I am currently in my third year as a teacher, and I am thinking about pursuing international teaching opportunities at some point in the next couple of years. I was hoping to get some feedback on where I would currently stand, and how I could improve my standing / make myself more marketable.
Some things about me that I think are pros:
By the end of this year, I will have three years of full-time teaching experience.
I primarily have taught math (5th grade, 6th grade, this year 10th grade). I am very strong in math (can support this claim with test scores, etc.) and can teach math at any level 5th-12th.
The other subject I have taught is "Computer Science". I put this in quotes because it has been in middle schools, with tools like Scratch, code.org, Codecademy, etc. teaching basic programming concepts and HTML/CSS. Far from AP CS, though I will feel very comfortable teaching the new AP CS Principles course that is debuting next year.
I teach at the most successful charter school network in NYC. Last year, my students passed the New York state test at a rate of over 95%, vs. 30% statewide. I understand that charter schools may not have much in common with International Schools, but I hopefully the results are worth something nonetheless.
I attended Harvard for undergrad (I majored in Economics). I don't at all feel that this means I am great teacher, but I understand that schools may care about this for other reasons as well.
I have a master's degree (in General and Special Education, grades 1-6).
I have initial certification in NY.
I am very familiar with the common core standards in math.
Some things that are cons for my application:
My wife and son (currently too young to attend school) would be with me. My wife has taught in the past, but for the purpose of this post, I will assume that she will not teach.
My master's degree is not in math, nor in secondary education. It is from a pretty random college (dictated by my charter network).
I have no international teaching experience.
I have no experience with IB, or teaching AP classes.
I have taught different grades each year, and have switched from a middle school to a high school (these types of moves are very common in charters).
I understand the benefits of location flexibility when applying for teaching positions, but realistically, my family will only support this time overseas if we are in a european city. So, given the facts listed above:
1. Do you think there is any chance a school in a European city would consider me, as things currently stand?
2. What would you recommend I do to increase the probability that the answer to #1 will be yes in 2-3 years?
Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
How to become a more appealing candidate?
Re: How to become a more appealing candidate?
A few thoughts.
You are looking for a post that will support a family of 3 on one salary, and ideally provide housing and annual flights for all 3 of you. Plus free tuition for your son when he starts school, which seems likely to coincide roughly with your international move.
And you are looking specifically in Europe, which if I paint with a broad brush, is the most desirable location worldwide, has huge competition for posts, pays lower salary and benefits, and is very expensive to live in.
Your credentials are reasonably solid as a starting point and will look a little better with another few years of experience.
My advice:
Readjust your expectations about your wife. If she teaches, your chances of employment shoot up dramatically. Get her a teaching certificate if she doesn't already have one.
Readjust your family's expectations about location. It's unclear if you mean your wife and tiny son, or extended family, but really it is no one's decision but your and your wife. There are tons of fun and safe places around the world, and with far less competition and usually better pay packages. You and your wife should consider casting a wide net.
Expand your certificate to include grades 7 to 12 math, if it doesn't already.
Good luck.
You are looking for a post that will support a family of 3 on one salary, and ideally provide housing and annual flights for all 3 of you. Plus free tuition for your son when he starts school, which seems likely to coincide roughly with your international move.
And you are looking specifically in Europe, which if I paint with a broad brush, is the most desirable location worldwide, has huge competition for posts, pays lower salary and benefits, and is very expensive to live in.
Your credentials are reasonably solid as a starting point and will look a little better with another few years of experience.
My advice:
Readjust your expectations about your wife. If she teaches, your chances of employment shoot up dramatically. Get her a teaching certificate if she doesn't already have one.
Readjust your family's expectations about location. It's unclear if you mean your wife and tiny son, or extended family, but really it is no one's decision but your and your wife. There are tons of fun and safe places around the world, and with far less competition and usually better pay packages. You and your wife should consider casting a wide net.
Expand your certificate to include grades 7 to 12 math, if it doesn't already.
Good luck.
Response
A few comments first:
Three years of experience isnt an advantage. You need 2 years just to make it passed the bar into IE.
How do you know you can teach any level of math? Have you taught year 12 math for South Korean students? You dont have exam scores for anything in an School Exiting course such as DIP or A levels or AP, no offense but you cant make that claim yet. I know many math teachers from western countries who are very unprepared for upper level math in IE.
Your computer experience is basically lower secondary IT, and thats fine.
State exam results dont impress leadership and recruiters in IE, they know most states standards are very remedial. The only exam scores admins and recruiters in IE care about are IB/DIP, AP, and A levels.
The Harvard alumni is probably the best part of your resume. ISs will hire you on that attribute alone, even if you were a horrible teacher. Add your masters to that and you can be an admin without being an IT ever.
EU is going to kill you. There are EU ISs that will hire you, but with a trailing spouse and a child you will have a difficult time supporting yourself. The elite tier ISs arent going to be impressed by you, and they are the only ones that give full OSH packages that would support a family on one salary. Otherwise WE ISs dont generally come with an OSH package. You will get salary, social insurance and maybe some flights.
Otherwise I concur with Sid, you have a lot of factors against you. Everyone wants to work in WE, there is a lot of competition and the compensation packages are lower as a result. In a couple years when you have 5 years experience you will be more marketable. My suggestions:
1) I believe your certificate is already all secondary. You might consider adding a primary certificate, there is some demand for MALE specialist teachers (in subjects like math/science) at primary ISs.
2) Add a certification in IT and science (if you can). Many ISs especially small ones need a teacher who can cross teach.
3) You need School Exiting course experience, really no one cares about a math teacher who can teach lower grades, they want to know you can perform at AP/DIP/A levels. Those smaller WE ISs need someone who can do all age and ability levels.
4) I understand what Sid is trying to say as far as location goes. In reality your story is a common one, you only want to go to WE, and your not interested in Asia, but your marketability GREATLY improves if your open to other regions and location, but if its not about the job, and its about living in Europe (which I sense it is) than the marketability isnt important to you. Its Europe or bust. This is the primary reason for ITs being unsuccessful in recruiting.
5) I also agree with Sids advice regarding your wife, but this just may not be an option if she doesnt want to teach.
Three years of experience isnt an advantage. You need 2 years just to make it passed the bar into IE.
How do you know you can teach any level of math? Have you taught year 12 math for South Korean students? You dont have exam scores for anything in an School Exiting course such as DIP or A levels or AP, no offense but you cant make that claim yet. I know many math teachers from western countries who are very unprepared for upper level math in IE.
Your computer experience is basically lower secondary IT, and thats fine.
State exam results dont impress leadership and recruiters in IE, they know most states standards are very remedial. The only exam scores admins and recruiters in IE care about are IB/DIP, AP, and A levels.
The Harvard alumni is probably the best part of your resume. ISs will hire you on that attribute alone, even if you were a horrible teacher. Add your masters to that and you can be an admin without being an IT ever.
EU is going to kill you. There are EU ISs that will hire you, but with a trailing spouse and a child you will have a difficult time supporting yourself. The elite tier ISs arent going to be impressed by you, and they are the only ones that give full OSH packages that would support a family on one salary. Otherwise WE ISs dont generally come with an OSH package. You will get salary, social insurance and maybe some flights.
Otherwise I concur with Sid, you have a lot of factors against you. Everyone wants to work in WE, there is a lot of competition and the compensation packages are lower as a result. In a couple years when you have 5 years experience you will be more marketable. My suggestions:
1) I believe your certificate is already all secondary. You might consider adding a primary certificate, there is some demand for MALE specialist teachers (in subjects like math/science) at primary ISs.
2) Add a certification in IT and science (if you can). Many ISs especially small ones need a teacher who can cross teach.
3) You need School Exiting course experience, really no one cares about a math teacher who can teach lower grades, they want to know you can perform at AP/DIP/A levels. Those smaller WE ISs need someone who can do all age and ability levels.
4) I understand what Sid is trying to say as far as location goes. In reality your story is a common one, you only want to go to WE, and your not interested in Asia, but your marketability GREATLY improves if your open to other regions and location, but if its not about the job, and its about living in Europe (which I sense it is) than the marketability isnt important to you. Its Europe or bust. This is the primary reason for ITs being unsuccessful in recruiting.
5) I also agree with Sids advice regarding your wife, but this just may not be an option if she doesnt want to teach.