Heightened school security measures are routinely applied in reaction to domestic issues that may impact the wider international community; international schools take student safety to levels I had not personally experienced before. My new norm over 30 years ago catapulted me into the realm of threats to personal safety far beyond previous experience; the very worst that could happen in my previous world was a student could ignore the ‘stranger, danger’ warnings, dash across the zebra crossing at home time or face fire and earthquakes. Schools being a target of extremists groups, coping with gun violence or xenophobia was completely beyond imagination. I’m not suggesting that student’s in the 70’s in local primary and secondary schools were relatively free of harmful influences, it could just be that they were free of 24 hour networks that sensationalize perceived threats and the incumbent responses.
What motivates a teacher to look overseas for a job? Are you prepared for change and how can you be sure that reality mirrors expectation?
I’m off! Getting to the point of no return, actually resigning from your school and making enquiries of an agency for positions abroad can sometimes be a sudden, even impulsive action but typically it’s a measured decision borne of long nights of angst and much thoughtful contemplation. A teacher’s motivation for seeking change is crucial to making the adjustments necessary for success in an international setting. It’s important to be honest with yourself and your agency about what is propelling you to look beyond the domestic teaching market; financial benefits, tax free salary, bonuses, free flights and housing? The prospect of travel and adventure in places never explored before? Professional and Personal growth opportunities? Aligning your motivations to actual vacancies, finding that ‘best fit’ school, country and/or region requires honesty with time spent in research (minus those rose-coloured glasses) in addition to guidance from a Trueteaching consultant. Expectations may need to be reset if personal attributes, qualifications and professional experience aren’t in fact a match for that perfect job!