Which is better in the long run?

[Sunnyskies]

I'm trying to focus my job search/current options and was curious what people thought was better in the long term in terms of marketability: a high school position (with the potential for an AP) if I've currently only done middle school, but am certified for 5-12; or an MYP or DP position and if I cannot find one, stay at my MYP school here in the USA.

A bit of background: I'm new to international teaching but not to international living (grew up in the international school system). I have 5 years experience with grades 6-8, a masters and teach science; but I also have a trailing spouse. I always planned to get into international teaching and would like to do it for the long haul, so I'm trying to be strategic about long-term marketability. Which leaves me questioning, is better get international as a teacher & teach HS, but not IB in a tier 2 school or do I hold out and try and find an IB school that fits and if I don't just stay put since I currently am at an IB school (ableit a state-side one)?

Thanks for your thoughts!

[wrldtrvlr123]

I'm sure that opinions will vary. Mine is that it is kind of a wash but would lean towards getting out there and logging some int'l experience.

You have a good background/experience in IB (presuming you have also had the training). If you take a HS position in an American(ish) style int'l school then you are adding an age group and curriculum to your experience which will expand your potential range of future schools (and there are 1st tier/Elite schools that are non-IB schools).

You could stay where you are and wait for a good IB school for a year and would be one year in IB better off, but would still not have any int'l school experience. How long do you stay where you are and wait?

If you are fine waiting a year or two than do so. You would seem to be a strong candidate for a good school that offers MYP and something should open up. Also consider are you married to MYP or would you like to experience other programs, other age groups, etc.

As for a trailing spouse, it's not as great as a teaching couple or single teacher but it's almost a non-factor with any decent to great school and any school that would rule you out because of it is not worth your consideration.

[PsyGuy]

IB is important in an ITs career because IB ISs comprise a significant number of second tier ISs. Second tier bridges 3rd tier too 1st tier and so moving through the second tier is greatly aided by having IB. You have IB though only at MYP. You next major goal is to get SLL experience whether AP, DIP, IGCSE or A* or even just senior school experience in a NC SLL program, you need to bridge into higher year/grade levels. Being only a lower secondary DT/IT is going to be a challenge and thus reduced opportunities for you. Recruiters generally expect a secondary IT to be able to handle all secondary years in their subject matter and depending on your subject there are other candidates that can and the desirability of the region may have many candidates who can. Moving into SLL in any curriculum (IB would be preferred) within IE is the next step for you, if you cant do that in IE, then SLL in DE is the next best option. If SLL level isnt an option available to you than moving into IE at any level is preferred to staying in DE (unless there is some kind of TLR or leadership opportunity in the near future)

International living is worth very little in IE. Having a trailing spouse is a negative compared to single and teaching couple ITs, but its manageable to the point that the ISs your likely going to be marketable too wont care much about it, and its better than having kids.

[Sunnyskies]

Thanks to you both for the opinions. They are helpful to consider in my next steps.

[shadowjack]

At a former school they are still looking for a science teacher for MYP/DP Chem. Your big problem is that because it is DP and you have no HS experience teaching chemistry to grade 11/12, they wouldn't look at you.

The trick, as PG says, is to get that experience, in either a regular or DP school. The other trick, as WT says, is to get out there.

The third consideration is use next year to get your spouse certified through TeachNow or similar program and then head out as a teaching couple to a lower tier school and start working your way up.

Three options, all of which have various positives and negatives. Good luck!

[PsyGuy]

@SJ

Wouldnt need a full skills EAP/ITT, and assessment based bath would get the spouse a credential in a couple days. My impression was tht the trailing spouse didnt want to really do the teaching thing just to be more marketable.
That and there are more than just three options, one of which is to simply try and see what happens with no real changes. the LWs skill set isnt ideal but its certainly marketable at some tier level.

[Sunnyskies]

Yes, PG's assumption that he doesn't wish to teach is correct. He's on the path for a career that has lots of remote work options so that he can be flexible with essentially wherever I choose to go with IT.

I have seen several positions similar to the one at your former school, SJ, and was told by one recruiter to get some HS experience first. Good to know that's the mentality for many (if not most) schools.

WT comment (supported by both PG and SJ) that the difference is probably a wash in the long-run is what I am going with. I decided to take a HS position with a non-IB IS. Thank you again for weighing in.