyable stuff, and even that isnt really.
so i left it. and if i can, i will not go back.
anyway, i tried to send a PM to see if i can contact you for more, but so far it says those are not allowed. i dont know if its acceptable, but if i may contact you more re: your experiences, here is my email address: please feel free to write. it this is against the terms of the board, i apologize, but i am trying to get as much info on the overseas aspect of this career from as many people with firsthand knowledge as i can. yochimst [@] yahoo.com just swap an '@' for the [@]
actually, i find with many careers it is FAR MORE that what one imagines it to be re: work. an actor once said he gets paid for sitting around all day in a trailer and just WAITING> the actually acting hed do for free
and that was true in my past field. being a a therapist is mostly arguing with insurance companies, waiting three months ro be reimbursed, and dealing with every other headache imaginable.
the therapy part is the enjoyable stuff, and even that isnt really.
so i left it. and if i can, i will not go back.
anyway, i tried to send a PM to see if i can contact you for more, but so far it says those are not allowed. i dont know if its acceptable, but if i may contact you more re: your experiences, here is my email address: please feel free to write. it this is against the terms of the board, i apologize, but i am trying to get as much info on the overseas aspect of this career from as many people with firsthand knowledge as i can. yochimst [@] yahoo.com just swap an '@' for the [@]
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tere2147@yahoo.com
overseas
Dear go blue (I'm central Mich. maroon)
Stateside gave you outstanding advice. as far as recruiting fairs: start out like I did start with UNI in Iowa, or London, if you can afford it. They're very ethical. Sign with a head of
school who subscribes with the AISH code of recruiting ethics.
Reykjavic is cool. But it's definitely scandinavian. Socialism with a smile.
If you have a question, write me - I'm an ex-head of school in Europe. I know by 14 years personal experience where the minefields are.
Good luck,
tere
Stateside gave you outstanding advice. as far as recruiting fairs: start out like I did start with UNI in Iowa, or London, if you can afford it. They're very ethical. Sign with a head of
school who subscribes with the AISH code of recruiting ethics.Reykjavic is cool. But it's definitely scandinavian. Socialism with a smile.
If you have a question, write me - I'm an ex-head of school in Europe. I know by 14 years personal experience where the minefields are.
Good luck,
tere
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Guest
Get your paperwork and certification in order in the US, then get the hell out of Dodge. International education is so much more about teaching than is education in the US. If you care about students or your subject matter, George Bush's US is not the place to be...wait about 5-10 years for the pendulum to swing back.
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Guest
This is my first overseas teaching job, I'm working at quite a large school with staff from all over the world, and of all ages. I think your previous career experience could be a good plus for you and help you stand out from other candidates. I think many admin. would be open-minded enough to appreciate the experiences you've had, even if they haven't all been in education. You should probably expect to have to teach at least two years in the US before heading out, though some of my colleagues here have never taught in the US and were hired internationally for their first year. I agree that you've been given good advice; read, research, and learn as much as you can about your options. Also, be open-minded about where you end up; I'm living in a place I had no intention of going to and am very happy.
Good luck!
Good luck!