Getting married to non-teacher and recruiting

[global_nomad]

Good Morning Everyone,

I am an experienced IS educator working in a specialist position that (luckily) always seems to have more openings than qualified candidates. I've worked at several Tier 1 schools and now am looking to my next posting for next recruiting season and how to plan accordingly to get the best position possible. I am single and have always secured good jobs easily; however, This time around I have a long-term (local) boyfriend with whom I plan to marry in the next few years. This is the issue I am pondering- Should I:

1. Recruit next year as a single (where I'm pretty sure I can secure a top job as usual) and then get married after I start my new job? I would then have my partner join me at my new location/school 6-12 months after I start.

or

2. Just "bite the bullet", get married, and then go recruiting as an educator with a trailing spouse? I feel that this 2nd option would eliminate some really good jobs and as a result, am very hesitant to do this.

Has anyone been in a similar predicament? I love my international school career and want to continue as long as possible, but in quality schools. The plan is that my partner would get certified to teach after we get married (thus, turning us into a teaching couple), but that is at least 4-5 years away and I am certain I want to leave my current school after next school year.

I would appreciate any feedback.

[buffalofan]

Either get married beforehand or just be up front with the schools about your impending marriage. Schools don't like surprises of this nature and depending on the country you end up going to it may or may not be possible to bring your SO along 6 months later, even if you do get married.

From what I have seen on the circuit a trailing spouse is not that big of an issue. It is when you have a trailing spouse AND have a school-aged child that things may start to get difficult.

If a school won't hire you solely because your spouse is not a teacher, you probably don't want to work at that school anyway.

[shadowjack]

6 of 1, 1/2 dozen of another. You are planning to get married. Your trailing spouse is planning on becoming a teacher, too. Some things to consider. Does your trailing spouse already have a university degree? Is the degree in an area that would back up his teaching area as well? What is his plan/path to teaching?

If you are going to get married, get married. If you are going to go recruiting, go recruiting. If you are not yet married, then you are under no obligation (unless asked) to share the fact you are planning to get married. However, as buffalofan says, it can complicate your life down the road, either way.

The point raised is valid, though. Do you want to be working at a school where you will be looked down upon for having a trailing spouse?

Good luck with your choice - I once had a trailing spouse - now she teaches. However, we are both the same nationality and had been overseas many many years before her transition into teaching.

[fine dude]

Only bottom tier schools in second-rate cities would look down. Don't listen to the naysayers. Why would you want to work at those schools anyway? If you research and pick the right country/city, your would-be could be creatively employed in a non-teaching position at the same school or locally as he works on his teaching credential. So, if you have the right credentials and solid IB/AP experience, try to aim at big, established schools in cosmopolitan cities, where expat spouses are allowed to work on dependent visas. It is doable. Hong Kong and Singapore are perfect examples.

[wrldtrvlr123]

I would agree. Any school that you would want to work at would consider a non-teaching spouse to be virtually a non-issue so you would not likely be missing out on any plum assignments by getting married.

So, get married or not based on your desires and personal timeline rather than career considerations.

[senator]

If you love the man, get married! EASY question.

Why do so many of you IS teachers put your jobs above your personal happiness? I think it's because you have worked at so many Tier 1 schools - you've become brainwashed by the system of school above all else. Indoctrination complete.

[global_nomad]

Thanks for all of your thoughtful replies so far. Perhaps I have over-estimated the effect a non-teaching spouse can have on job opportunities.

[PsyGuy]

Absolutely option 1, wait to get married until holiday break in your first year.

A major issue could be the nationality of your spouse, depending ont he region or IS, they may not know how or want to or be able to get a visa for your spouses entry, and with so many applications received at elite tier ISs your application may be perceived as more trouble than its worth.
Elite tier ISs have less of a financial issue with a a trailing spouse, but trailing spouses cost more, and fall belowe Teaching Couples and then Teaching Singles why take more risk with no benefit and a small possibility of serious consequences.

Elite tier ISs have published policies regarding marriages, I cant think of an Elite tier IS that would dismiss you for getting married. The IS leadership is going to follow that policy and then move on to the other 100 items on their list. Examine that policy in advance and you will be fine without any negatives.

You will also be giving up some nice benefits getting married before your start in your appointment. Getting married should give you about a week+ for the wedding and honeymoon, in addition to gifts fromt he board, your HOS, division principal and the faculty pooled gift.

[vandsmith]

i have to agree with psyguy on this one. wait a little but to be sure you like your job at least. getting married and then going overseas can be hectic. and i can almost guarantee his last 2 sentences! nice perk, great way to get to know staff as well.

congrats and good luck!

v.

[shadowjack]

Hmmm. I've never heard that getting married gets you a week off and gifts. At least it's never happened at any of the schools I've been at. Which schools offer that benefit - it might be helpful to the OP.

[global_nomad]

My experience is the same as Shadowjack's. None of the 5 schools I've worked for offered any type of "marriage benefit" where you get time off or gifts from the board. My colleagues who have married usually scheduled it for a break or perhaps could cash in some personal days. There might have been one who was forced to take days off (w/o pay). The only gifts they would received, as far as I know, was from the division's social committee (after collecting volunteer contributions from staff). Would love to know which schools offer this benefit.