Zoos, Aquariums, and Kathy Schmidt’s Path to Teaching
| by Alex Skov
Kathy Schmidt’s teaching career didn’t start in a traditional classroom, but her intuition and spirit of exploration naturally led her into education.
“I really wanted to work in zoos and aquariums and be an environmental educator,” she said. “I’ve always loved that. I love the environment.”
Going to school for a bachelor’s in natural resources with an emphasis in education, Schmidt soon realized that many full-time positions at zoos and aquariums required a doctoral degree. She also discovered that most people with doctorates working in those settings were stuck in administrative roles, which was not exactly what she envisioned for herself.
With a less-defined future than she once imagined, Schmidt followed opportunities as they were presented to her.
“I would have a job for summer and then have to find something else, and then just one thing led to another and all these different, shiny new doors would open,” she remembered. “I’d be like, ‘Oh, let me go try that,’ and then started online teaching with one company, which led to another company, which led to another company, then I started teaching a lot of my Chinese students privately and it just snowballed to, ‘Hello, I’m in Morocco!’”
Along the way, Schmidt discovered a talent for engaging learners, even in unconventional settings, like when she served as a scuba diving instructor. But it wasn’t until she ventured into online teaching while in South Korea that Schmidt began to consider a more structured career in education. After 3 years of teaching in that setting, Schmidt eventually secured a teaching role at the American Academy of Casablanca.
Taking the Leap into Formal Teaching
Schmidt’s initial decision to pursue U.S. teacher certification was driven by both professional ambition and the evolving landscape of international education.
“The process of being hired as an international teacher is changing quite a bit,” she noted. “It’s no longer [getting hired] if you just have a TEFL or TESOL or a bachelor’s now. More and more countries are requiring [candidates] to have an actual teacher’s license.”
With her sights set on building a more sustainable career, Schmidt enrolled in Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program on the recommendation of one of her bosses — a decision that opened doors both in her classroom and in her confidence as an educator.
“When I came into the more typical teaching style, people would say things like, ‘Alright, let’s discuss the scope and sequence,’ and I’d be like, ‘What does that mean?’” she recalled. “I didn’t know any of the verbiage, and so doing [TEACH-NOW] helped me be like, ‘Oh, yeah, no problem! I know what you’re talking about.’”
Developing her traditional teaching skills and being equipped with the right terminology helped Schmidt settle into her school in Morrocco, where she estimates that she hears students speaking 7 different languages in her classroom on any given day. While she was initially teaching those students, though, they also helped pique her interest in pursuing a Master’s in Education (M.Ed.) with a focus in teaching multilingual learners through Moreland. She’s currently partway through the program and notes the consistency and quality of the instructors as a standout feature.
“All the instructors in Moreland have been fantastic,” Schmidt said, “Every now and then, getting [a] good grade where the instructor says, ‘Hey, this is amazing!’ [reminds me] like, ‘Oh, yes, I’m still a great teacher!’”
It isn’t just the Moreland faculty who notice and acknowledge Schmidt’s advanced skills, either. When observing her classes, Schmidt’s principal noted that she wished they could bottle her inherent teaching ability and share it with everyone on staff at the academy.
Finding Confidence in the Classroom
Prior to starting her certification program, Schmidt faced some moments of second-guessing as she transitioned into a more structured school environment, despite already having several years of teaching experience.
“I had started doubting myself in classroom teaching,” she admits. “But [at] Moreland, I was like, ‘No, look: I’m actually really good at this. I know what I’m talking about.’”
Beyond technical knowledge and reassurance, Moreland also provided a supportive network. As part of the global cohort model, Schmidt completed each TEACH-NOW module with most of the same classmates who she began the program with, forming bonds with her peers and learning from each of their unique approaches to teaching along the way.
Advice for Aspiring International Educators
For those considering a career in international teaching, Schmidt notes that the process is no longer just about applying for a position and expecting to get a job because international teaching has become more popular in recent years, which has made the job market more competitive.
“Having a teacher certificate [is] becoming a big thing,” she said.
She also stresses the importance of research, saying that new international teachers might get a job that sounds like it pays great upfront when in reality cost of living and taxes may account for most of the salary. At that point, Schmidt says, you have to ask yourself: Do you want to go for the experience? Do you want to save money? Do you want a long-term home?
A (More) Credentialed Future
Schmidt is already considering the next credentials she might add to her resume once completes her M.Ed. program, including certifications in curriculum design and learning support, as well as a possible International Baccalaureate (IB) training to dovetail with her school’s programming.
“Our school is an IB school, but it’s only an 11th and 12th grade, and I’m in middle school so I inadvertently started a middle school IB Prep club, accidentally on purpose,” she said with a laugh. “Not quite sure how that happened.”
No matter what she decides to pursue, Schmidt’s intuition and openness to new opportunities will help propel her forward.
If you’re considering a career as an international teacher or you’re ready to grow professionally, Moreland is ready to support you. Complete your free application to our 100% online 9-month TEACH-NOW Teacher Certificate Preparation Program or one of our 12-month master’s degree programs today. It takes less than 15 minutes to take this important step in your teaching journey.
