Job Discussion Forums

[09goshen09]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum and would be very grateful for answers to a couple of questions.

I am a black female teacher working in the UK with 5 years primary experience. BA. Hons and PGCE. I am looking at the options for working as a teacher in International schools, particularly in the Middle East. I have heard that the majority of schools there do not employ black teachers. Is there anybody with experience in ME schools who can comment on this? Are there many black expat teachers in the ME or have you heard of any racial discrimination in recruitment?

Also, will be travelling with husband and child (aged 3), so where might be the best place for a family friendly package? Have looked at far east, but this will be too far away from home.

Last question. I may not be able to start until October or November, so is it still worth applying now, or should I hold out until January?

I know there's a lot here, but I am very grateful for any advice

Thanks

[Justin Trullinger]

Welcome to the forums.

I can't speak to the middle east specifically- but quite a few years in the TEFL field have shown me that stereotypes of what an English teacher should look like (blond, blue-eyed) get in the way for teachers of other races, BUT if you have the qualifications and the drive, you can get past it. THis is particularly true with international schools, which often struggle to get the highly qualified people they want. And it sounds like you're in that category, which reduces their tendency to prejudge on race considerably.


By the way- I'm not sure what it means that the far-east is "too far from home." Given the distances involved, any time you go home, whether from middle east or far, is going to be a flight involving a full day or two of travel.

Close enough as makes no odds, in my opinion.


Best,
Justin

[09goshen09]

Thanks a lot for your reply. The feedback was more positive than I thought it would be. In terms of far east, I mean Japan, Indonesia and Malaysia for example. I must admit, I am not actually sure about the travel times to ME and Far East! Must check that out.

Have also looked at Ghana (where my husband is from) and North America, although I am not sure about the demand for British teachers in the US.

Cheers.

[naturegirl321]

Intl schools usually pay for relocation and flights, so even the far east, won't be too far from home. YOu'll get moving expenses paid for. And flight times are probbably similar

One thing. Is your husband a teacher? If not, what does he plan on doing while you teach?

[09goshen09]

He has a degree is business and marketing, a few years sales experience with a little marketing involved. This is another reason why I had thought about the ME or US, as I am not sure that the job opportunites exist for him in other parts of the world.

I need to be able to earn enough to send some money home and live relatively well. I am not at all an extravagant spender.

[spiral78]

I don't think that North America would be a feasible destination for you. ESL, even with a related MA, at a university, doesn't generally pay enough to support a family, much less to send money home. And, yes, you'd be competing against loads of teachers with more quals and experience than yours for the few 'real' job openings there are...

Not to mention that you'd need a visa (not easy to obtain for ESL teaching!).

[09goshen09]

Oh, just to clarify...

I know that this forum is mainly for ESL teachers, but as a primary school teacher, I am looking for a class teacher position. Preferably an international school that teaches the British national curriculum, otherwise would look at schools with American or IB/ MYP curriculum if they would have me!

[spiral78]

Ah, I see. That does put a slightly different slant on things - but just slightly. While I've been away from the States for 15 years, and away from Canada for a couple as well, I've friends who are primary teachers in both countries. The job market is quite tight - and it is relatively rare to find a teaching position in N. Am. that pays enough to support a family and/or save money/send money home.

You might get VERY lucky and land one of the rare openings...but I think it's fair to say it's a long shot. The visa problem remains as well - are your quals so superior to any candidate FROM the US or Canada that a school would want to go to the trouble of getting a visa for you and your family? I'm afraid that's doubtful.

Not to say you shouldn't be applying if/when you see any openings - but I don't think I'd pin my hopes on this particular option (N. America), if I were you. I know a couple of other teachers with quals similar to yours who have been working on this for a couple of years now...still not successful, unfortunately.

[09goshen09]

Thanks Spiral78. I had thought this myself, but always good to get another opinion.

I will keep a look out for US, but will focus my efforts on ME and Ghana international schools, where we have our own accomodation.

Wish me luck!

[spiral78]

I do, honestly All the best!

[SueH]

Crikey, if you've got experience of coping with london schools might'nt there be opportunities in less desirable schools in the US where they have difficulty in recruiting? Either way worth emphasising in your CV.

I'll ask my BiL to speak to his brother who's an international school headmaster to see what his experience is of discrimination. Having seen the mutual loathing of UAE and Chinese students in a UK ESOL context, there's an awful lot of it about.

[09goshen09]

Great! Much appreciated Sue.

Not thought about inner city US schools. Would prefer not to have the extreme behaviour issues, but will look into it anyway.

[DrVanNostrand]

A few (negative ) things:

1. An October/November start date just doesn't seem feasible. I couldn't imagine a school paying for a sub until you were able to start; especially not in this market where there seems to be an abundance of teachers and a shortage of positions. The vast majority of schools aren't in such a bind that they'd make such huge concessions to fill their vacancies. So, you either start when they start or odds are you don't start at all.

2. Non-teaching dependents are a hinderance in many cases when it comes to international schools, but they shouldn't preclude you from landing a teaching position if you're flexible.

3. I'd say there's little to no demand for British (or any non-national) teachers in the US. The economy has made a mess of the current teaching market, leaving very few truly available positions for those of us that are already here. Tons of districts have cut jobs and let teachers go. Very few people can afford to retire. It isn't pretty.

I seriously doubt that you'd be able to land a job and acquire a work visa in this market.

There are international schools here in the States, though, and you might have a shot at one of those, but I'd say public schools are out of the picture for the time being.

Even the jobs that nobody used to want at inner city schools are going to be very hard to come by. Charlotte-Meck County schools, a rather large district in the state of North Carolina that serves a large percentage of inner city youths, recently laid off like 400 teachers and replaced a large number of them with Central Office staff. People that never dreamed of stepping foot in another classroom are going back because they have no choice. Again, it isn't pretty.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that's the current reality as I see it. Maybe someone else can shine some light on the situation. I will add that by no means am I an expert about international schools, but I do have experience with the current market both internationally and here in the States.

Good luck!

[natsume]

Take a look at the forums here, they may have better answers for your concerns.

http://www.internationalschoolsreview.com/

[Jetgirly]

The Calgary Board of Education recruits internationally. They are the second largest school board in Canada. I currently teach alongside teachers trained in England and Australia, and I have met teachers trained in other parts of the world (Germany and a Carribbean country that I don't recall specifically...). The more "achievements" you have on your teacher record, the better. My international colleagues accepted "demotions" to work in Canada- they previously held administrative roles with their respective Ministries of Education and are now just regular classroom teachers. Your first steps in applying for a public school job in Canada are to get certified in the province that you want to work in, which is done through the provincial government (not the school board) and can be done from abroad. It's expensive regardless of where you're from, but the school boards won't consider applications from non-certified teachers. The CBE also has a program called Transitions into Alberta/Canada (?) Classrooms that helps foreign-trained teachers find work in Alberta/Canada (?). However, I think the program is for people who have been living in Canada for a while and not found work (most of the people in the program are ESL and are very much trained in teacher-centered learning).