How a U.S. Teaching License Can Transform Your International Education Career

My journey has taken me from Ghana to Vietnam and now to Indonesia, and I can confidently say that my best investment as an international educator was earning my U.S. teaching license through Moreland University. I believe this is especially true for current and aspiring teachers who are non-native English speakers or come from a non-Western country. 

While I now teach various science courses and grade levels at an International Baccalaureate (IB) school in Jakarta, Indonesia, my path to this position wasn’t straightforward. I have been teaching for the past 13 years, but finding opportunities to work at top-tier international schools was difficult before earning my U.S. teaching license. 

I started teaching in Ghana in 2012 when I had a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences but no formal education credential. However, I was inspired to build a career inspired by the message of former BBC presenter Komla Dumor, a famous Ghanaian journalist: “There is only one standard — a global standard. Be consistent, operate at 100% every single time you’re given an opportunity.”

This motivated me to pursue global opportunities, with the real turning point coming after an interview for a position teaching biology at an international school in South Korea. The principal was ready to offer me the job, and I had earned a master’s degree in science education at that point, but without a U.S. teaching credential, the immigration office wouldn’t issue me a work permit or visa.

While the principal could not offer me the job, he advised me to get a U.S. teaching license to avoid this issue in the future. When I mentioned that I had been looking into the TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program at Moreland University, he encouraged me to enroll because some of his own teachers were already going through the program and seeing beneficial results.

That’s when my journey with Moreland began. 

The Flexibility of Moreland University’s 100% Online Programs

Even though I did not get the role in South Korea, I found a teaching position in Vietnam and was able to work full-time while starting the Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Technology program. I didn’t have to worry about residency requirements or visas to enroll or graduate from the program, which is mostly self-paced and allowed me to balance my studies with my job and family life. 

I also appreciated that one of the biggest advantages of Moreland’s programs is their flexibility, as I was able to pause my courses for a few months when my wife and I welcomed a child into our family. I explained my situation to my advisor and other faculty members, and they were very understanding. After taking the time I needed, I returned and finished the coursework for my M.Ed. as well the TEACH-NOW program so that I would be prepared to explore more job opportunities with my U.S. teaching certification. 

An Immediate Career Improvement 

While it’s important for international educators to earn their certification, the TEACH-NOW program is about more than just getting a teaching license. I learned so many classroom management skills and instructional techniques that helped me become a better teacher, and I got experience with EdTech tools that I still use today. During our virtual classes, I collaborated with teachers from all over the world as part of Moreland’s global cohort model and learned how they approached teaching, too.

The impact on my career was immediate. I received my U.S. teaching license through Washington, D.C.’s certification pathway on May 29, 2024. Exactly 3 months later, I landed my dream job at a top-tier international school in Jakarta. I can’t think of any other investment that has provided such a quick and meaningful return, especially since the school sponsors visas for my entire family so that we can be together. 

This is the kind of opportunity that was out of reach before I had my U.S. teaching license. 

Leveling the Playing Field for International Educators 

Additionally, many international schools run curricula that originate from the U.S., like the advanced placement (AP) and Common Core, so holding a U.S. license can help teachers be more qualified candidates for positions at these schools. 

Having a U.S. credential can also significantly increase your chances of getting an interview in the first place. The job description for my current school in Jakarta clearly stated they would only consider teachers with certain qualifications, including holding a U.S. teaching. 

Investing in yourself is the best decision you can make. It took a long time and a lot of applications before I landed my first international teaching position in Vietnam, but I promised myself I would give my children the kind of childhood I never had, and that promise kept me going. It still does. 

If you are an international educator looking to advance your career, I strongly encourage you to consider Moreland University. The journey may seem daunting, but it is achievable. 

Take that first step and invest in your future. You won’t regret it.