Lately, I've been thinking about going back to the States. Mainly family reasons - parents getting older; husband would like to live there (he's a British Citizen) etc. I would like to hear from those who have done this or have tried going back. Were you able to find a job? Being from Illinois I did not have to do continuing education courses to keep my certificate registered (just pay the $25), so I am worried about not have the right endorsements. I was fine when I left (pre-Bush and pre-NCLB) but I'm not sure I am qualified now. What about salaries? I've got more than 20 years experience, will they count? The thing is, I don't want to start the process (give up my job and home here) when I am not really employable back home. I know I am employable in the international circuit, but that’s not the same. What is wanted in the international system might not be wanted in the States.
Any insights, suggestions, advise would be very welcome
Going home again
Going home
I'm now teaching in Illinois, after being overseas. I know many teachers who try and come back and are unhappy. Teaching in the US after 20 years overseas is going to be tough. Emphasis on standardized testing, unions, unmotivated kids, underfunding- all that's going to be a reality. Plus you'll be going to Illinois- a state with a less than stellar record of supporting education.
As far as endorsements- you're lucky you are a Math teachers. They're in demand and many schools take what they can get. Competitive schools though can be particular. I'm teaching in the Chicagoland area. They say there is a teaching shortage. There's a teaching shortage in schools no one wants to teach in. The 'good' school here have more than enough teaching applicants.
The 'good' schools here can compare with 'good' international schools, but IMHO opinion, barely. I have kids and would choose a good international school and everything that comes with it over a good school in the US.
As far as credit for experience, that is up to the HR department you apply to. Many play games and I'd be surprised if you get 20 years on a salary ladder. Be prepared to take a job at a less desirable school to get in.
I'd seriously weight the pro's and cons. Can you take a sabbatical from your current job and stay a year in the US and test the job market?
As far as endorsements- you're lucky you are a Math teachers. They're in demand and many schools take what they can get. Competitive schools though can be particular. I'm teaching in the Chicagoland area. They say there is a teaching shortage. There's a teaching shortage in schools no one wants to teach in. The 'good' school here have more than enough teaching applicants.
The 'good' schools here can compare with 'good' international schools, but IMHO opinion, barely. I have kids and would choose a good international school and everything that comes with it over a good school in the US.
As far as credit for experience, that is up to the HR department you apply to. Many play games and I'd be surprised if you get 20 years on a salary ladder. Be prepared to take a job at a less desirable school to get in.
I'd seriously weight the pro's and cons. Can you take a sabbatical from your current job and stay a year in the US and test the job market?
More than teaching
Overseas teaching also had many benefits outside of the classroom- as any int'l teachers realize. Teachers in the States don't make enough money to take the annual home leave trips overseas teacher come to expect. When living overseas my wife and I traveled throughout SE Asia, summered in Italy and planned on Paris. Over the Nov break we rented a villa on a private island in the South China Sea. Over Winter break we went to Thailand.
Most teachers in the Chicagoland area dream of doing one of those things- once. Over the summer many get second jobs. When I was a teacher I got $1000 every 3 years for prof development. My pay ladder stopped at a Master's degree. My union dues were $700 per year- and I can't tell you what I got for it.
Your overall standard of living will fall. IMHO the richness, diversity, experiences that you get from living overseas is lost. Be prepared for that.
However as someone with aging parents, and seeing US teachers with the ability to retired at 75% of salary at 55, there are benefits. It just seems that most US teachers wait until they're retired to 'live'. Overseas teachers don't.
Most teachers in the Chicagoland area dream of doing one of those things- once. Over the summer many get second jobs. When I was a teacher I got $1000 every 3 years for prof development. My pay ladder stopped at a Master's degree. My union dues were $700 per year- and I can't tell you what I got for it.
Your overall standard of living will fall. IMHO the richness, diversity, experiences that you get from living overseas is lost. Be prepared for that.
However as someone with aging parents, and seeing US teachers with the ability to retired at 75% of salary at 55, there are benefits. It just seems that most US teachers wait until they're retired to 'live'. Overseas teachers don't.
http://www.english-schools.org/USA/ gives a list of international schools in the USA - I'm guessing these schools would value your experience. You say your husband is a British citizen - is he a teacher - the "British" schools on the list might suit him. It is a big step - UK teachers working abroad can live like kings and queens whether they are earning a fraction of a UK salary, the same salary in a cheap country, and a tax free salary plus benefits at one of the better paying overseas schools can mean effectivley double what they earn at home plus cheap living. I imagine it's pretty much the same story for US teachers. But what you do have over those that never ventured overseas is the knowledge that your move "home" to the states doesn't necessarily have to be forever. Teachers salaries aren't great anywhere (except Switzerland and maybe some other exceptional places) but two salaries is enough to live on and have some fun - and it doesn't have to be forever!!!
British school Chicago
Definitely check the British School in Chicago- very good, private and new. They also like Brits :)
Thank you so much for the opinions and insights so far. Unfortunately, my husband is not a teacher, so some overseas post are out of bounds. I've only been overseas for 12 years, taught in the States for 10 before going adventuring, so I do remember the unmotivated, the When-am-I-ever-going-to-use-this-stuff questions, the ones with the Just Want to Get Out of Here attitude. But after a while you do forget some of the bad things, so thank you for reminding me about the reality of teaching in the States. Reality does bite. But there are some good with the bad. Although I hate standardized testing, I would love to have the opportunity to be a member of a union again.
As far as traveling goes, my husband really wants to see the States. You see, to him, that would be an adventure. Now as to all that money you make when you are an overseas teacher. Only in some schools. And if you have stayed too long (like me) you go on local salary! Yikes, taxes are now being paid by you and you no longer get the housing allowance. So for me, staying here is not as financially rewarding as it once was. However, having said that, I still don't want to go where I am worse off!
JISAlum - you are in the Chicago area, and know it well. Do you know how it is downstate?
Does anyone out there know if my Ill Certificate will work in other states?
Again, thank you so much for the info. mobydick - I'll be looking up that site you sent.
You've just got to love this forum!
As far as traveling goes, my husband really wants to see the States. You see, to him, that would be an adventure. Now as to all that money you make when you are an overseas teacher. Only in some schools. And if you have stayed too long (like me) you go on local salary! Yikes, taxes are now being paid by you and you no longer get the housing allowance. So for me, staying here is not as financially rewarding as it once was. However, having said that, I still don't want to go where I am worse off!
JISAlum - you are in the Chicago area, and know it well. Do you know how it is downstate?
Does anyone out there know if my Ill Certificate will work in other states?
Again, thank you so much for the info. mobydick - I'll be looking up that site you sent.
You've just got to love this forum!
Other states
As far as using your IL certificate in other states, I only know that you can usually use certificates from other states in IL (see: http://www.isbe.net/certification/pdf/o ... mption.pdf)
In terms of downstate employment, I'm familiar with the Peoria and Bloomington area. In both cases, especially with unemployment, competition for the better schools is keen. Many former teachers that are now unemployed are looking to get back in the classroom. Also, we just got notice that the increase in CPI this year is .4%, meaning that we can't expect any increase in the funding we get from the state. So budget's are basically frozen. Any increase in staff next year will have to be done with this year's budget. Even with Obama's Education funding initiatives, many districts are freezing staffing at current levels.
In terms of downstate employment, I'm familiar with the Peoria and Bloomington area. In both cases, especially with unemployment, competition for the better schools is keen. Many former teachers that are now unemployed are looking to get back in the classroom. Also, we just got notice that the increase in CPI this year is .4%, meaning that we can't expect any increase in the funding we get from the state. So budget's are basically frozen. Any increase in staff next year will have to be done with this year's budget. Even with Obama's Education funding initiatives, many districts are freezing staffing at current levels.