The International Schools Review Forum

I've been an elementary special Ed teacher for the past 8 years, and lately I've considered looking more seriously into teaching in international schools. But I've been struggling with taking the plunge.... I really enjoy the school where I work now (and I love my city), although I'm not a huge fan of the district and general state of public education in the US. I've been looking for a new challenge though.

A little more about me- I have my state SpEd certification, Elementary Ed, Master Reading Teacher, and my National Boards certification in Exceptional Needs Specialist. I also have my Masters in Multicultural SpEd. Although most of my certifications are EC-grade 12, my only experience has been in elementary.
Most of my recent experience has been with kids on the autism spectrum, although I do have experience with students with learning disabilities and behavior disorders as well.

My first question is... While I know I'm well- qualified to teach pretty much anywhere in the US, I would really like to be able to teach at a good international school. And I'm a bit hesitant to go to a job fair... It's just a lot of money... But I'd spend it, if it was truly necessary to be considered by a good school. So, what have been your experiences in getting a good job without going to a job fair and do you think I'd have a good shot?

I should mention that I only have experience teaching EFL abroad for a couple years after college, before I returned to college to study to become a teacher. I know that doesn't really count, but I guess I have some experience living in different cultures at least!

I'm most interested in Eastern Europe or South America. I'm really not interested in the Middle East or Africa at this time.

I'm also interested in current schools with saving potential in Eastern Europe or South America.... I would have a school loan and other bills to pay back home. Is it even feasible financially to teach and live comfortably in those areas when you have bills to pay? I am single, with no children- but I'd like to still be able to enjoy myself a bit. I've looked over the forums and reviews but lots of info is oldish.

Also, does anyone have any info as to what it is like to teach SpEd in international schools? What is the demand like- are there many jobs available? What's the workload and setting typically like? The paperwork in the US can be overwhelming, but I'm no stranger to hard work, so I manage. I'm not against teaching general Ed, but I really do love teaching SpEd, so that'd be my preference.

I'm also interested in DODEA schools, but the fact that I'd have to give such short notice (because i hear they hire late?)to my current school concerns me.
I don't want to burn any bridges.

Thanks for any info you can give.

I work for a large international school and we don't have any truly special needs teachers. We have Academic Support teachers and other than that classroom teachers step in to fill the void if a student proves to have needs. I would imagine that if you do take the plunge and go international more than likely you will be a classroom teacher. Students with "special" needs may be funneled into your classroom but even that won't happen often as most school won't accept students with very obvious special needs.

You are obviously well qualified and will definitely draw interest. As to going to a fair, some will say there is no need while others have the opposing viewpoint. Personally I think they are a worthy backup.

DoDEA doesn't always hire late, it just depends on when the job opens up and HR opens up the system for us to check applicants. You could be hired as early as June, or as late as November to start for the current school year. You should consider applying, SPED is a needs area for us and we're always hiring. In fact, there's a SPED position that just opened in one of our Tokyo schools.

Of course, I can only speak from my own personal experience as a Special Education teacher. There are plenty of jobs available in Resource or Learning Support in international schools. It's not as common a position as an English or Humanities teacher but it shouldn't be that difficult to get a position. A lot of schools don't have those positions (because they weed the students out) but there are enough schools out there (particularly those associated with State Dept) to get a job. I think there are more and more schools that are recognizing the need.

I work as a Learning Support Teacher. I really, really enjoy it. Nowhere near as much paperwork here because there are no laws surrounding the process. Much more flexibility. I also am dealing with the learning issue other than behavior issues-which was huge problem in the US.

I think that you could easily find a position in a regular international school or a specialty school. There are schools in my region that specialize in working with students with disabilities that hire international teachers but don't go to fairs. So maybe you can do some research for such schools in the areas that you're interested in living.

With your experience, you'd be a good hire. Particularly because you're a single teacher with no dependants. I definitely think you will get a position somewhere but it's been my experience that you get a wider range of options at the fair. Especially since many schools make no contact prior to the fair but show interest once you show up. Some schools have larger departments and some just have a one person show. As learning support or resource some of the issues like having IB experience or international experience don't seem quite as important to the schools.

As a career-changer, I have far less experience than you do. At the last fair, I had more interviews than I could deal with. I just had to stop interviewing and I accepted a position with the one school that I skyped with before the fair. Using TIE I had some interviews for classroom teacher positions but not learning support/special education.

Good luck.

Quite right. Obviously there are fewer vacancies in Learning Support than in Math or English or Science, but there are fewer candidates for LS posts as well. A good Learning Support teacher should have no problem in scoring a job at a big recruitment fair. And the advantage is that it tends to be the better schools that have decent LS programs.
My only concern, Cbee, is your geographical preference. You would have a better chance if you were also open to jobs in the East Asia region.

Thanks for the info, everybody. Good to hear SpEd teaching can be enjoyable in international schools.
As for the DOdea schools, June or *maybe* July is as late as I would feel comfortable resigning with my current school district. Ive definitely heard of people who've been 'blacklisted' if they wait until right before school starts, and I really want to continue the good relationships I have with my supervisors. But I'll definitely consider it.
And Walter, I think you're right. I'm starting to think that considering East Asia is a good idea too, for the savings potential.
Thanks again.