The Global Classroom: Challenges and Opportunities in International Teaching

Global classrooms, local impact — hear from educators navigating diverse school environments around the world.

​In conversation with

​Dr. Roberta Lenger Kang
CPET Executive Director & Host of Teaching Today 

​Dr. Cristina Compton
Director of Program Development

Dr. Katie McMullen
Instructional Specialist​​​​

Jonathan Beltran-Alvarado
​Lead Professional Development Coach​​​​

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Snapshot

​This episode features Dr. Katie McMullen and Jonathan Beltran-Alvarado sharing their experiences teaching in Singapore, Lebanon, and Colombia. They explore how educators can successfully navigate cultural differences and work with diverse student and teacher populations in international schools. The discussion covers practical considerations for teaching across different settings — from urban to suburban to rural environments. Our guests provide guidance on evaluating potential schools and building meaningful connections within new teaching communities. Throughout the episode, we emphasize the fundamental importance of providing quality education for all students, regardless of location.

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Breakdown

​In this episode, we bridge theory and practice in the classroom as we discuss the following:

• Challenges and support in educational environments
• Teacher preparation and safety considerations
• Community integration and educational investment

Challenges and Support in Educational Environments
Teaching in diverse and high-need environments presents unique challenges that require specific support and incentives. Schools must develop strategies to attract and retain teachers in low-income areas while acknowledging the need for career flexibility. The commitment required for educators to embed themselves in a community can involve significant risks, as illustrated by Dr. Katie McMullen’s experience of leaving a volatile region due to safety concerns. Additionally, countries must demonstrate their commitment to public education by creating supportive environments for educators, taking inspiration from successful models like Finland's educational investment approach.

Teacher Preparation and Safety Considerations
Educators face unexpected responsibilities and situations that extend beyond traditional teaching duties. This reality is exemplified by Katie’s role as a designated runner in case of a school shooting. The challenge of preparing teachers for unique settings, such as war zones, volatile communities, or any school that goes through a traumatic experience,  requires specialized training and support. Teachers must maintain flexibility and open-mindedness when working in different environments, viewing challenges as opportunities for professional growth and resource development. These considerations highlight the complex balance between educational responsibilities and personal safety.

Community Integration and Educational Investment
The importance of understanding and integrating into new educational communities is paramount, particularly in light of current challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on educational investment and student learning. Teachers moving to new communities, whether domestically or internationally, must conduct thorough research and remain open to learning from local solutions. The pandemic has highlighted the critical need for international cooperation in addressing learning loss and maintaining educational investment. Success in new environments often depends on educators' willingness to spend time understanding community dynamics while balancing self-care with their commitment to student success.

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Taking Action

• Whatever your location, remember that as a teacher, you are also a learner. Enjoy what you can learn from the community around you.
• When interviewing at a new school, remember you are interviewing them, too. Ask questions about how the school supports its teachers. Find out what resources will be available to you. 
• If logistically possible, visit local spots in the neighborhood of the school in which you plan to teach. Spend time at the park, cafe, nail salon, bookstore, or bodega. Listen and learn from the community around you so you can connect with your students and their families. ​

Summary assisted by Zoom AI Companion and Claude (Anthropic, 2024) ​​​