The International Schools Review Forum

I'm looking at schools and I'm finding something that is starting to really discourage me. It seems a lot of the schools I'm really interested in have a "prefer not" policy on teacher's with non-teaching spouses.

Can somebody explain why that is? I can understand not wanting single teacher with dependants, but what is the issue with a married teacher with a non-teaching spouse?

Schools make the most money off of a teaching couple with no children; a single hire with a non-teaching spouse is expensive for a school, because they're not "getting" anything from the spouse. I had a head of school explain it to me as thus:

It takes a school two years to break even on hiring a teaching couple with no dependents; in other words, after two years, the school has broken even on the cost of the recruiting fair, airfare for the new teaches, relocation, cost of housing, etc. After that two year period, the school starts to "make money" off of that teaching couple. Apparently, a single takes a bit less time to break even.

Contrast that with a teaching couple with two kids; the school never "breaks even," because they're always paying tuition for the two kids, and that can be expensive.

A teacher with a non-teaching spouse has someone who requires insurance, housing, visa costs, etc., and that person isn't working or putting anything into the school; thus, those couples aren't desirable hires because of financial reasons.

It isn't fair, but even non-profit schools have to look at costs.

Well, that makes sense. Thanks.

Of course, I was really hoping for an answer like, "Don't worry, they don't really mean it. In fact, they really prefer couples with non teaching spouses." lol

Hi NoOneSpecial

Although you probably don't mean it that way, it does sound a bit like you feel entitled to a job in international education. It really is all about money, remember many (not all) international schools are for profit businesses so it's the bottom line that is the final arbiter. I have a non-teaching spouse and have been on the circuit for 17 years.

A couple of things to bear in mind. There are schools that value married couples, they see them as more stable, also a number of European schools don't offer flights home and may only give you a housing allowance, so your having a non-teaching spouse isn't an issue for them, the issue for you becomes the cost of living and if you can survive on the salary.

Some schools who have to fill a position mid year may be more willing to take on teachers with a non-teaching spouse. The school doesn't have the luxury of waiting for the next round of job fairs and has to hire someone at short notice.

Look at your strengths and consider where you might be competitive. If you're an IT network specialist chances are most schools will hire you even if you have a non-teaching spouse and 2 children. If you're a primary/elementary teacher some schools won't even look at you unless your partner is a secondary Maths or Science teacher.

Remember too that at this point in time, with the economic downturn in the US/UK, there's a glut of teachers in the market. If this is your first venture 'overseas' I would suggest you start by looking at schools that usually have difficulty hiring qualified and experienced staff. Consider your first 2 year contract a 'foot in the door'. Spend the two years getting to know the international school world, talk to staff who've been around and plan your next move using that knowledge.

I am a teacher at an int. school with a non teaching spouse and a child, so it certainly can be done. Got many offers at a fair too.

Another reason, besides those mentioned, is that the package might make it difficult for two people to comfortably live on, e.g. you are working at one of the lower paying Latin schools. Factor in lifestyle choices, especially travel, and you could be really cutting it close for two people.

I'm a bit intrigued about this idea of breaking even. How do they figure that out?
Presumably they put a monetary value (above what they pay them) on the teacher's services. Is it a function of a proportion of the fees paid by the teacher's students?