If you’re a US citizen currently researching the best teaching jobs overseas for certified teachers (and feeling a little overwhelmed by all the options), you may have come across opportunities to teach abroad (and even stateside) on a military base.
It also happens to be the perfect job opportunity for military spouses who hold a US teaching license.
What’s it like to teach on a US military base overseas?
Teaching jobs on US military bases abroad offer similar cultural immersion opportunities to other certified teachers working in American international schools or government programs abroad. Another huge pro? These schools tend to be located in bustling, multicultural urban centers.
And, arguably, you won’t experience the same level of culture shock as other teach abroad opportunities. Most people will speak English and many of the conveniences you’re used to in the US can be easily found on base.
There are exchanges (which are much the same as department stores you’re used to at home, without the extra sales tax tacked on ) and commissaries (similar to your standard grocery store stateside).
What’s more, the teaching environment and curricula taught are all modeled closely on the US public school system. If you’re a certified US educator, then transitioning to teaching on a military base overseas should be a relatively seamless process. These schools also offer the same specialized programs that US schools do, including ESL, AP and special education, so if you teach these subjects in the US, then there are some great career opportunities for you on US military bases overseas.
Where can I find teaching jobs on military bases?
The job involves teaching the children of military members stationed overseas at schools run by the US Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA).
More than 9,000 teachers are working in over 190 schools in American military bases both at home and abroad at this present time. These schools span over a dozen countries around the world (and seven states in the US), enrolling almost 75,000 students at the elementary and high school level.
Schools on military bases overseas are located in the following countries:
- Japan
- Okinawa
- South Korea
- Guam
- UK
- Germany
- Spain
- The Netherlands
- Italy
- Turkey
- Belgium
- Bahrain
Schools on military bases in the US are located in the following states:
- New York
- North Carolina
- Kentucky
- South Carolina
- Alabama
- Virginia
- Georgia
What are the benefits of teaching on a military base?
As a DoDEA teacher, you’ll get the same perks and benefits offered to regular government employees, including health and life insurance, pension contributions, paid vacation, housing and utility allowances, plus relocation expenses.
What’s the salary like for teachers on military bases?
Your pay would be comparable to other US state teaching salaries. Similarly to public school teaching jobs in the US and other American international schools abroad, teachers with advanced degrees can expect to earn a higher salary.
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What are the requirements for teaching on a military base overseas?
Qualifications you need to teach on a military base:
If you’re looking to teach abroad on a US military base, then you’ll need to have completed at least a bachelor’s degree, finished an accredited teacher training program in the United States and hold a valid US teaching license.
Note: If you hold a teaching license issued via an alternative certification program then you won’t qualify for teaching jobs on military bases overseas.
Experience you need to teach on a military base:
You’ll need student teaching experience, at minimum.
You don’t have to be a member of the military to qualify for teaching jobs with the Department of Defense.
If you’re interested in teaching at a school in a military base located in a particular state in the US and you hold a license from a different state, you’ll need to check whether that state currently has a reciprocal agreement with the state that issued your teaching license.
You can sign up for job alters that match your experience and qualifications (or simply browse and apply for the latest job openings) on USAJOBS.gov. Regional job fairs are held on a continuous basis throughout the year. Good luck!
