Becoming An IB School Educator in the Philippines
There’s more to getting hired as a teacher in an IB World School in the Philippines than having a graduate degree and an IB educator certificate. Although these two credentials can give you leverage, other factors like teaching skill and valuable experience may turn out to be weighty as well.
IB World Schools are looking for skilled teachers who demonstrate expertise in their area of instruction. And, though having some form of training and experience in the IB curriculum is ideal, international schools are ready to make an exception if the rest of your qualifications are exemplary.
Basic requirements in teaching in an IB school
Like in all high schools, a teaching role in an IB school or any international school requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Education or higher, a degree in the subject you will teach, a teaching license, and at least two years of classroom experience.
Aspiring teachers should not expect an international school to be a place to gain teaching experience. Teachers are expected to be ready to manage their class with confidence and authority and should have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in their subject matter.
Although a master’s degree is not required, it is important to demonstrate expertise in your subject of specialisation.
Is an IB educator certificate relevant?
If your other qualifications are acceptable in an IB World School, does that make an IB certification irrelevant? Not really. The ability of a teacher to use an IB approach to teaching is crucial, as IB is very different from the conventional, teacher-centric educational paradigm that we’re used to in the Philippines.
In an IB programme, students are encouraged to figure things out through questions, critical thinking, and experimentation. They are entrusted with the responsibility to navigate their educational progress.
IB also applies principles like IB learner profiles, and subjects like Theory of Knowledge (TOR), things that are unique to the curriculum.
Applying for an IB educator certificate
To receive a certificate from the IB Organization, you must enrol in any of the IB authorised campuses that offer your chosen course. You must also inform the IB Organization of your intent to get a certification, and then apply for certification after you’ve passed all your subjects.
You may pursue two levels of educator certification, but you must begin with Level 1. The course you are to take also depends on the specific school level you will teach, which can be:
- Primary Years Programme (PYP)
- MYP Middle Years Programme (MYP)
- Diploma Programme (DP)
Level 1 is an IB Certificate of Teaching and Learning, which is for teachers who are either new or experienced in IB. To apply for this, you need a teaching license, a graduate degree or its equivalent, and a minimum of three years of classroom teaching experience. It provides base-level training, which includes curriculum processes, teaching and learning, assessment, and professional learning.
Level 2, or the IB Advanced Certificate in Teaching and Learning Research, is for experienced IB educators who have passed Level 1, and those committed to research in specific areas of IB education. The requirements include five years of IB teaching, of which three years should be spent teaching the same subject in one school. The course involves a discussion of contemporary issues in IB education, research practice, and other topics.
Classes in the IB certification courses use a combination of face-to-face, online, and blended learning. If the course you want is not offered in the Philippines, you may complete it via distance learning. Both levels are typically 10-credit courses that take 20 or more weeks to finish.
Obtaining an IB educator certificate gives aspiring IB teachers a competitive edge over others, not only locally, but also when applying for a teaching position in other IB World Schools. Moreover, it is a good way to begin your professional growth as an IB educator.
An exception to the rule
Not all IB programme teachers hold IB educator certificates. An international school has the option to waive a certification requirement or preference when it sees that a teacher will bring invaluable knowledge and experience to the school.
Once these non-IB educators are already part of the IB school system, they may be required to attend IB workshops or pursue further training on their own through IB professional development opportunities hosted by the school.
Landing a teaching job in an IB World School may be more challenging than in a non-IB school. If you’re confident about your teaching experience and skill, however, do not hesitate to apply even if you don’t have an IB certificate yet. You can always get certified while teaching there. An IB certification is not always required, but it’s a good way to gain teaching advantage and begin your career as an IB educator.