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Expat Careers: International schools across Europe need talented teachers, administrators

If there is any skill set more in demand than tech talent, it’s great teachers. That’s because teaching at any level primary through graduate school is possibly the most demanding career in the world.

screen-shot-2016-11-08-at-8-02-15-amGreat teachers don’t just teach. They have to have an approach that’s inspirational, transformational and multi-generational. And in our case, international.

Okay, we’re getting weird. But what’s not weird is, working at an international school is another interesting channel for those who want to live and work overseas. Because we learned through personal experience that English-language schools here have a tough time finding the talented teachers that make them special.

Here in Eindhoven, parents got this email from the International School of Eindhoven:

Dear Parents

As you are aware, we have faced a number of difficulties with regard to staffing this school year. I’m writing to give you an update on these matters ….

It has been extremely difficult to to find a replacement for Mr. XXXXX’s English classes. This is most likely due to the difficulty in recruiting at this time of year coupled with our need to have a teacher who is experienced in working with the IB Diploma Programme. I am happy to say we’ve made an offer to a highly qualified teacher and are awaiting confirmation …..

The email goes on to say another teacher has decided to leave and they are in the process of recruiting his replacement. And something about the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side being out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death.

20140220-small_ise1Seriously, ISE is a very inviting place to teach, with a green, open campus just minutes from the center of the city, multiple state-of-the-art Class A buildings and a sophisticated student body ready to excel. We know because our daughter Lale is an ISE student.

As we were reading the ISE email, it occurred to us this is not just a local issue. So, we started checking the websites of various international schools and guess what … there are a lot of vacancies.

Now, we and everyone we know has fantasized about teaching English overseas and enjoying the lush life in some low-cost part of the world. And that’s attainable for many people. But teaching at an international school … well that’s something that takes serious bona fides.

That’s also true of teaching at Department of Defense Dependent Schools in Europe, where my daughters started school. Teaching at DoDDS is one of the best jobs in secondary education because salaries are attractive, as are the benefits, command support typically is strong and disciplinary problems are few and far between. Here’s the portal to DoDDS jobs in Europe on USAJobs.

At its essence, Dispatches is an online expat lifestyle magazine, and we can imagine there are a lot of terrific teachers dreaming of working with kids at elite international schools that just happen to be in the most desirable destinations in Europe.

Okay, about the money … teaching at an international school – assuming you have the required education and experience – pays far better than teaching English in an Asian country such as Vietnam or South Korea, for example. But from everything we know, salaries at international schools tend to be below the public school salaries in countries such as Luxembourg, where teachers make crazy money. BUT, in countries such as Switzerland, a teacher with solid experience at a private international school can expect to make 90,000 Swiss francs.

Salaries at DoDDS start at $42,370 for those with Bachelor’s degrees. Starting salaries for those Master’s degrees $46,420. A doctorate will get you $50,47o when you walk in the door.

Before we show you the open positions below, here are two recruitment fairs:

• Search London

January 13 – 16, 2017

London
The Millennium Gloucester Hotel, Kensington

Candidates with international school experience may request an invitation to attend this fair. Exceptions to this guideline are listed below. Those who succeed in obtaining positions typically have taught any of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programmes, the British International Curriculum – the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC), IGCSE, and International A Level.

Fair Organizer: Gez Hayden

• CIS London 

Council of International Schools

January 19, 2017 at the St Paul’s Hotel in London.

Dates for Candidates: Friday 20 – Sunday 22 January 2017

Here are just a few of the current openings around Europe:

SS-M-French-Centre-Chateau-de-Grande-Romaine-Excursion-Paris-Eiffel-Tower-Girls-Boy-Staff-for-Secondary-Schools• American School of Paris

Lower School Director

The Lower School Director reports directly to the Head of School and is responsible for providing inspired leadership that will motivate and empower people toward achieving the highest quality teaching and learning; and successfully enabling Lower School students, teachers and the wider community to work together to achieve the school’s mission.

To begin July 30, 2017 (for the academic year 2017-18)

Applications to Mark E. Ulfers, Head of School [email protected]

Closing Date:

We reserve the opportunity to interview candidates as applications are received.

25_berlin_wallBerlin Cosmopolitan School

Secondary (Grades 6 through 12)

As a growing school BCS is generally seeking teachers with a master’s degree for secondary school to work full- or part-time.

Currently, BCS is looking for:

– a teacher for German and History (language of instruction: German)

– a teacher for Social Studies and English

– a teacher for Economy (as of November 2016)

You will work in an English-speaking team, together with international students and parents. We offer freedom to contribute your creative ideas and shape your place of work. We are looking for native English or German teachers.

IB experience and German as a foreign language training (applies only to German teacher position) and a minimum of 1 year post qualification experience preferred. Please provide all corresponding certificates.

Applicants are requested to provide a CV and letter of interest along with the following supporting documents:

– A Master’s Degree of Education or PGCE

– A state of national teaching certificate

– Two references

If you are interested in applying for these positions, please send your complete application to:

[email protected]

Majestic Brussels Grand Place illuminated at dusk, Belgium

Majestic Brussels Grand Place illuminated at dusk, Belgium

• International School of Brussels

Middle School Mathematics

Apply before 17 November 2016

Start 1 August 2017

Full-time position, MS Mathematics. Integrated Program for grades 7, 8, 9. Previous experience required. Strong technology skills a requirement. Experience with Coding and Design an advantage. Must be committed to working with adolescents and our Learning Principles (attached) must resonate strongly with applicants.

You can apply here.

Eindhoven International School of Eindhoven

Mathematics Teacher

Due to an unexpected, early retirement, the ISE Secondary department invites applications from qualified, experienced and enthusiastic teachers for the position as Mathematics Teacher IB (MYP/DP). This position also carries the role of Subject Leader (Head of Department) for Mathematics. This is a full-time position starting January 2017 with a possibility to continue in school year 2017-2018.

Please send your application letter and resume with the contact details of two referees to [email protected] before November 11, 2016.

You can see the full announcement and all requirements here.

A note: Almost every international school we checked has postings for “cover teachers,” the local hires who can cover for staffers who are off. In some cases, such as maternity leaves, the jobs could last for months, and could lead to permanent positions.

So, turn on your Googles and check out the schools in the cities where you are or where you’d like to live.

Website | + posts

Co-CEO of Dispatches Europe. A former military reporter, I'm a serial expat who has lived in France, Turkey, Germany and the Netherlands.

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