Anyone teach the International Baccaleureate?

[Booboostwo]

Does anyone teach the IB and have any advice on how to get into this kind of teaching?

My background is slightly unusual...I am a philosopher (which would be relevant to the Theory of Knowledge part of the IB and, depending on the subject, the extended essay, as well as philosophy teaching throughout the IB). I worked in HE for 15 years, then took a break with young DC and want to get back into teaching. However, HE doesn't appeal that much and would be practically difficult as I'd have to relocate, whereas there are 5 IB schools where we are moving to, plus working during school terms would be easier in terms of childcare.

In terms of teaching experience, I have mainly taught HE students, but I have developed teaching resources for all levels including national resources for an Extended Project in philosophy. I also have received grants in excess of 2.5milion for my work on teaching philosophy. I mention this to show that I am knowledgeable about education at all levels.

In terms of qualifications I have a BA, MA and PhD in philosophy but my only teaching related qualification is a Postgrad Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (I also did an online diploma on teaching English as a foreign language to primary students because I volunteer at my DCs school and I have tutored friends' children for the French Bac in philosophy and English).

Do you think I could get an IB job? Would the lack of a teaching degree be a problem? If yes, what is the quickest way to overcome it (online? Diploma? MA?).?

[Phineyj]

Are you able to say where you're moving to? If it's the UK, a lot of 'IB schools' do GCSE lower down the school and sometimes A-level in tandem with IB, so you'd need to be prepared to teach RS to years 7-11 and at -level I think. Basically you'd be lucky to find a Philosophy and TOK-only contract and to just teach sixth form. You don't need a formal teaching qualification to teach in independents or academies (so, most schools) but schools can use this as a reason to pay on the unqualified scale, which is not generous. IB is very expensive for schools to run, too, meaning less budget available for salaries and training.

[Phineyj]

The quickest way to get qualified is to find a job and convince them to train you on the job. Most UK ITT providers can't do sixth form only, Philosophy or IB - that's far too niche. I managed it by training in KS4 RS which was really not what I wanted to do as an Economics specialist!

[TheFallenMadonna]

I taught IB in my last school (UK state school). I got into it by applying to teach at that school, quite simply. All the TOK teachers had other subjects that they taught across the school. One did teach exclusively 6th form (TOK and their first subject), but was also SLT so reduced timetable anyway. However, we were an English state school, only doing IB at 6th form, so no MYP further down the school, so I don't know whether your experience would be more desirable in another type of school.

[Booboostwo]

I see that is very helpful, thank you.

We’re moving to Germany. There are five IB only schools in the city, so they don’t teach anything but IB in those schools.

Did I understand this right...teacher will teach every subject at a specific level, rather than one subject across levels? Which would make it very odd to hire someone to teach philosophy across years in different parts of the IB?

[TheFallenMadonna]

No, the opposite. I taught Biology to all years, Biology and Psychology IBDP/CP.

[Booboostwo]

Yes, thank you TheFallen. I thought maybe the two posters above you were saying the opposite, but perhaps I misunderstood. I wouldn’t want to teach sixth form exclusive, but I would only be able to teach philosophy. My impression is there is quite a bit of philosophy at different levels in the IB programmer.

[Phineyj]

I can't advise on IB in Germany as the IB works slightly differently in every country. In the UK schools normally do GCSE at 16, but I don't think the Germans have an exam at that age. I think your best bet is to contact the schools directly. I do not think it is easy to work as an unqualified teacher in other countries, however (but if they are private schools, maybe it makes a difference).

[Phineyj]

I suggest you post again in the expats topic with IB in Germany as the title.

[Booboostwo]

These schools tend to do IGCSEs.

Thanks I will try that.

[Phineyj]

OK - so the key questions are, which GCSEs and how large are the schools. The larger they are, the more likely they can support a sixth form only Philosophy specialist and the GCSEs could include the Philosophy and Ethics one.

[welshpixie]

If you are going to teach in Germany be aware that some parts require the German equivalent of a teaching degree. If you are looking at Berlin PM me I worked at an IB school there for years.

[Booboostwo]

Thank you both. Welshpixie I will PM you.