Beyond The Job Description: Finding The Right Learning Support Teacher For Your School

There are hundreds (or more) of international school job openings this school year for student support, learning support, or special education teachers globally. 

This role is going to make a positive difference in your international school. 

International schools enroll students from various backgrounds, many of whom may have undisclosed or undiagnosed learning needs or differences.  More and more, international schools are beginning to follow inclusive education models, or have been touting “inclusion” on their website. Accredited international schools, especially those following Western curricula (IB, British, American, etc.), often have guidelines for supporting students with learning needs. 

An experienced learning support specialist or special education teacher on the team ensures that students with learning differences receive the necessary support to participate fully in general classrooms, fostering a more equitable learning environment. General education teachers rely on having an expert to help co-teach or create modifications in instruction for neurodiverse students. Schools that prioritize and implement strong inclusion practices are gaining recognition, while those still developing their approach are also drawing attention.

The role of a Learning Support specialist in international schools comes with unique challenges and responsibilities that extend beyond traditional expectations. Being a special education teacher in an international school requires resourcefulness and adaptability beyond the basic job description. In many cases, this role may be the only one with insight into the specific needs of families navigating life in a country where special education resources are limited or unavailable to both them and the school.

The Unique Role of Special Education Teachers in International Schools

Unlike in domestic school systems, these educators often operate without the guidance of established laws, IEPs, or formal diagnoses. Instead, they must identify students’ needs, set meaningful goals, and help families develop advocacy skills in a new cultural context.

After reviewing more than 100 learning support job postings, I've identified the core must-haves for a learning support specialist or special education teacher.  Here they are in a nutshell:

• Writing IEP goals and designing interventions tailored to students' learning needs.
• Designing and providing pull-out/push-in co-teaching, direct instruction, or small group interventions.
• Collaborating with a student support team to support Tier 1, 2, or 3 learning or SEL instruction using frameworks such as RTI, differentiation, and/or UDL.
• Assessing student needs and determining whether they require learning support or specialized interventions.
• Adapting materials for neurodiverse learners.
• Holding relevant certifications (Special Education, TEFL/TESOL for ELL students, etc.).

What’s missing? While these qualifications are crucial, they don’t capture the full reality of what special education teachers do in an international setting.

These core competencies are essential, but international schools must consider another crucial aspect when speaking with candidates; the additional “invisible” layers of need that students and families rely on outside their home country- another layer special educators take on in expat communities.

Realities of Supporting Families Abroad 

What is life like for expat families navigating neurodiversity? Many families new to expat life are just beginning to recognize the invisible challenges they will face while living abroad. Others may only realize their child is neurodivergent once they are already settled overseas. A great special education teacher doesn’t just support students—they also play a crucial role in guiding families in these three key ways:

1. Finding Resources Where There Are None- Sometimes, finding the right therapists, psychologists, support groups, specialized tutors, medical help, or assistive technology is necessary but not available through the school. How does the learning specialist creatively bridge those gaps? There is a very good chance there are services in or around the city or community where you live that ebb and flow quite frequently, whether virtually or face-to-face.

2. Navigating Cultural Differences- Understanding how disability and learning differences are perceived, supported, or changing in different cultures, countries, and local communities is something those in the learning support world are in tune with. The learning support specialist can help parents advocate for their child in an unfamiliar system, sometimes without federal, government, or community support. 

3. Supporting Social Integration- Expat students with diverse needs often face challenges beyond the classroom—whether during playdates, after-school activities, or even routine tasks like grocery shopping, especially in a new country and culture. Schools inevitably play a role in supporting both students and their families beyond academics. This has been my reality after more than a decade of working with families worldwide.

These unseen responsibilities make special education teachers in international schools much more than their job descriptions suggest. They must be adaptable, resourceful, and culturally aware problem-solvers who understand the complexities of expat life.

Rethinking Interview Questions for Special Education Teachers

Having been on a hiring team and an international special educator for over a decade—as well as a parent of a neurodiverse preteen—I know firsthand that the best candidates bring more than just technical qualifications. With so many highly qualified educators to choose from, here are five additional questions for you to adapt or consider when speaking with candidates for your school:

• When was a time you had to problem-solve and adapt when resources were limited or nonexistent?
• How did you collaborate with a diverse team, including those unfamiliar with UDL or RTI (for example)?
• What experience do you have navigating different cultural perspectives on learning differences?
• How have you built strong relationships with families to help them find the support they need?
• How have you supported students beyond academics, in their daily lives as expats with special needs?

A great special education teacher in an international school will not only be someone who can write IEPs and deliver effective interventions. They are going to be resourceful advocates and leaders who understand the realities of expat life and can guide struggling families toward crucial resources both within and outside the school. 

Every school culture has its perspective on learning differences and special education. In international settings, special education teachers play a unique role in helping families understand their options, collaborate with schools, and navigate local support networks while adapting to cultural norms. 

For international schools genuinely committed to inclusion, understand that your special education teacher will inevitably go beyond meeting the important checklist of required skills. It is the reality of the expat life. Schools that prioritize educators who not only support students with learning needs but also understand the unique challenges expat families face will foster deeper relationships between the school and your families. 

Have you worked in special education at an international school? What challenges have you faced, and how did you bridge gaps in resources and support? Share your insights in the comments!