Korean Job Discussion Forums

[naturegirl321]

I've been trying to think of how to solidify my teaching career and have been told that it might be worth it to try to get into DOD schools. I've taught in intl schools before and didn't exactly enjoy it due to all the stress and paperwork. Also, having a non-teaching spouse makes finds schools all that harder. I'd also have to go back to the US (I think) and get my certs turned into full licenses.

I actually prefer teaching uni level, but it's not exactly as stable as teaching K to 12.

Anyone here taught at a DOD school? Did you enjoy it? What are the working hours and paperwork like? How much time off did you get? Any other info that you have would be useful.

Thanks so much

[warmachinenkorea]

Teaching for the DODEA is just like teaching in the States. You have to be certified in whatever subject area you want to teach. In some specific areas, even with a teaching certificate, you may need extra classes to fit a particular area.

For example, I'm certified K-12 in SPED at home and was interviewed for an Emotionally Impaired position with the Seoul American Middle School. However, I'm not qualified, by DODEA standards, to teach Emotionally Impaired. They require 12 more course hours of specific Emotionally Impaired classes.

If you're in Korea already you will be considered a local hire and will not be given housing. After 2 years of successful employment, your status changes and you can be request transfer to any other DODEA school in the world then you would receive all the travel benefits and housing.

In other words it's the same job and responsibility of teaching in the U.S but you�re in another country. The school day would be about 7:30 am to 3:00 pm.

You need to make your self attractive to them by having a cert in a hard to fill position or be certified in multiple areas so you can be flexible in the system.

[naturegirl321]

[warmachinenkorea]

It's just like a school back home.

grading papers, making exams, a set curriculum, sports, extra curricular stuff, etc...

They pay a little better than most school districts.

[Ramen]

i have a friend who teaches ESL at a DoD school. He is currently on GS-12 pay grade level which is pretty high up. he told me it's a piece of cake teaching ESL to mixed race or adopted students. the gov't picks up everything including housing, travel, moving, etc. etc.

current job market in DoD school is pretty competitive now, but will ease up when and if the u.s. economy improves.

[smurfetta]