The International Schools Review Forum

First of all, I am in my first year of 2 years in a masters program for Early Childhood Education at University of Illinois at Chicago. It includes endorsements in early childhood special education and ESL. It is a program designed for students to be able to get their initial teaching license, if they're undergraduate degree wasn't in education (mine was anthropology). If it helps any, I actually studied abroad in Japan for an academic years, but I've lost most of my Japanese language skills.

So I realize that I have some time to go before then. I plan to work at least 2 years in the US after I graduate. So what I'm wanting advice on, is what I should do after those first 2 years of teaching here. Should I try a lower tier school in Japan first? Should I go to Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, or Taiwan first? If I were to do either of these options, how long do you think I'd have to work there to be competitive enough to get into a top tier school in Japan (like the American School)? Also I'm curious if it matters much if I switch between Special Education and Early Childhood, or should I just stick to one or the other.

I know this seems kind of naive, but basically I'm just wanting to start preparing now so that I can get accepted to a top tier in Japan some time in the future. So I'm really just wanting some basic advice on what steps I should take in order to become competitive enough to get a position like that. I should mention also that I absolutely loved my time in Japan, and know that that is where I want to be.

Thanks for any advice, I appreciate it.

You and 345,937 other teachers (including me) want to be in Japan at a top tier school. I'm convinced you need to know someone at one of those schools who can both vouch for you and let you know of upcoming openings. Turnover at those schools is low, which makes getting in tough. I'm sure the next time I'm recruiting my CV will join yours in a stack of 2000 for each available position...

After two years in the US, see if you can get work in a top tier school in East Asia. Many international schools, especially in top tiers, have formal and informal connections with other international schools in their region. This makes it a lot easier to network your way into the job you really want - just make sure you don't piss off anyone in admin while you're in that school, as the connected-ness can work against you in that case.

It's definitely a worthy goal that you have there. We were in Japan with a small int'l school some years back and we are now back here with DoDDS and absolutely love it here.

As for getting in with one of the top int'l schools here it can be quite a chore. I can't speak for other great schools here but ASIJ is very tough nut to crack. Firstly, because they have very few openings every year and so have even more applicants then would be expected for a top school. Secondly, ASIJ has a very elitist mentality (even more so then most other top tier schools). This means that when they sift through their stacks of applicants they are generally looking for candidates with exceptional qualifications (e.g. at least 5 years experience, advanced degrees plus additional outstanding qualities/experiences) AND they often prefer to hire people coming from other top tier schools around the world. The new hires I knew at ASIJ came mostly from top schools in London, Singapore, China etc. They would possibly look at someone in country at a lower tier school but it would be a long shot.

That being said, I also know of a few people hired directly from the states and one half a of teaching couple that wasn't even certified. So, how to best get in there? Tough call based on your time table. Without an inside personal connection your best bet really is to get into the int'l circuit and try and work your way up to a top school in another country (anywhere in Asia would do but China is usually easiest). THEN you can try and make the leap when an opening comes up.

As for other schools in the area, you are really only talking about YIS and maybe one or two others in the Tokyo area (someone else might have current/accurate input in that area). For some of them it might be possible to take a job in a lower tier school and then move to a better school as long as they don't try and lock you into a local hire contract.

As for SPED or Early Childhood it is almost a wash. SPED positions would generally only be open at ASIJ only every 3 years or so and they would be looking for someone with extensive experience and who could do assessments, and a whole list of other specific requirements. I know because I had a personal connection, could make a case for all of the things they were looking for and was still told we want what we want and we can get it because we are ASIJ (and I couldn't even score an interview). Do I sound bitter? Maybe a bit but ironically, it all worked out because being back here with DoDDS has put us in a better situation in many ways then we would have been with ASIJ (and the job is much less stressful with a better life-school balance).

Early Childhood positions would potentially open up a little more often and they might be slightly less elitist about their requirements. In any case, do your best to find out what specific curriculum elements they are into at the time you are applying and try and have experience or at least training in some of them. They used to be enamored with Writer's Workshop/ Everyday Math in the elementary and Reggio Emilia in their EC program. Their job listings are usually pretty specific so keep an eye out for the latest edubabble trends that they are requiring. Also be on the look out for any conferences, PD opportunities etc where staff/admin from ASIJ or YIS are presenting or otherwise involved. Anything could help or at least be better then nothing.

As in any situation, there are always exceptions and lucky breaks so keep dreaming and working towards your goal!

I concur with the previous contributors. There are three top tier ISs in JP (all in the greater Tokyo area) an IB IS, a BS (British) and AS (American), (there is arguably a fourth the FS Lycee, but you must be a fluent francophone for this to be a practical consideration). This is it and while the AS is probably the elite IS of the three you would want to maximize your utility by considering all three). You really need an 'in' by knowing someone who can facilitate your hire to get into the elite tier ISs in JP. They have very, very low turnover. It is not uncommon to go a recruiting year without any hiring needs of the IS, when they do have vacancies they are often very few, meaning you can go years, without a single vacancy in your teaching field available. You essentially have three pathways:
1) Work your way through IE until you get an appointment at an elite tier IS and then wait for a vacancy in your teaching field. Getting into an elite tier IS and being successful opens yourself up to a shadow network of leadership between elite tier ISs. Your HOS makes a call/contact, and you interview, and you meet and great and your hired. The average period before a IT hits 1st tier is about 6 years. However elite tier appointments are highly competitive everywhere within their regions.

2) Stay in DE, eventually moving to a private independent IS with a recognizable reputation.

3) Move to Japan ASAP and network with leadership at those ISs.


The pathway I would outline:

1) Ensure you can add a general SPED/SEN/LS/LD certificate/endorsement. Many ISs do not have EC programs below kinder/reception.

2) A Masters is a lot at this stage of IE. Push for an appointment in an IB IS for your field work as part of your degree.

3) Upon graduation identify a BS in the States or if you must consider relocation to the UK. You will be eligible for QTS when you obtain your credential. The goal is a year or 2 of experience in a BS.

4) Relocate to Japan. Find employment in any IS. Your goal is to start networking.

5) Register for substitute/relief teaching at those three ISs.

Outside of a few fairs and conferences (in which you may have a few minutes of time at most), you need to start getting to know people at those top tier ISs.
Find out where the ITs hang out, get to be their friends. When a vacancy opens those friends will be in a position to recommend you, and since youre local your in a better position to interview and recruit.
It may be very rare, but if you can show leadership during substitution that you fit in well with their IS, you get called more often, and they already like you when a vacancy becomes available.
You essentially need an avenue that allows you to bypass the conventional recruiting process in IE.