The International Schools Review Forum

I currently teach children with Autism (functional) (K-4) in a self-contained classroom. The 2010-2011 school year will be my second year teaching. I hold a BA in Business Administration, K-6 teaching certificate here in Kansas, and will have my MA in Adaptive Special Education in May 2011. I also have 2.5 years of para professional experience. I plan on teaching overseas, targeting the UAE during the 2011-2012 school year. Is there a need for special education teachers internationally, or should I focus on K?

From my experience most Intl schools need Sped. Ed. but don't have it.
Your experience would be valued and useful but there don't seem to be very many established programs. Sometimes ESL or Reading Specialists are given these students. UAE might be different as there are many many schools filled with local kids.
When going to the gulf do your homework on the school.
Ask to talk to a foreign hire in your division before you sign.

My experience has been different. I have worked in Int'l schools as a special education teacher in Egypt, Japan and now China. Join Search Associates, you'll get job updates every day from schools looking for some type of special education teacher. Most of them are learning support, resource etc, but still. This also includes all of the large/top schools. There are a limited number of positions at each school, but many, many schools will be looking.

Glad to hear that your expereince is different!!

I suppose the answer to your question depends on the reasons you have for wishing to teach in the Middle East. There is a desperate need for good special needs teachers in this area, even while there is a limited number of schools who are geared up to provide quality teaching in this field.

I'm lucky in that my school has special needs as its core - the whole school was built with that in mind - but in the last 3 years or so I've noticed that there is an increasing number of schools claiming to offer SN teaching and facilities, especially in and around Cairo.

Whether or not they are walking the walk is something I couldn't answer, simply because I am not sufficiently informed.

From a personal viewpoint, I'd say that there seems to be a dearth of motivated, qualified and able SN teachers and would love to think that individuals such as yourself could come into this region and help make a difference to this often-ignored section of our communities.

Best of luck whatever you do - don't forget to do as much research as possible before making a commitment; there are a lot of less than pleasant institutions out there (as well as lots of great schools, naturally!)

S