Re: just a few general questions
Posted by APO on 7/24/08
Hi Sally,
I am a current DoDDS teacher in Germany and I can tell you
for a fact that what you stated below is absolutely true.
Elementary grade teachers and secondary social studies
teachers will have a very difficult time getting into DoDDS
because so many people in the system already have those
certifications along with several other fields. Media
Specialist jobs are also few and far between as there is
only one per school or some are traveling to two schools. As
I have told others who are interested in DoDDS, the best
thing you can do is add more certifications while you are in
the states. I originally had only elementary and secondary
social studies (like everybody else!) and never got called.
Then I added English, Spanish, ESL, and AVID and got offers.
Areas that are in need for DoDDS: Any foreign language, but
especially Spanish, German, French, and Chinese. AVID,
Phys. Ed., Science (especially Physics and Chemistry), Math
(including Calculus). To a lesser degree...Drama, Art, and
Journalism.
Usually what DoDDS is looking for in a candidate is someone
who can "wear many different hats". Many of the schools are
small or downsizing or combining to K-12 unit schools, so
they need teachers who can teach across grade levels or
teach a variety of subjects. When vacancies come out for
transfers, there is rarely a job for just one subject such
as English or PE or 3rd grade. Usually, they have two or
three categories and sometimes they do look strange such as
PE/Computer Science or Health/English or someone who can do
50% Media Specialist/50% Art at an elementary school.
Bottomline, get more certifications added to your DoDDS
application. Make sure you read the DoDDS requirements
carefully for course work as they are very strict about
adhering to those guidelines and usually will not waive or
"bend the rules" with regard to course titles or
upper-division requirements.
Good Luck!
APO
On 7/24/08, Sally wrote:
> I have been reading these chats for a short while with
> interest because I have been thinking about applying with
> DODD's schools in a year or two. I taught for DODDs for 6
> years back in the the early 80's in Germany. It was
> wonderful but returned stateside when my kids were born,
> mother-in-law had cancer, etc.... Now my kids are grown and
> I have thought how much I would love to return to the
> DODD's community.
>
> I have taught for 28 years, have elem. ed ccertification,
> social studies, Media Specialist and reading endorsement.
> From your posts, it seems all of these are a dime a dozen.
> Is there anything that would make me a more desirable
> candidate? And does having taught for Dodds in the past
> give me an edge at all?
Posts on this thread, including this one
- just a few general questions, 7/24/08, by Sally.
- Re: just a few general questions, 7/24/08, by APO.
- Re: just a few general questions, 7/24/08, by Sally.
- Re: just a few general questions, 7/24/08, by APO.
- Re: just a few general questions, 7/24/08, by Sally.
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