Garrett Richardson’s Global Journey from Engineering to Teaching Economics

A career change is big life move, especially when it involves leaving a profession you know inside and out for something entirely different. But for Garrett Richardson, the leap from reconstruction engineer in Orlando, Florida, to economics teacher in Asia has opened doors to experiences and opportunities he never imagined possible. 

And it all started with one phone call. 

“A friend called me up and asked me if I wanted to move across the world and go teach science in China, and I was off to the races for a few years and really liked it,” Richardson remembered. “So, fast forward [to] now, I’m teaching economics and I really love it. I’m going to continue to do this until I can’t.” 

Currently at Branksome Hall Asia in Jeju, South Korea, Richardson is in his fourth year at the school and brings 10 years of international teaching experience to his role in addition to serving as the creativity, activity, and service (CAS) coordinator. 

But despite his passion and commitment to the world of education, teaching was not always at the top of Richardson’s preferred careers.

Breaking Free from the Family Business 

“I kind of wanted to avoid [education] because my dad is the principal of a school. My uncle was a principal. My grandfather was a principal,” Richardson noted. “I wanted to avoid it, but it’s kind of like the family calling.” 

Instead, he put his undergraduate science degrees to use in the engineering field. The work was steady, but something was missing. When his friend’s phone call came, the chance to make a defining move in his life stirred something in Richardson, so — despite having no formal teaching background — he began the process of moving across the world, and soon he would make another major discovery when he found that he genuinely loved leading a classroom. 

Navigating Teaching Licenses

Richardson likes to have options. That’s one reason why he was open to teaching science when he initially went to China despite having a master’s degree in applied economics. Over the decade he’s spent teaching abroad, Richardson has intentionally gained experience to make his resume versatile. 

“I like to keep all avenues open,” he said. 

While he already had a Florida teaching license that set him up to teach science, Richardson was seeking a more formal teaching credential to help him fully transition to teaching economics in the event that he’d ever need it. He was also facing an upcoming mandatory licensing renewal when he encountered one big obstacle: Florida’s lack of reciprocity with other states meant his license wasn’t easily transferable, and the state’s complex renewal requirements posed additional challenges for someone living internationally. 

“The [Florida] licensing is really difficult [because] I [would] have to go there in person for everything and I’m located on the other side of the world,” Richardson said. 

Without reciprocity, Richardson wasn’t able to transfer his teaching license to another state to add the economics endorsement that he would need to teach in certain countries like Saudi Arabia or Dubai, if he ever chose to leave South Korea.

Why Moreland University Made Sense

Richardson began looking into alternate paths that would allow him to earn his economics endorsement along with another, more flexible teaching license. That’s when he discovered that a few colleagues at his school had earned their U.S. teaching licenses through Moreland University’s fully online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program, which provides certification through Washington, D.C. Hearing positive feedback from peers who he trusted gave Richardson the confidence he needed to do more research. 

“[They] said the program was very straightforward, and it was cost effective,” Richardson remembered. “When you factor in the price of the [certification] tests, the fact that in Florida you renew every four years and I think D.C. is every five, and a lot of the Florida renewing in subject area I [would] have to take a test and then pay out of pocket when I don’t have a stipend from a school district for it, the cost mapped out to actually being more cost effective to just pay for Moreland than re-license in Florida for another subject area.” 

Like a true economics pro, Richardson also made sure to include the cost of flights from South Korea to Florida and back in his calculations.  

Then he enrolled in TEACH-NOW, noting that the D.C. certification’s flexibility and worldwide value would “unlock any of the top tier jobs” he may want to pursue in the future. 

The program’s efficiency was another major factor. As someone balancing a full-time teaching load and licensing coursework of his own, Richardson appreciated Moreland’s respect for candidates’ calendars. 

“It’s very respectful of your time and it’s quite easy to manage work-life balance. I [had] a one-hour video call once a week,” Richardson said. “The main thing is just selecting a time that works for you every single week, not just in the first week…and then allocating maybe two hours every week for reading and doing your deliverables… The certification is very time effective.”

Building a Sustainable International Career

Teaching internationally offers unique advantages that Richardson has leveraged throughout his career. Beyond the obvious benefits of experiencing new cultures and cuisines, international teaching provides significant financial advantages, according to Richardson. 

“You get to save a lot more money than you would if you were teaching [in the U.S.]. I would say I make a little bit more than a teacher back home on just salary alone, but most international schools provide you with a free apartment, so whatever your rent is, that’s now savings,” Richardson said. “That’s a very helpful thing for me, somebody who has student loans, [so] I’m able to pay back my student loans relatively quickly and also save for retirement. It’s financially lucrative.” 

These financial benefits, combined with the personal growth that comes from living abroad, create a compelling package for career-minded educators who are open to new experiences. 

Richardson’s most reassuring advice? “Always remember that you’re just one flight away from home, so don’t worry. Just take a chance.”

Your Path Forward in International Education 

Richardson’s journey from engineering in Florida to teaching economics in South Korea shows how anyone can transform their career — and their life — with the right combination of opportunity and credentials. 

If you’re ready to explore international teaching opportunities or need flexible certification options that work with your current career, learn more about Moreland’s 100% online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program. You can complete the program and earn your U.S. teaching license in as little as 9 months, and the free application can be completed in less than 15 minutes to help you take the next step in your teaching journey.