The health insurance for the school I may be working at doesn't cover me when I return to the US. If I came back to the US in the summer for around a month, is there a cheap plan that provides basic coverage when back in the US? Has anyone dealt with this before?

Along the same lines does anyone know of a good insurance company for a month of car insurance when returning?

Thanks.

Is it possible though to get a counselor position at an IT without a school counseling credential, but just a masters in counseling and as a LPC?

So, is there a preference of acquiring a masters in school counseling or clinical mental health counseling? I was considering getting my masters in "clinical mental health counseling" and becoming a licensed professional counselor. With that master's degree and already having some years of teaching under my belt, I could have a decent chance at getting a counselor position at an IT?

I might try to go to the Boston/Cambridge Search Fair next year, but the fact that it is 4 days seems difficult with missing work/hotel expenses. Does anyone know the normal schedule for this fair and if teachers should/have to attend all four days?

Thanks

Psyguy is correct. I've paid for 3 years and still have 7 to go to have it forgiven. May just defer payments if I end up overseas and then when I get back will finish the 6 or 7 ....

I don't know for certain, but according to some of the packages I have read about here and cost of living, I would make more money overseas. I work in North Carolina(one of the lowest paying states) and live in the most expensive city in North Carolina. So, financially it seems on the surface to be better. However, it's difficult to factor in the amount that I'd be putting into retirement working in the states and wouldn't be able to have a retirement fund overseas unless I end up in Europe. That's unlikely.

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to comment. I have some thinking to do about future plans. May try the Search Boston/Cambridge next year and see what happens.

I have about 37,000 in student loans and am doing the Income Based Repayment plan, which is essentially just paying the interest. However, in 7 years that will be paid off. Financially it seems it would be smarter to stay in US for 7 years and then look to teach overseas, but not sure? Any suggestions? Anyone trying to make similar decisions? I'm probably a tier three, possibly two teacher, so that's the level I could earn in IT.

Also, how is the market for Computer Science for IT teachers? I was looking into getting trained in that area. Thanks...

Thanks for the thorough response.

On an unrelated note, I have taught this new class called "Project Lead the Way" at the Middle School level for the last 3 years. It deals with STEM education and is in many schools across the USA at the Elementary, Middle, and High levels. Have you or anyone else heard about this class coming to International Schools?

I was considering going back for my Masters in Counseling and was curious about the market for counselors internationally compared to other teaching positions. Is 2 years experience still expected if you have had multiple years teaching experience, but no counseling? Thanks.

Thanks for the input

If I end up teaching at an IS, do most schools offer Professional Development? I don't want to lose my US teaching certificate because every 5 year cycle you have to earn a certain amount of hours in specific areas, for instance 30 hours of literacy. Do US schools usually accept IS professional development to renew US certificate?

I wouldn't want to lose my US certificate, not only cause I might return to the US, but I would need my certificate up to date to teach at ISs as well...

Are the references for Search private, or do you get to see what the individuals write?

PsyGuy wrote:
> @wilcoman
>
> Your not competitive for the elite tier ISs in Thailand, but HK is one of
> the little tigers, its like JP and highly competitive.


Which fair would have more tier 3 schools? What's JP?
Thanks, I'm new to all this, obviously...

Thanks for the info/opinions. I'm probably going to teach ESOL for a year in Hsinchu, unless I draw the "Ace of Spades" and land an IT job there. I'll attend the Hong Kong or Bangkok Search Job Fair in January and hopefully get something for the following year somewhere in the world to start. Hong Kong might be better since I'm just starting and don't have the resume for the elite Bangkok schools, right?

PsyGuy wrote:

>
> Literature doesnt decay like technology does, but three years out of a ELA
> classroom is dating your skills in that aspect.

Any chance I could get a High School English job if all I've taught is Middle School English? My certification is in 6-12 LA/English...

> All of your credentials are at the lower secondary level, and only really
> large ISs (such as tier 1 ISs) can maintain stable dedicated lower
> secondary ITs, the rest of IE the expectation is that you can teach all
> grades or all secondary.
> With all your combined credentials you may want to look at primary ISs,
> particularly as a specialist

I can't teach a primary school because my certification and credentials are all either 6-12 or 6-8, but not k-5. Correct?

Thanks for the quick reply. I meant to say tier 3 or maybe tier 2, not tier 1.