Frequently asked questions
Q. Do I need a college degree to become a teacher of missionary children?
A. Typically you need a college degree to become a teacher of missionary children. There are circumstances, however, in which an MK school is short of teachers and in desperation may recruit individuals who do not have a degree. However, these teachers have found it difficult to obtain a degree once they begin teaching. It is well worth your time to finish college and obtain a degree.
Q. Related question: Do I need a teaching credential to teach in an MK school, even if I have a college degree?
A. Generally a teaching credential is necessary to teach in an MK school. There are circumstances, however and like the answer above, in which an MK school is short of teachers and in desperation may recruit individuals who do not have a credential. In the past these teachers have found it difficult to obtain a credential once they begin teaching. It is well worth your time to obtain a teaching credential.
Q. What if I have a degree in anthropology, sociology, drama, philosophy, or the like? May I still become an MK teacher?
A. Prospective MK teachers who have degrees in subjects that do not have counterparts in schools may still pursue becoming an MK teacher. However, they will have to rely on minor fields or general education courses to form the basis for a subject to teach. Remember, while you may have a desire to become an MK teacher and to serve the Lord in this way, you must be able to be a contributing member of a school faculty in order to be useful. Making an application to a mission agency when you do not have an acceptable content area to teach would prompt a question like, "what position do you expect to occupy in an MK school?" While it is true that some schools have a hard time recruiting teachers, these same schools have an obligation to the children they serve and to the parents who trust the schools to teach their children.
Contact mission agencies and discuss with them their content area requirements.
Q. How do I locate missionary agencies who have schools for their missionaries?
A. Ask your pastor and church mission group, review Christian magazines, go to the Association for Christian Schools International web site, or go to Mission Agencies on this web site.
Q. What time commitment is required when I become an MK teacher?
A. This is a question you should ask missionary agencies. The time varies from one year to a lifetime. Since all teachers of missionary children are volunteers, the word "obligate" may have a different meaning with different mission agencies. It is refreshing to note that some MK teachers who sign on for two years end up staying for twenty.
Q. Am I paid for teaching or do I have to raise my own support?
A. Again, this is a question to ask prospective mission agencies. Some missionary agencies pay their teachers a modest salary. With other mission agencies teachers, like missionaries in general, raise their own support through their church, family, and friends. All MK teachers, whether salaried or faith supported, need prayer support.
If the teacher stays in MK school teaching for a few years he/she will return to his/her home country for furlough, which is typically a year, to renew financial and prayer support. This is a healthy situation for the teacher, supporters, and the home church in general.
Q. Do I need previous teaching experience?
A. This is another question for missionary agencies since some require experience and some do not. MK schools are busy places and new teachers need to be able to stand on their own two feet. Previous teaching experience, either as a classroom teacher or by participation in the MKTEP, will contribute to the teacher's success. First year teachers in any situation find themselves grappling with classroom issues of academics, discipline, administration, and parents. This is compounded when the new teacher is in a new culture, perhaps in a different climate, perhaps is away from home for the first time.
The Teacher Education Program for Prospective Teaches of Missionary Children (MKTEP) provides an option for gaining teaching experience not offered by traditional teacher preparation programs. Students who complete the program may apply to mission agencies for waiver of post-graduate teaching experience.
Q. Can my spouse, who is not a teacher, come with me and if so what could he/she do?
A. MK schools typically do not have adequate personnel to cover all their needs. A spouse may find opportunities to contribute to the school. Some individuals may become teachers themselves (even though that was not anticipated), or librarians, mechanics, secretaries, landscapers, plumbers, etc.
Q. Where will I/we live?
A. In some cases the school will provide housing on campus and in other cases the teacher will need to locate housing off campus. Sometimes teachers rent a place together and share expenses.
Q. How will I get all my personal and professional things overseas?
A. Mission agencies may have different procedures for this. Items you absolutely cannot be without, take with you. Check with mission agencies with whom you might serve.
Q. What about inoculations?
A. The mission agency with whom you serve or a health care professional can advise you on this. The US Department of State web site may have this information. Inoculations recommended vary from country to country.
Q. What about domestic things like laundry, electricity, heating/cooling, cooking utensils?
A. Some schools will have laundry facilities on campus. If you live in an apartment you may or not have laundry facilities. You may have to locate a commercial laundry place. In some cases laundry may have to be done by hand.
Outside the US and Canada most of the world runs on 220 volts and not 110. Appliances taken should either be convertible between 110 and 220 or strictly 220. In some places there will be transformers that will change 220 to 110. In some places electricity may be rationed.
Americans are accustomed to houses, schools, offices, etc. being heated and cooled. In many areas of the world there is either limited energy for heating and cooling or a different philosophy: "Put on a sweater if you are cold." Be flexible with this and do not expect to see energy use at the same level as in he US or Canada.
With regard to cooking utensils, take some with you but remember that you can always purchase some when you get to your new home. They may not be the same shape or made of the same material but after all, you are entering a new culture. Again, be flexible.
Q. What can I expect with regard to health-related issues such as unsafe water and vegetables that may not be clean?
A. Depending on where you go, water may need to treated or filtered before you drink it or use it for cooking. Vegetables and fruit may need to be treated with chemicals (e.g. chlorine water, iodine, potassium permanganate solution) before use. Your missionary agency will provide you with specific information for the location. The US Department of State web site may have this information.
Q. I have heard stories about personal safety in some places. What can you tell me about this?
A. Some locations of MK schools have more crime than others. Some areas have fenced yards. In some areas travel after dark should be restricted. In other areas one should avoid large gatherings of local people. Missionary agencies typically have a time of orientation for new MK teachers and at that time they will discuss personal safety issues. You might also obtain travel books about the country to which you will be going. The US Department of State web site may have this information.
Q. Do schools follow a standard USA curriculum?
A. Many follow a curriculum typically found in American schools. However, it is possible that you may have children in your class from other countries and that they and their parents will not only be used to a different curriculum but an entirely different view of teaching and learning. This is the primary multicultural teaching challenge an MK teacher faces.
Q. What obligations will I have in addition to teaching?
A. Teachers in boarding schools have many responsibilities after school and on weekends since the students are there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are dorm parents who share some responsibilities with teachers, but teachers do become involved in athletics, clubs, Bible study, counseling, etc.
Teachers in day schools may have of some of these same responsibilities, but since the students leave after school many of these responsibilities end.
Q. Since I will be financially supported by my church, friends, and family in the US, how often should I send them a newsletter or report with regard to what I am doing?
A. Ask the mission agency with whom you will serve. Some missionaries send out a newsletter four times a year, but there is variability.
Q. In a newsletter that I send to supporters I want to mention prayer requests. Is it OK to include requests for personal as well as professional items?
A. Certainly! Those who support you understand that you will be in a new situation and that you will have many new experiences, good and bad. When you go on furlough supporters will ask you for specific prayer requests. Be sure and keep your supporters informed as to what the status is of your requests. When God answers your prayers and those of your supporters, let your supporters know. And remember, God always answers prayer, but the answer may or may not be the answer you expected.
Remember, mission agencies have been serving Christ for a long time and this includes taking care of those with whom they work, including teachers. Please feel free to contact them or Teachers In Service with additional questions.