There are many alternative paths for educators seeking more diverse, challenging, and joyful career opportunities. Yet, many educators seeking new career paths don’t necessarily want to abandon education altogether. Many educators want to remain in the classroom; they simply want a teaching position that allows them to focus on what matters: the students.
This is why I interviewed Dr. Zak Cohen today. He will tell us about his journey to becoming an international educator and share how international schools can be a viable and attainable career option for American educators seeking new horizons and returning to fulfilling and student-centered teaching.
Dr. Zak Cohen is an educator, school leader, consultant, and author specializing in personalized learning, student engagement, and middle school culture.
Zak has extensive teaching and administrative experience in independent and international schools across North America, Asia, Africa, and now India, where he has recently taken on the Director of Mission Alignment role at the American International School of Chennai.
He holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Innovation from Drexel University. His work has been published in and featured by outlets such as Edutopia, Educational Leadership, The Guardian, Business Insider, and Independent School magazine. His first book is scheduled to be published in the fall of 2025.
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How did you learn about international schools?
I began my career as a teacher in 2012, and by 2014, I realized that I could easily envision myself in the same role at the same school three decades from then. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that; great teachers often find their perfect fit and commit to it for the long term. Many of my colleagues then had been at the school for 10, 20, or even 30 years. It was a testament to the school's quality but highlighted how powerful and, at times, demotivating a force of inertia can be. I wasn’t eager to leave where I was working; however, I was eager to see what else was out there. The catch was that I loved teaching and didn't want to leave the profession—I simply wanted to try something new. It felt like a paradox: how could I stay in the classroom and explore new professional terrain? One night after work, I began to see if I could reconcile this paradox.
Having previously volunteered as a teacher in China for two years, I began to search online for volunteer-ships abroad. Pretty quickly, Google began to steer me away from volunteer opportunities and into the world of international schools. This was when the world of international schools came into focus for me.
What’s the biggest difference between teaching in a school in the US and an international school?
It’s important to acknowledge that every school is different, so I can only speak from my own experience. In my experience, the differences between U.S. and international schools can range from subtle to profound, but they are significant in any case.
Here are a few key aspects where I've noticed substantial differences:
Resources: International schools often have access to a wide array of resources. Whether it’s a subscription to a new edtech tool, classroom decor, professional development, and connections with other schools around the globe, the resources are available and in place for teachers to bring their vision of the classroom and their own professional growth to life.
Robust Support: Support structures in international schools can be exceptionally strong. Where I currently work, there is a 3:1 staff-to-faculty ratio. For every faculty member, the facilities have three members: custodial, housing, administrative, IT, and support teams. For example, I needed help with a minor IT issue the other day. I sent a ticket to the IT team indicating that the matter was not urgent. And yet, in less than five minutes, someone in my room was ready to troubleshoot.
Let Teachers Teach: When I was a classroom teacher, my wife used to joke that from what she could tell, meetings were the first priority for a teacher, and kids were a distant second. Unfortunately, it can feel that way sometimes. In my experience in international schools, this isn’t the case. Yes, there are faculty meetings; however, the administrative and logistical barriers are deliberately and thoughtfully minimized to allow teachers to concentrate on their core mission—educating students. Beyond just providing resources, international schools prioritize teachers, teaching, and students as a core aspect of their ethos.
What are the benefits of working in an international school?
Working in an international school has many benefits, starting with the sheer breadth of international exposure. The chance to travel, explore different cultures, and learn firsthand about diverse perspectives is immense. Interestingly, the amount of internationalism you experience outside of school pales compared to what you’ll experience within the school gates. Imagine a classroom where each of the 18 students hails from a different country and speaks a different mother tongue. That was the reality of one of my social studies classes during my first year at an international school.
Though perhaps more prosaic and less glamorous, I’d be remiss if we didn’t chat about the financial perks of international schools. One of the reasons I initially sought an alternative path within education was the financial challenge of being a teacher. I was working 12-hour days and barely managing to save any money. The lifestyle I had envisioned for myself wasn't materializing, and I realized it wouldn't if I continued teaching in the States. Fortunately, international schools tend to offer generous compensation packages that go beyond just an excellent salary. The packages often include exemptions from local and U.S. taxes, comprehensive health care plans with global coverage and no cost, free tuition for children, free housing, and paid travel back home during breaks. Each school has its own unique perks in its package. For instance, at one school where I worked, we had a car and a driver for the first two months.
What are some of the drawbacks of teaching at an international school?
Teaching at an international school presents challenges and uncertainties that potential educators should consider carefully. One significant issue is the inherent ambiguity; often, you won't visit the school or the country before accepting a position. Despite conducting multiple interviews, my international roles involved moving to a place I had never visited. This uncertainty can be exciting for some, offering a sense of novelty and adventure. However, for others, it can be daunting and disqualifying.
It's essentially a leap of faith. It requires you to have a great deal of trust in the interviewers and the process. No matter how strong that trust is, my experience has taught me that expectations can sometimes differ from reality. Although it's not malicious, there might be discrepancies between what was promised during interviews and what is provided or things you hadn't expected that went unsaid. This is lived and tangible ambiguity, and you must have some amount of tolerance for it.
Another consideration is the inverse relationship between the location's desirability and the compensation package's attractiveness. For example, Western European schools may offer lower salaries and fewer perks than Asian schools, which often provide more comprehensive benefits.
What skills transfer well from a school in the US and an international school?
Pedagogically speaking, international schools tend to be more progressive, student-centered, and inquiry-driven than their US counterparts. I’m honestly not sure I know of a single international school that uses the familiar A-F grading scale, for instance. Teachers in international settings are expected to excel in creating engaging, dynamic classroom environments that cater to a diverse student body. Teaching a class of 18 students from 18 countries speaking 18 languages requires highly personalized and differentiated instruction strategies. As such, adaptability and an enthusiasm for continuous learning are also highly valued in international schools, which is why these institutions look for educators who are skilled, open-minded, eager to embrace new cultures, and quick to adopt innovative teaching methods. Remember: it is a heavy investment on the part of the school to cover the expenses related to your relocation and integration, so they want to be sure that you are the right fit for the school and that you can thrive personally while living abroad.
Are there some countries more open to American teachers?
Most countries are open to hiring American teachers, with only a few exceptions, such as Iran and North Korea. Additionally, in nations like Russia, the potential for diplomatic deterioration might make working there risky, as foreign teachers can sometimes become pawns in broader political disputes. However, aside from these specific political and societal contexts, international schools globally are generally very receptive to qualified American educators.
Schools worldwide value American teachers' expertise and educational background, particularly in delivering an English-language curriculum or American-style educational programs. Thus, apart from a few geopolitical exceptions, American teachers are much sought after.
How can you find a job in an international school?
Finding a job at an international school can be straightforward if you know where to look. While platforms like LinkedIn offer numerous listings, starting with proven specialists in the field is advisable for those new to international teaching. Search Associates and ISS (International Schools Services) are the go-to agencies for many prospective international educators. I know that some international teachers reading this post might be rolling their eyes at these suggestions. Still, these organizations are well-regarded and especially helpful for new teachers for a couple of crucial reasons:
Reputable and Accredited Schools: Search Associates and ISS vet the schools they work with, ensuring they are accredited and reputable. This vetting process helps safeguard candidates and provides security and trust.
Detailed Insight into Employment Packages: Particularly notable with Search Associates, these organizations provide a transparent and detailed view of what potential employment packages will include. They outline specifics like potential savings, housing details, and school facilities. This level of detail allows candidates to make well-informed decisions before even applying.
What lingering questions do you have about international schools? Or if you've worked in them, where and what was your experience? We'd love to know.
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