The International Schools Review Forum

My husband and I are looking for jobs in 2016. My husband is a science teacher with 16 years experience. He can teach bio, chem and general science grades 5-12. He has pre-AP experience teaching 9th grade general science. The school he is at in the states is not an IB school. Is it worth it to take an IB class even though he will not get to teach it? The cost is $600. I am a tech savvy elementary school teacher with 20 years experience. What do you think? We would like to get in the best school possible in Asia or Europe. We have one 12 year old daughter coming with us.

Unfortunately when we did our job search a few years ago, it was IB "experience" schools were looking for (particularly the good schools), and didn't seem too interested in people just taking the courses. Of course, this is a catch-22 because how do you get experience if an IB school doesn't hire you?

That is true I've had experience at National level, IPC, NZ, Some common core standards, did both category 1 and 2 training and doesn't mean jack to the top school where they are only looking for prior experience. So unless you want to work in a country that is less desirable over Bottom t2/t3 then it's difficult. I'm working part time in an IB school and when they did their interviews through the fairs, the head turned around and said if I want to apply I needed to go too the job fair, but they where looking for people with prior experience. So seems to be an exclusive club to get into, but keep applying you may get lucky

I'm transitioning to the IB curriculum in my new role. I have done a great deal of reading about the IB but I don't have experience - I tried to at least get a couple of days volunteering in an IB school in my city during the holidays, but our term dates didn't work out. However, in my interview the school said they prefer to train teachers who are new to IB themselves, rather than take on teachers who pursued their own IB training (this is one of the best schools in that country, of course there are many poorer schools who may not care so much about experience). I did briefly consider it but I'm glad I didn't as it is a lot of money to invest.

Forget doing the IB - it won't count much. Find a good school that is interested in hiring and will train you both. They are out there and they do hire people with no IB experience if they feel they are the right fit.

That's how I got into an IB school :-)

Good luck!

shad

This old question - in my opinion nothing amazingly different in teaching IB and the Cat 1 courses are generally a waste of time and money - that is in reference to teachers from UK. All the educational drives and philosophy are basically the same just different labels. An outstanding teacher can teach any syllabus after reading the appropriate material - with IB the same.

Cat 1 course are aimed at third world trained teachers who tend to teach "chalk and talk" and I wish IB would create two types of Cat 1 course to better differentiate (!).

Obviously your chances are higher depending on subject wit IB - but anyone who thinks they can teach Bio and Chem at IB I am suspicious of. Generally it is a one subject specialism as the depth of knowledge/enthusiasm and practical knowledge is not sufficient. Although that is something I hate in UK and research clearly shows that subject knowledge of a teacher has the biggest impact on results.

Our new school was happy to send my husband to IB training before we fly out this summer. Didn't even seem like a factor in interviewing and being offered jobs. No idea if that is the norm, though - it is our first time out.

The rule is that no amount of training equals any amount of experience. The only benefit of IB training is slightly increased marketability over those with neither IB experience or training. That doesnt make it worth $600 which for online training I assume compares to about 15-18 hours of what a F2F workshop would be. The utility is very low, as level 1 workshops are little more than a review of the student centered meds/peds you likely were exposed to in your teacher preparation program. The only other focus is on the IB lexicon and terminology, which you can obtain by reviewing the IB OCC on your own. Level 1 workshops are really for old school teachers who focused on direct teach/lecturing/rote memorization meds/peds (chalk and talk).

@UnCloudy

That is not common, most ITs receive their mandatory training at the start of the year or midway through their 2 year contract (end of their first year).

@UnCloudy May I ask where you are going to be teaching? We are open to many areas but the unknown is making me crazy!

Thanks for all the feedback! I think we will skip the IB training and see how we do without it. Both of us have lots of teaching experience but are definitely not stuck in our ways or "chalk talk" teachers. My husband has National Board Cert. as well, probably does not mean much internationally but in the states it is hard to get and you really need to be progressive, student centered and parent/community involved. I have a MA in curriculum and instruction and lots of 1:1 implementation experience. We will just hope for the best.

Thanks PsyGuy, it didn't seem at all unusual - good to know it isn't.

@threeplustwo - we'll be on a wild Venezuelan adventure...super awesome school, somewhat terrifying city. Should be fun :)