PsyGuy wrote:
> @expatscot
>
> Because recruiting is a chore and the only real joy in it is crossing it
> off the to do list.
>
> As to missing anything, you can go to the bakery anytime in the day and get
> a loaf of bread made that morning, or you can wake up early and go when its
> the freshest out of the oven. For many recruiters and leadership, you dont
> know what you dont know, and youre not missing anything you dont know.
> Maybe the morning bread had a better loaf available, maybe not, and maybe
> the loaf bought later is just fine.

Recruiting early has the added benefit of dealing with people who have decided they are leaving well in advance in my experience. There is no messing about, everyone involved knows what they want and is ready to get on with it. Additionally, if you are in a country that has a convoluted visa application process it gives a time buffer to account for that.

You could immediately apply to transfer your DC licence to another state that has a reciprocity agreement with DC, like Tennessee (there are others, but TN came to mind).
https://www.tn.gov/education/licensing/ ... ators.html

See what works, but you will need to get on it fast and possibly call people in the TN office. It is possible to get an expired DC licence renewed but I don't know how your school will react to an unlicensed teacher.

Ah, good. That clarifies things mostly.

We will likely be planning a long term IT career change, and do have the possibility of picking up IB experience before we leave local schools (It is not particularly popular within our district amongst teachers). I will look to push for that if the chance comes up.

There is a lot for us to learn and consider before making a change this big, but It does feel good to at least have a sizable life change on the distant horizon.

Thanks,

Thanks for the responses so far, it is really helpful to gain insight from people living the IT life. My wife and I plan on moving into international education for quite a while, so we will consider both the AP and IB approaches.

My use of the term competitive is simply a placeholder for a school that is not necessarily elite but comfortable enough for us to live modestly and save a bit, while providing opportunities to grow as teachers.

Re: PsyGuy's PASS scale this is an interesting item to consider. If I understand it properly both my wife and I would score reasonably high on that scale which is encouraging...

Thanks again,

The great thing about US teacher certifications is I can simply take and pass the required physics Praxis test and I will be able to teach physics here.
I have enough background to do this easily, I simply had no need or desire... Plus if you can teach something you tend to end up teaching it, whether you want to or not....
Good point though to ensure I get that sorted before too long, I will likely pass the test, update my licence but remain quiet in my building... Thus avoiding a fourth prep.

Good afternoon all,
Both my wife an I have been public school teachers in Virginia USA for in excess of ten years.
Myself in high school science (Chemistry, Biology, Earth Sci & AP Enviro), her in elementary (K through fourth, never taught fifth) with a reading/literacy specialist certification.
Both of us have Masters in Ed.
We have been biding our time until children are grown enough to travel more easily, we will also be waiting for just a few more years... Soon we will have two school aged children.

My question, does our lack of international experience (no IB, no experience outside of the US education system) damage our chances of picking up employment in competitive schools? Should we be required to start in the lower tiers of schools ?

Basically, how much does general educational classroom experience count against experience at actual international schools?

Thoughts and input on this would be helpful.

Thanks,