Special Education Degree

b12r · Post by **b12r** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 5:25 pm

Hello! I was needing some help/advise. I am a recent graduate with a BS in SPED able to teach k-12 (I also have my teaching certificate). I have been interested in teaching abroad for several years but did not know the proper steps to take. I know I am virtually to late in the game for the upcoming school year in August. My question is I only have 1 year of teaching experience (come May) and would it be better to attempt to teach in an International School next year or try and teach English as an ESL teacher or something similar.

Some more background I am an inclusion teacher in the high school setting. I was awarded Head of the Special Service Department at my school with zero experience. How challenging is it to obtain a job abroad as a Special Education major?

Thanks for the assistance!

vettievette · Post by **vettievette** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 6:53 pm

Hi there - I'm a school counselor who works closely with our Learning Support (SPED) team and quite familiar with this process. Like counselors, you'd be considered a specialist - but in high regard. DO NOT go into TEFL or ESOL teaching, you need to beef up your experience in your specialized field and 1 year of doing that would be good, particularly under your title as head of the department. Familiarity of working with a variety of learning needs is key - dyslexia, dyscalculia, psych referrals, etc.

A lot of schools would call your position Learning Support or Resource. At the secondary level, you could be doing a lot of "push-in" in the classrooms and some pull out - depending on the size and needs of the school.

b12r · Post by **b12r** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 11:01 pm

Thanks for the response. So ISS schools value work experience in the field over ESL abroad?

Also how frequent are the SPED jobs available? Are they more frequent than regular teaching or about the same?

Overhere · Post by **Overhere** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 11:44 pm

There are far fewer SPED positions than classroom positions. Our school as 35-40 classroom teachers and 3 SPED positions and classroom experience is far more valuable than ESL experience in the eyes of recruiters.

b12r · Post by **b12r** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 11:52 pm

Oh I am aware there are fewer SPED position in a school. In my current school in America we have 6 SPED teachers with 45 regular teachers.

How is trying to find a SPED position however? Is it more challenging or easier?

vettievette · Post by **vettievette** » Mon Jan 13, 2014 3:48 am

It's easier in the sense that you will not have as many job postings to compete for, but harder in the sense that it's so specialized that there is more variation across the schools and how each interprets the role. So yes, you'll be much more competitive staying where you are and building your experience vs. ESOL teaching which is not considered "true" pedagogical experience in the schools' eyes.

Briz · Post by **Briz** » Mon Jan 13, 2014 4:00 am

I befriended someone at the ISS fair who had many years of teaching esl in korea, a masters in Tesol and had a VERY hard time getting offers because they did not have 2 years experience. I would secure that first before pursuing IS work.

b12r · Post by **b12r** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 2:35 pm

Thanks you guys for the help guys!

My wish is to teach abroad whether it be in an ISS school (preferable) or as an ESL teacher of some type. Does anyone have any advice on avenues I should explore to obtain this for the upcoming school year in August.

Thanks in advance guys!

DCgirl · Post by **DCgirl** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 5:58 pm

[quote="b12r"]Thanks you guys for the help guys!

My wish is to teach abroad whether it be in an ISS school (preferable) or as an ESL teacher of some type. Does anyone have any advice on avenues I should explore to obtain this for the upcoming school year in August.

Thanks in advance guys![/quote]

I think your best shot would be to go to the UNI fair that starts at the end of the month. The registration is open until Jan. 21, so you would have to move super quickly. There are schools there that would probably give you a chance. I would also register for TIEonline. You also may be able to get into a later Search Associates fair if you register.

There are plenty of Learning Support/Special Ed jobs to go around. It's not as common as it is in the US, but it's being recognized as a growing need. Many schools will use the position to place a teaching partner or an internal candidate-even without special education credentials.

If you want to go the ESL route, I would check Dave's ESL cafe.

vettievette · Post by **vettievette** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:58 pm

[quote="DCgirl"][quote="b12r"]Thanks you guys for the help guys!

My wish is to teach abroad whether it be in an ISS school (preferable) or as an ESL teacher of some type. Does anyone have any advice on avenues I should explore to obtain this for the upcoming school year in August.

Thanks in advance guys![/quote]

I think your best shot would be to go to the UNI fair that starts at the end of the month. The registration is open until Jan. 21, so you would have to move super quickly. There are schools there that would probably give you a chance. I would also register for TIEonline. You also may be able to get into a later Search Associates fair if you register.

There are plenty of Learning Support/Special Ed jobs to go around. It's not as common as it is in the US, but it's being recognized as a growing need. Many schools will use the position to place a teaching partner or an internal candidate-even without special education credentials.

If you want to go the ESL route, I would check Dave's ESL cafe.[/quote]

I agree with signing up for the UNI fair and going if you can and on the flipside, why the rush to just teach TESOL or ESL? With your credentials, you can be making more money as a certified Learning Support/SEN teacher in an international school with all the ex-pat benefits vs. an English program. If you're not prepared to go to UNI or a Search/ISS fair just yet, I'd wait until next year where more opportunities become available and sign up for the Search Cambridge or ISS Boston fairs if you're coming from the States. Getting into teaching abroad is not just a financial investment, but also an investment of time. Taking the time to look at all your options - particularly when you already have a state credential w/ supervisory responsibilities - will be more rewarding in the end, IMHO.