School of Education
DEPARTMENTSWAnt to teach abroad?
In your subject area?
In English?
The purpose of this page is to provide you with some information about international K-12 teaching opportunities. Here are some sites that will help you start your research on some of the many possibilities in global education.
Terminology: Type of Schools Abroad
According to the US Department of State
- Independent International Schools
- Department of Defense Dependant Schools (DoDDs)
- U.S. State Department affiliated Schools
According to ISS (International School Services)
- American Community Schools
- Binational/Multinational/International Schools
- Schools native to host country
Characteristics of Good Candidates
- Communication skills
- Team player
- Love of teaching and young people
- Complete command of subject area and teaching methodologies
- Flexible
- Resilient
- Adaptable
- Sense of humor
- Creative
- Risk taker
- Strong organizational skills
- Commitment to professional development
Take a look at the self-screening checklist to see your level of competitiveness finding a job abroad. Checklist by Search Associates.
Organizations, Fairs, Agencies
Department of Defense Education Activity
The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) is a civilian agency of the U.S. Department of Defense. DoDEA's schools serve the children of military service members and Department of Defense civilian employees throughout the world. Children of enlisted military personnel represent 85 percent of the total enrollment in DoDEA schools. DoDEA operates over 200 public schools in 15 districts located in 13 foreign countries, seven states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. All schools within DoDEA are fully accredited by U.S. accreditation agencies. Approximately 8,785 teachers serve DoDEA's 102,600 students.
US Department of State: Office of Overseas Schools
The mission of the Office of Overseas Schools is to promote quality educational opportunities at the elementary and secondary level for dependents of American citizens carrying out our programs and interests of the U.S. Government abroad. Our efforts are to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by upgrading educational institutions which serve to demonstrate American educational principles and methods employed in the United States.
University of Northern Iowa
The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) has been a leader in the field of international recruitment for three decades. Our services revolve around the UNI Overseas Recruiting Fair, held annually in February. Each year, over 120 international schools from over 70 countries attend the UNI Fair in search of the finest teachers and administrators. As a non-profit, University-based service, UNI is committed to providing quality service to schools and educators worldwide.
International School Services (ISS)
Since 1955, ISS has grown into a dynamic educational force in the overseas community. A nonprofit corporation dedicated to excellence for children attending overseas schools worldwide, ISS is the world’s leader in providing a comprehensive range of quality educational services for schools, educators, families and corporations. We invite you to explore the rich and diverse expertise we offer through specialized service areas.
Directory of 538 Schools from 155 Countries
Qualifications (Placement through ISS/Fees)
Council of International Schools (CIS)
The Council of International Schools (CIS) is a not-for-profit association of schools and post-secondary institutions working collaboratively for the continuous improvement of international education. CIS offers a comprehensive range of services. In keeping with the diversity of our membership and the constant change associated with international education, these services are varied and flexible.
Teaching Vacancies by Subject Area
International School Directory
Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program (FTEP)
Since 1946, the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program has helped nearly 23,000 teachers and administrators contribute to mutual understanding between the United States and countries around the world. If you are a full-time U.S. teacher or administrator, you may be eligible to apply to the regular program. For U.S. teachers, this opportunity involves a year or semester direct exchange with a counterpart in another country teaching the same subject(s) at the same level. In addition, the Fulbright program encourages U.S. schools to host overseas teachers and administrators coming on two to four week observational study programs in the United States. U.S. administrators and teachers may also apply for observational study programs offered overseas.
Association of American Schools in South America (AASSA)
Established in 1961, AASSA is a non-profit membership association currently serving forty-one American / International schools throughout South America and offshore islands. AASSA is administered by an executive director who employs a professional staff to assist with publications, in-service programs, grant management, purchasing, shipping and accounting.
List of ASSAA Member Schools by Country
Recruiting: Fees, Fairs, Qualifications
Quality Schools International (QSI)
The schools of QUALITY SCHOOLS INTERNATIONAL (QSI) have been founded in order to provide a quality education in the English language for expatriates living in the international community. Local citizens who want their children to be educated in English are also accepted. The schools recognize that most of the students are enrolled for only two or three years and have diverse educational backgrounds. Non-profit international schools. First school founded in 1971. Thirty-three schools in 25 countries. Serving diplomatic, development, and business families. Success approach to learning. Qualified, experienced, & caring teachers. Financial support from the U.S. government. Accreditation by Middle States Association or Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Queen’s University
“As a result of increasing interest in teaching overseas, the Placement Office sponsors the Teachers' Overseas Recruiting Fair, which is for certified teachers with at least two years of full-time elementary or secondary classroom experience. Some places are reserved for inexperienced teachers, with priority given to Queen’s B.Ed. candidates. Teacher candidates from other universities and teachers without two years experience are welcome to apply and will be accommodated as space allows.
Teachers' Overseas Recruiting Fair
TORF Eligibility and Registration
Information on International Schools (Associations, Resources, Curriculum)
Additional Resources (Websites on Education, Travel, Teaching Abroad, etc.)
Carney Sandoe & Associates (CS&A)
Since 1977, Carney, Sandoe and Associates has been providing placement, consulting, and Head of School and Top Administrator Search Services for independent and like-kind schools all over the country, and all over the world. More schools use CS&A than any other recruitment firm. Since its inception, CS&A has worked successfully with over 1,500 schools in 46 states and 7 foreign countries to provide the most exceptional recruitment and consulting services available. We connect schools with teachers and administrators by referring candidates' credentials to schools according to the criteria that the schools have listed with us. Throughout the hiring process, our staff works with both our client schools and our candidates to facilitate the perfect fit. Our clients are the schools; they list their position openings with us and ask us to find them teachers and administrators. Therefore, the schools pay our fees, not candidates.
Articles and Other Resources
How to Avoid Overseas Job Scams From Overseas Digest
International Job Guide from TIE Online
Teaching Abroad Websites from Transitions Abroad
Things to Consider
The Agency/Program
- Is the program I am going through respectable?
- Do I know anyone who has found a job through this agency/program?
- How long have they been around?
- Will they provide me with references?
- Do they charge fees for giving job leads?
- Do they only have a P.O. Box for a contact?
- How long are the contracts?
- Have I checked them out through the Better Business Bureau?
- Have I talked to all the people I can about the program and country?
- Have I read or participated in online forums?
- Do I have to attend a recruiting fair, how much will it cost, how many people leave with a job offers, and do I have to sign a contract onsite?
Financial
- What is the salary in the currency of the country where you’ll be working?
- What is the standard of living there?
- Are local taxes to be paid on salary?
- Will I have to pay home taxes while abroad?
- How much can you expect to save on an annual basis
- What bills will I still be responsible for at home and will the foreign salary cover it?
- Will my partner be able to find a job? Will he/she need any particular visa in order to do so? If he/she can’t find a job, how would that affect our decision?
Location
- Have I considered safety, current affairs, and personal health before committing?
- Have I checked out the country’s customs and laws through US Department of State Travel and Business?
- How will I go about finding housing? Does the school/program provide housing or help in finding a place? What do I do with my housing/belongings in the U.S.?
- What customs and lifestyle would I be able to adapt to?
- What do I need to have in order to live comfortably everyday? (Computer, Internet, can I deal with frequent power outages?)
- What is the weather like there? (If I go running everyday, can I deal with 90 degree heat and high humidity?)
Other
- What work visas/work permits/Immunizations do I need?
- Will my driver’s license be valid? do I need an international license?
- Insurance? Travel? Medical?
- Pets?
More sites with information and even more links:
The association of Americans Resident Overseas
Americans Living and Traveling Abroad (USA.gov)
