Any teachers returning to work out there?

[lavenderbongo]

I am really getting myself stressed about this and since MN has often solved problems for me in the past I am hoping someone out there might give me a bit of advice.
I am in New Zealand, moved over here a year ago and I now want to go back to work as a Geography teacher. I haven't been in a classroon for 4 years and have never taught in NZ. I am thinking about approaching a local school out here and seeing if they will give me some experience in the classroom so I can figure out what it is like out here and just get back into the feel of it. I used to love my job - was passionate about it but after 4 years out and in a complelety different country - I am slightly nervous to put it midly!

So how should I approach the school and do you think they would welcome having someone come in a nose about (but obviously help out as well)?

Hi Lavender

If schools in NZ are anything like here, then they would be delighted to have someone come in for experience - they probably would not pay initially - you could ask for voluntary 'practice' work but might offer you supply if they thought you were good. As a geographer you could also offer to help out with field trips -this is another good way of easing back in. Great place to teach geography - teaching the subject in East Anglia is not nearly so exciting! Good luck!

Go to the TES, there is an overseas forum. Lots of people were saying how wonderful NZ was to work in last time I looked. PGCE is recognised just about everywhere. GTP isn't.
NZ recruits British teachers so should be okay, Canada I know has too many teachers and normally wants its teachers qualified higher than PGCE (Masters).