Where Great Teachers Can Find Jobs

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Where Great Teachers Can Find Jobs

by Edvectus

May 18, 2016

There are lots of reasons why teachers are considered to be great. Greatness may be determined by your amount of degrees or years of experience, your presence in the classroom, the grade average of your students, your contributions to your school community or your dedication to the craft. There is not one general definition of what makes a ‘great’ teacher because there are too many variables and characteristics that can be identified as ‘great’ or embody what teachers strive for.

What is unclear is why some ‘great’ teachers aren’t being hired. If they are committed to their pedagogy and promise to pour their hearts and souls into their classrooms, then why are these teachers unemployed? For these teachers who remain jobless, they experience feelings of pressure, frustration and self-doubt: How can I be so passionate about student learning and global education, yet I can’t find a job?

Teachers are regularly overlooked in domestic markets for a variety o...See MoreThere are lots of reasons why teachers are considered to be great. Greatness may be determined by your amount of degrees or years of experience, your presence in the classroom, the grade average of your students, your contributions to your school community or your dedication to the craft. There is not one general definition of what makes a ‘great’ teacher because there are too many variables and characteristics that can be identified as ‘great’ or embody what teachers strive for.

What is unclear is why some ‘great’ teachers aren’t being hired. If they are committed to their pedagogy and promise to pour their hearts and souls into their classrooms, then why are these teachers unemployed? For these teachers who remain jobless, they experience feelings of pressure, frustration and self-doubt: How can I be so passionate about student learning and global education, yet I can’t find a job?

Teachers are regularly overlooked in domestic markets for a variety of reasons, but mainly:

Saturated markets. Seniority rules. Declining population. In a domestic market, the education system is flooded with teachers. Put quite simply, there are too many teachers and not enough jobs to employ them all. New teachers are pumped out of colleges or universities every year only to exist in a market that cannot give them the jobs they need to begin their careers. In these markets, many teachers will change professions to ensure they have employment to pay their bills. If the market doesn’t change, they may never return to teaching and adopt a new profession altogether.

Seniority plays a key role. In education, teachers with the most experience subsequently have the highest salaries and stable employment. Many teachers will choose to stay in the classroom past retirement or recycle themselves into substitute or daily supply teaching. So, while young teachers are desperately seeking a position on the supply list, some of these vacancies will be filled by older teachers who desire to continue to be a part of education.

The final reason is declining populations. If enrollment is low, jobs will be cut and great teachers will suddenly find themselves unemployed. Some schools may be combined or even closed altogether. Many teachers foresee these changes and consider their options for fear that they may not have a job in September.

So, what option do great teachers have when seeking immediate or alternative employment?

International markets.

While domestic markets might be overwhelmed with teachers or underwhelmed by student enrollment, the international markets are booming. In the Middle East and the Far East, international schools seem to be cropping up nearly every day. These schools adopt a curriculum (usually North American, British, Australian, New Zealand or the International Baccalaureate) and then look to hire teachers who are trained and certified in this curriculum. While you may not be able to find a job at the school down the street, there may be a school in another country that will fly you over and provide you with a salary, accommodations and health care so that you are comfortable and happy while teaching mostly local student populations.

These international schools offer a competitive employment package and support you as you fill out the paperwork and prepare for your transition abroad. You can move to a variety of countries that are rich in culture, language and adventure – perfect for a fresh start for a newly qualified teacher or an exhilarating change of environment for an experienced one. These schools are offering opportunities for great teachers to be hired.

You’re a great teacher, so what are you waiting for?

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