The International Schools Review Forum

I'm asking for some advice for my situation. A little about me, so you can give me your feedback...

I am an assistant principal in the US - I have a lot of experience in "high performing schools" - I also have experience working with very international populations, both in high performing schools and in more challenging, high poverty schools. I have been in administration for 6 years, after 10 years in the classroom teaching instrumental music and ESOL.

My wife and I are exploring the possibility of moving to Taiwan either in the next 2 to 5 years or closer to my retirement in roughly 10 to 15 years. Anybody out there in administration want to give me an idea of what it would take to move into an administrative position in an American school in Taiwan? Should I gain specific experiences before trying? Any feedback is welcome. Thanks!

Welcome to the forum. Im a Junior Admin here in Denmark (Im an Academic Coordinator, which is to say Im the Academic VP). Ive lived and taught in Asia for several years.

Its really not that Hard at all, given your credentials. You have the experience, and the credentials. International Schools (IS's) are nothing more then private schools, and they attract a more affluent (brighter) group of students. I wouldnt wait "too long" Taiwan has a retirement ceiling, and a school doesnt want to invest in an admin whos in the twilight of their career. American schools are usually the elite schools in a region, and they almost always hire from within, or from admins with international admin experience. Its almost unheard of for them to recruit an admin without any. The hiring process for admins is in the early fall, and is done by November (in time for teacher recruitment). The one thing you will HAVE TO get experience in is IB experience (International Baccalaureate) as its a popular curriculum, and an alternative at MANY AS's (American Schools). Some easier things you should have is AP (Advance Placement), which I imagine you have, and WASC or the California curriculum (many American Schools are WASC accredited and pretty much adapt the Cali. curriculum). Lastly, you didnt mention your wife, but what would make you really competitive is if your wife was also a teacher when it came time to applying (and you have the time). Really you just need to start like everyone else, and get a couple years of international experience at the tier 2 (maybe even tier 1) level first.

Thank you, PsyGuy. I appreciate the info. I think that might be a hard sell to my wife. My wife is a different kind of teacher - teaches piano - so probably not going to assist me in marketability. btw, PsyGuy, did you teach in Taiwan?

I certainly don't mind teaching first, but I would need to come in making enough money to support my wife and daughter (4 yo). I'm not sure that would occur. I've looked at schools in Taipei, and it looks like Taipei American School is really the only school comparable to what she would get where we live now in the States. Unless I got a job there, and tuition for her was included, I don't think it would work. If I move there at the end of my career, it wouldn't matter so much to me if I taught and never went into admin, as it would be a retirement job.

When you decide to head overseas, you will be more likely to get the school of your choice if you've been a principal (rather than vice-principal) in the U.S. If you want the same post, it will be tough since those are usually filled from within.

IB will broaden your choices but there are still plenty of schools in the world with a US curriculum that don't have IB. Top schools have trained up administrators in PYP and MYP when they were the candidate of choice.

The US accrediting agencies have split up the world. Middle States takes care of the MIddle East, WASC has Asia and SACS is in South America. I'm not sure about Europe - perhaps the New England Association.

I'd go sooner than later - it's really difficult if you're only going to focus on one country. One factor in screening principal candidates is looking at those who've already retired in the States - one wonders if they are looking to rest on their laurels or take it easy. It's all about how your sell yourself.

I taught in Taiwan but not at TAS, or even in Taipei (I was in Kaohsiung).

Im not saying YOU need to go into teaching first, im saying that as an admin you still have to start at the lower tier schools as an admin before the elite American Schools are going to notice you. Seriously, can you expect them to give you a leadership position having NEVER worked in an International School??? Its just not a likely scenario. Of course if the money is an issue and you just wont take a pay cut, you could try applying as a teacher and hope to move up after a few years, but international schools almost never hire teachers without at least 2 years international experience, and elite schools like TAs want 5 years. Im sorry there isnt a shortcut, of course there is always someone with a story on an exception being made.

International Schools (including TAS) almost always include a tuition waiver for your kids. Though again, they are reluctant to hire someone in the twilight of their career. Once you hit 50, it gets A LOT harder to break into international teaching. You might be very surprised about the caliber of the students, most american kids going to asia find themselves at a grade equivalent less in math and science, and a year ahead in language arts. Many an AP or Advance student finds themselves "average" overseas.

Honestly, I think you should try though, because whats really the cost of emailing your resume, and materials to the school and hearing back what they said. Since your really only interested in a single school, Id put together a cover letter, resume, certifications, degrees, etc into an application package and Fed Ex it to the school, if nothing happens your out $25 (Thanks to Ichiro for the idea).

Most of Europe uses the NEASC for USA accreditation and is popular in the elite "International School" in a region. For Instance the International School of Paris" is NEASC accredited. Don't underestimate the value of IB training and experience, though if your only interested in TAS they are a WASC school, with an AP program, they dont do IB, so it wont really be an issue for you.

Thanks for your replies overseasvet2 and psyguy. I didn't really think anyone would notice me as an admin in an elite school, that's why I asked the question in the first place - to find out what I need to do to get noticed... I'm currently on-track to become a principal here, so I may just wait and see how that goes and see if that helps in getting a position.

If you think there are quality schools (just not elite) that I could break in as admin in Taiwan, and they would be good for my daughter, I would consider trying before becoming a principal here, though.

Yes, I know I've got a very narrow geographical focus, but my wife is Taiwanese, and until my daughter is grown and on her own, my wife is not interested in hopping around the globe with me! The point of us moving to Taiwan would be so we were closer to her family, and my daughter can experience the Taiwanese culture, specifically.

On a different note, do you think it's worth joining a search company?

If you're set on only going to Taiwan, I'd save your money and not go the route of search agencies. Do you get to Taiwan? If I were you, I'd combine a visit to Taiwan with a job scouting mission. Often schools will be happy to interview you if you're going to be in town any way. You're fortunate because the job cycle is so different from US - most admin are hired before Christmas and I believe most US contracts are renewed in the spring.

Good luck - your daughter is fortunate that you are planning to help her connect to the other half of her heritage!

Since your fixed on one country specifically, there isnt much use in joining Search, ISS or any of those agencies, they arent going to do much for you. There are really only 9 IS's listed with Search (Listed Below):

Taiwan American School in Taichung
Taiwan Ivy Collegiate Academy, Taichung
Taiwan Kaohsiung American School
Taiwan NanKe International Experimental H.S., Tainan
Taiwan Pacific American School, Hsinchu
Taiwan Taipei American School
Taiwan Taipei Kuei Shan School

Thats 7, there are 2 schools with posted admin positions right now:

Taiwan I-Shou International School, Kaohsiung
ADMIN CAS Coordinator (High School)

Taiwan Taipei European School
ADMIN Department Head (Middle School, High School)
ADMIN Department Head (Middle School, High School)
ADMIN Department Head (Middle School, High School)
ADMIN Department Head (Middle School, High School)
ADMIN Department Head (Middle School, High School)
ADMIN Deputy Head of School (Middle School, High School)

You can google them, and send them your resume. Looks like Taiwan Taipei European School is really looking for admins, its easy enough to shoot them your resume.

Thanks again for your words of wisdom, psyguy and overseasvet2.