China’s public and private education sectors have become a destination for young teachers from around the globe. In China’s efforts to take the spotlight on the international stage of commerce, it’s added English to its education system’s nationwide curriculum in order to prepare the next generation for China’s international success. As a result of this, many schools which are advertising an “international education” are looking to fill their teaching and administrative openings with foreign professionals. This is an amazing opportunity for those who are looking to work their way up to a leadership or administrative role in education. If you’re willing to take the time to work at the entry-level, offer a little extra help where you think it’s needed, stick with the same institution for several years, and possibly add an extra degree to your resume, you could find yourself being promoted to an educational leadership position. I spoke with a few foreign administrators in several Chinese schools and educational companies about how to work your way to a supervisory role.
A Little Time Goes a Long Way
In order to help you get a better idea about how to strategically work your way to a leadership role within your school, I spoke with Matt Williamson, an American currently working as a Vice Principal at an international school in Shanghai. “It was rather astounding when they gave me this opportunity. I’m only 32, and I have about six years of teaching experience. I think one of the main reasons they selected me for this promotion is that I stayed with this school for four straight years. Many of the other foreign teachers who’ve worked here have come and gone. From my first year at this school until the fourth, all the teachers that started with me had left. Another part of the reason I got this job, in my opinion, is my work ethic, my willingness to collaborate with fellow teachers, and my noticeable dedication to the school and its students.”
Expats come and expats go. Teaching in China has become more of a transitory pathway than a destination for people’s teaching careers. From what I’ve seen, people reside in China around three years before returning to their homeland or packing up and hopping over to another country to continue teaching. The schools understand this and they build their organizational structure accordingly. If you can be that rare foreign teacher who stays with the school and becomes a valuable asset, the school may recognize your commitment and honor it by offering you a position as a department head, vice principal, or principal.
Do a Little Extra
I have worked with many foreign teachers who refuse to do anything that’s outside of their contract. If the school asks them to take part in a ceremony or help set up an event or party, they whine, moan, and complain about how the school’s taking advantage of them. If you’re currently working at a private education company or private school, volunteer for these duties. Gabriella Garcia, a Foreign Teacher Department Head at a training center in Guangzhou, shared her thoughts on this workplace scenario, “I remember our school’s manager held a meeting to inform the foreign staff that our school will be holding a Christmas party. They asked us for volunteers to help decorate the school and organize the event. None of my fellow teachers were interested in helping and some where even upset that this was requested of them! I saw this as an opportunity to show the leaders at the school that I’m willing to go above and beyond in order to help their students’ truly experience a western holiday.” Gabriella continued on to explain the result of her volunteering, “From that point on, I was in charge of coordinating any holiday-themed parties and I made sure that each party was an authentic experience for the students. After a year of handling these extra duties, I was promoted to Foreign Teacher Department Head.”
It’s not uncommon for schools (especially private schools) to ask teachers to help out with a party, ceremony, or activity that’s outside of the classroom. These schools are run like businesses, and this is one way they market themselves to the local community. By taking the time to help out, even if it’s not necessarily in your contract, you demonstrate to the school that you’re interested in helping them grow. If you want to be promoted, you need to show value. There’s no better form of value than the willingness to go out of your way to give the school an advantage in the local market.
Collaboration & Continued Education
“Excellent teachers and leaders in education are enthusiastic learners in their own right. Try to be creative in your classroom, collaborate with your colleagues, attend education conferences, and pursue an additional degree or certificate.” Daniel Woodley, a Head of Curriculum Design at a private education company based in Chengdu, recommended.
“Most leadership roles require an elevated formal education and certain certifications.” Woodley added. “The requirements for each role may vary, so it’s a good idea to take a close look at what is required for leadership openings within the city you would like to work.”
“It’s also a good idea to explore degrees and professional certificates that are not necessarily geared directly toward education. Education is business, whether the school is public or private. Business education can be an excellent resume booster.” Woodley continued. “I recently hired someone with a business background to take on a management role in our company.”
Aim for Smaller Cities
Most foreign teachers who start their time teaching in China in a smaller city tend to leave for a larger metropolis. The people who live and work in these smaller cities can tell when a foreign coworker isn’t enjoying their surroundings and is planning to leave as soon as possible. Alternatively, they deeply appreciate seeing an expat who loves their city and wants to become a contributing member of their community. In China, relationships are very important. If you take the time to build relationships within a school in a smaller city while spending time building the school’s presence in the community, they’ll likely want to keep you around by giving you a role above being a classroom teacher. Schools love to boast about having foreign leadership, as new foreign teachers appreciate working under someone with a similar cultural background.
Work Your Way Up
Building your resume and acquiring the experience needed to become a leader in education takes time, effort, and patience. If you are currently in China and are interested in taking on an educational leadership role, examine your circumstances and envision how you plan to climb the professional ladder. Are you currently working in a school that asks a little extra of their foreign staff? Be the teacher who steps forward and accepts those extra responsibilities. Does your school’s teaching staff consist mainly of brand new teachers? Demonstrate to your supervisor that you can help these new teachers lesson plan while sharpening their classroom management skills! Are you currently working at a school that doesn’t require office hours (thusly providing you with ample free time)? Look into pursuing an online M.Ed. or MBA program. If you strategize and plan your career path, you will find that having some direction will bring you closer to your goals of becoming an administrator, rather than simply being a good teacher and waiting around, hoping for a promotion.
（By Ted Salonek）
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