DODD Teachers Chatboard

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haha It is generally considered very competitive. Elementary certifications are also fairly common in comparison to many other areas. It is possible to get hired as a new teacher but fairly rare if you do not have some connection (e.g. military spouse, local hire, student teaching with DoDEA etc.).

Many openings do seem to happen in the Pacific...See More

Dec 13, 2017

msortega Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.

Dec 13, 2017

Special Education Coursework

by Interest in SpEd

Dec 13, 2017

This topic has probably been discussed in previous posts but I am unable to locate the information.

I am interested in obtaining my certification in SpEd (already have regular classroom certification). I have found the DoDEA requirements for SpEd certification. What are options for getting required SpEd coursework online? Thank you.

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haha Grand Canyon University has/had some good options for online classes in SPED. I'm sure there are many others. If you are in a state where you can add SPED by testing, it's worth looking into. You would then only need half of the usually required credits.

Dec 13, 2017

I have applied for a position as an Assessor for the next school year. I would like to get an idea of the scope of the position under DODEA. I have worked for 18 years as an Assessor (although under a different title in my state) and 3 different schools so I am aware that the job duties can vary greatly from district to district. I would appreciate...See More

Assessor Job Duties

by Donna J

Dec 9, 2017

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HelpOthers DoDEA just recently started following IDEA due to a hold-up in congress. We are not part of the Department of Education, we fall under the Department of Defense, so changes can take much longer than you might expect. The "Companion Guide" is replacing the 2005 Special Education Manual you may have found online.

School Psychologists often ...See More

Dec 11, 2017

Donna J Mary, thank you very much for the information. Very useful!

Dec 12, 2017

Payscale

by Icanread

Dec 9, 2017

I have 27 graduate credit hours and need just 3 more to jump up on the pay scale. If I take them before I get my formal offer, will HR recognize them and give me that boost in pay?

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haha Not sure about the exact timing. It is possible they would adjust your pay lane before you start since they are pretty good about adjusting for your step as soon as they receive your employment verification forms.

In any case you should be fine. I know several people who submitted transcripts to go to Masters +15, Masters +30 etc and the c...See More

Dec 9, 2017

HelpOthers As long as you apply for the lane change within a certain number of days after receiving the credits, the pay raise is retroactive to the date you received the credit.

Dec 11, 2017

Okinawa

by Icanread

Dec 7, 2017

I read that everybody lives on base in Okinawa (as long as base housing is less than 95% occupied). Is that true for DODEA teachers too? Anybody have other info that would be good to know about Okinawa?

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Happy Teacher I lived in Okinawa for almost five years. The area around Foster and Kadena have more "little America" feel in pockets, but the majority of the island is absolutely Okinawa. There are areas off base where Americans occupy most or all of an apartment building, block of houses, or even an entire neighborhood. However, these are interspersed with loca...See More

Dec 10, 2017

Icanread Thanks, Happy Teacher! Where are you now?

Dec 10, 2017

Hey all, I finally have a "qualified" status on my application (yay), I actually had to take another college class in order to be qualified. I am currently a prek teacher in the great state of TX, this my 9th year. I also have Head Start experience prior to teaching in the public schools. Any one know much about early childhood with DoDEA? I am wan...See More

Early Childhood

by seoul94

Dec 9, 2017

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seoul94 I have a certification for EC-4 with TX but I'm only qualified to teach PK & Kinder with DODEA because of the college courses I have. But honestly, those are the only 2 grades I care to teach. I do not have a sped certification but I may consider taking the test if it'll help me get hired with DODEA.

Dec 9, 2017

haha Taking the test for state certification wouldn't get you DoDEA certification but it would mean that you would only need half of the usually required credits (which is still a fair amount of classes).

In any case, you should be in pretty good shape with Pre-K and K (relative to the long odds that everyone faces trying to get into DoDEA).

Dec 9, 2017

Checking in

by fentonkr45

Dec 2, 2017

Has anyone that got a job offer in August or September received their start date yet? I'm still waiting on mine, was offered September 7th.

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intrepidtravelr My tentative offer was August 28. My tentative report date was October 23 but that got put on hold due to the fiscal year and applying for Italian visas. I was finally cleared, flew out, and started work on November 13.

Dec 7, 2017

teacherlife62411 I just received a start date this week for January 8th. My tentative offer was on October 14th.

Dec 8, 2017

Asking for references

by Johnny

Dec 6, 2017

Just finished my interview. The principals were really nice ladies! The whole process was not as bad as I thought it would be.

At the end of the interview she asked me to send her a list of 3 references. Is this just standard SOP? Or is it a good sign?

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Icanread One of my references was contacted so I'm hoping that's a good sign!

Dec 8, 2017

teacherlife62411 That is exactly what happened with me. At the end of the interview, she asked me if I could email two references. The very next day (September 19th) she called my assistant principal, and I will be starting on Jan 8th!! I think you can be hopeful! Good luck!! The worst part is waiting!!

Dec 8, 2017

Joining DODEA with small children

by lady

Dec 7, 2017

Hi All,

I'm a 2018-2019 DODEA 'hopeful' and I'm wondering about teachers with young families. I'm currently in the ME where hired help is common and affordable. Is hiring a nanny a possibility in say Japan or Korea (my target locations). If not is childcare affordable?

My children will be 5,4, and 2 next school year. My husband ...See More

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haha I think the details will vary from location to location. It would likely be a different situation from the ME (and China where we have taught where you could hire an aiiee pretty cheaply., even for fulltime/live in help).

All bases would have a Child Development Center if nothing else. Rates vary a bit but would likely run around $100 a we...See More

Dec 7, 2017

Bankruptcies

by Johnny

Dec 5, 2017

So I just received a tentative offer. From my understanding I have to file a backgroud check. I just had a Ch 13 bankrupticies. Will this disqualify me?

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