Advice for a Newbie

[MidTMike]

I have a BA in English Literature, M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, 60 hours of Law School and 4 years of teaching elementary school.

BUT

That was 15 years ago and I have been traveling around the world for 15 years doing freelance work, writing, etc.

I am getting my k-6 certification back. I'll also get an ESL certificate in 2 months.

I would love Brazil but am planning on the Middle East.

After so long away, how do I get back into this?

[CaliPro]

The same way everyone gets into it. Get certified and exhaust all your job searching options (fairs, agencies, direct emailing, networking, job boards, etc)

Be flexible starting out on location.

[newchapter]

I'm new, too. Another piece of advice I have is to take any and all Skype interviews...even if you're not interested. They're good practice and you never know what can happen. I had a Skype with a school I thought I was interested in but was hesitant about something to do with the the teaching. The director was very understanding and kind..he passed my name along to a fabulous school that contacted me the very next day.

I don't have a job yet but I'm getting close!

Good luck!

[MidTMike]

Much appreciated.

I am very new back at this. Will my 15 year absence from teaching be a major drawback for most schools?

[newchapter]

I think you just have to put your hat in the ring and see what happens. It (your teaching absence) might be against you in December/January...but in April/May or later you'll probably be looking really good to a school that needs a teacher!

[Nomads]

MidTMike,

Yes, being away from the classroom for 15 years will be a drawback for most schools. There have been changes in instructional and assessment strategies (Readers/writers workshop for example). The best advice I can give is take any job you can get, gain experience and then you can go after more established schools and/or more desirable countries.