Explaining Your Weirdness
Getting into US Schools Part 2
I began this topic discussing how to begin recruitment to the USA. You can reference that article here: https://pancakeonastick.substack.com/p/getting-into-us-schools
Let’s assume you are doing well and have lined-up some interviews. Let’s also assume you have been working overseas for more than three years. Any expat will tell you that after a few years abroad people generally change. They develop some weirdness from the standpoint of those who have not been out traveling and working.
The first thing to realize is that the majority of the people in the world do not travel and work outside of their home country. This is one reason an experienced expat is weird. Embrace it. Own it. Prepare for it.
You may think that this makes you interesting, adventurous, open-minded, culturally competent, etc. These things are likely all true and the reality of your life.
However, when people in places like the USA hear or read about their expat compatriots overseas the main stream media generally frames those people as, well, let’s just say not good people.
Make sure to explain things about your previous schools. People need to understand things like schools are accredited in the USA, have embassy students, have background checks etc.
When you make initial exchanges with the HR team casually ask things like, “What kind of background checks do you require? My lost job needed one from every country I worked in for the last ten years.”
Let them know you are arriving from a reputable place with established professional guidelines.
The next issue is stability. This one is very likely to be in the minds of those conducting the interview. Most expats want to work and travel. It is not unusual that every 3-5 years, expats change jobs. In fact, one could argue this is not only a great way to work and travel, but to improve earnings and savings.
Schools in the USA have teachers that have been there for 10-20 years. They have a tough time accepting the fact that a person who was changing jobs often will now be stable and settled. I believe this to be a reasonable concern, and if you are aware of it you can prepare answers that relieve that fear.
It is not likely you will be asked bluntly about your stability. It is best that you imply and that they infer, from a variety of answers, that you are in fact looking to stay put for a while.
In reality, schools in the USA also have turnover. They have people coming and going all the time. I have been shocked at the number of people who leave mid-term. That is rare in the expat world, regardless of the profession.
The other reason you might be weird, curriculum. Odds are, as an expat educator you have worked in the IB, IGCSE, etc. I have worked in schools running three curricula. A logical person would say, “Yes. Good idea. Choose the best option for the students and change it if needed.”
Schools in the USA probably have a set curriculum concept that they have been using for a long time. In fact, they may never have heard of the IB, IGCSE, etc. If you want to connect their experience with your experience, then you have to research their course catalogs and website.
This is really the only solution. For example you can stress how demanding the IB is, but, they may believe their overall methodology is better. Instead of creating a contrast, create a comparison.
“I noticed that you are heavy on lab work. It looks like from grade 10-12 the students are pulling as many lab hours as class hours. I have been working in a similar environment for over three years. Hands-on work is the best.”
If you can’t find the details online, then you need to control the conversation from the jump. Do not wait until the end.
“We would like to ask you about you experience teaching computer science in high school.”
~”OK. I need to ask you something. I was looking over your website and could not find your curriculum guide for computer science or your high school course of studies. Maybe I missed it. Can you first explain the requirements students need to meet before they take computer science?”
As a rule avoid labels and instead discuss content and outcomes.
So you are weird because of the media, assumed wonderlust, and for warping your mind with some alien curriculum. But, being weird is good, never let that go.
Understanding the other side of the problem will help you master the solution. Imagine what the interviewers are thinking, and work on connecting and aligning and not competing and dividing.
Why is this SubStack called, Pancake on a Stick?
Pancake on a Stick is the single funniest story I have ever heard in my life. In about a year from now, the event will be reenacted and recorded. I named the SubStack after the story, because every time I think of the name, I smile and laugh. This helps with my writing and tone, and makes me always remember the most important things in life.
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Most social media is dead to me, but you can find me on LinkedIn and Youtube.
LinkedIn (A bastion of boredom but mostly on mission)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tdeprato/
Email
info@tonydeprato.com
My video series on Expat Recruitment is BORING but useful Listen or Watch and you can master this process.