I'm a high school junior interested in teaching special education, and I'm considering doing so on a military base abroad. What should I know about special needs teaching jobs overseas on bases? Are there specific qualifications required?
Joining the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) as a special education teacher can be a rewarding way to merge your interest in special education and a desire to live overseas. DoDEA operates schools in various locations across Europe, the Middle East, East Asia, and the Pacific providing education to the children of active military personnel.
The requirements for these roles are very similar to teaching roles in the U.S. You would generally need a bachelor’s degree in special education or a bachelor's degree with a certification in special education. Your studies should ideally include a student-teaching internship and course work on child development and learning difficulties.
Moreover, you'll have to meet the highly qualified teacher standards, which may include passing a state certification test in special education. Keep in mind, obtaining your certification from a state that has reciprocity agreements with multiple other states could be beneficial in providing more flexibility in your job search.
Experience is another important factor considered by DoDEA when they hire teachers. If you have experience teaching special education, particularly if it includes collaborating with military families, it could be very valuable.
Finally, one unique aspect of working on a military base overseas is the likelihood of encountering children from many diverse backgrounds. Being sensitive to and knowledgeable about cultural differences could also be advantageous in this role.
Keep in mind that positions overseas with the DoDEA are federal jobs, and you should expect the application process to be quite competitive. Check the USAJobs website regularly to stay updated about vacancies.
Overall, if you're passionate about special education and open to the unique challenges and rewards of working with military families overseas, pursuing a teaching career in a DoDEA school could be a great fit for you.
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