Finding a Good Fit. In my opinion, this is the most important aspect of the job hunt.
“As you research a school [in preparation for an application], ask yourself: is this a place where I would be happy to live and work for at least two years?” (Gosling, 2021, p.51)
Keep in mind your personal key considerations and ideas listed in Chapter 1 of Becoming a Successful International Teacher.
What to research
I share a detailed account in my book, but here a few ideas with example.
Find out everything you can about the school.
Check across social media including forums. Pull up their accreditation reports. Connect with previous/current teachers and ask them any questions which are important to you. However, be careful not to ask questions which could be used in interview, focus on instead the support offered, PPA time, staff ‘voice’, work/life balance, etc. Also see what parents say about the school.
Candidly use databases to research.
Examples include Teacher Horizons (free upon registering), ‘International School Advisor’ (some free elements), and International School Review (paid). Cross-reference reviews for authenticity and accuracy – remember this can give a one-sided viewpoint.
Research the Senior Leadership Team.
It can be difficult to really find out what the leaders are like until you work with them. However, if the website shares the leadership/staff team check representation of diversity, should this be important to you (I believe this is important to everyone!) You can use LinkedIn to specifically check how long staff have been in Leadership roles, it is not uncommon for international teachers to progress very quickly into management, which can impact on their depth of knowledge on teaching/learning.
Does the school/community support your vision?
You should aim to connect with a school that follows your ethics and working methods. For example, if you believe the school should be giving back to the local community, check that they offer voluntary experiences for the students. If you strongly support inquiry-based learning, ensure the school does too. If a particular sport/activity is important to you, check the community can or will provide this. Be aware that some schools have stringent views on what you can do outside of school. For example, if you are a writer/presenter, the contract may require that all that you produce is first checked with the school.
Visit the School.
I have stated this before, but will emphasise it again. The best way to help you get a ‘feel’ for the school to see if you are a good fit, is to go there and view it. Chatting with staff and seeing how students conduct themselves (are they happy?) will also aid your decision. Failing this, often schools offer zoom introductions for prospective parents and/or a video walk around on their website.
Ways to connect with me:
Via LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-gosling
Via X @jessgosling2
Via Instagram @internationalteachertravel
Via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/newtointernationalschoolteachers/
Website: http://www.jessgoslingearlyyearsteacher.com
Purchase my book here.
New to International Teaching with Jess Gosling 