Frequently Asked Questions
by
Prospective Teachers of Missionary Children
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 a mission 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 a mission school, even if I have a college degree?
A. Generally a teaching credential is necessary to teach in a mission school. There are circumstances, however and like the answer above, in which a mission 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 a mission 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. Do I need previous teaching experience?
A. This is another question for missionary agencies since some require experience and some do not. Mission schools are busy places and new teachers need to be able to stand on their own two feet. Previous teaching experience as a classroom teacher will contribute to the teacher's success. In any situation, first year teachers 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.
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. Is there a better age to go to the mission field as an MK teacher?
A. MK teachers vary from just out of college to those pursuing a second career to retired teachers. Each group has a significant role to play.
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. 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 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. Tell me about living overseas and what to expect?
Hmmm. That is a question that would take a long time to answer. Many books have been written about living overseas. You can anticipate living in an environment that will probably be different from the one you live in now. By environment I mean "culture," food, transportation, cell phone and internet connections, conveniences (like in the kitchen). There could be unpaved streets, no sidewalks, trash all over the place. You will likely be involved in at least three cultures: The culture of the indigenous people of the country where you live; the culture of the mission station, if you will be living on one; and the culture of the school where you will be teaching.
Two books I would recommend are: Figuring Foreigners Out: A Practical Guide, by Craig Storti, Intercultural Press, Inc. 1999, ISBN 1-877864-70-6 Teaching Cross-Culturally: An Incarnational Model for Learning and Teaching, by Judith E. Lingenfelter and Sherwood G. Lingenfelter, Baker Academic, 2003, ISBN 0-8010-2620-2
Q. Do some MK teachers actually teach in international schools?
A. Yes they do. Some international schools have a high percentage of MKs and when an MK teacher teaches there the MKs get a tuition discount.
Q. What is the bottom line on my becoming an MK teacher?
A. Teachers are significant to the Great Commission of Christ, no question! Being part of this enterprise generates a tremendous feeling of "Thank you Lord for permitting me to serve you in this way."
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. 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 most 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 mission 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. I have heard stories about personal safety in some places. What can you tell me about this?
A. Some locations of mission 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 (e.g. Lonely Planet, Backpackers Handbook) about the country to which you will be going. The US Department of State web site may have this information.
Q. What sort of preparation do I need to become an MK teacher?
A. Just like any profession, your preparation needs to be tailored to the job (e.g. doctors, lawyers). Schools of education within a university system prepare teachers. After graduation you should obtain a teaching credential either from your state department of education or from ACSI.
Q. I will be graduating from college in a year and will have a huge, monthly loan repayment. Can I still go to the mission field?
A. Mission organizations vary greatly in what they will permit with regard to loan repayment of education. Please contact your mission organization for specifics. Remember, when you raise your monthly living support from your church, family, and friends (a typical activity for missionaries in general), you may have to tack on education loan repayment. This may mean that instead of raising $3000 for monthly living expenses you would have to raise maybe $3,500.
Q. My dad told me that whatever I do with my life, whether I become an MK teacher or not, the real point is to serve God in whatever capacity He chooses. Would you agree with this?
A. Absolutely! Your dad is correct. The Lord has all sorts of people working for Him and all are needed. I know of MK teachers who once on the mission field for a few years changed from teaching to literacy work with a group of people who had just received a Bible in their own language. I know of another person who switched from teaching to actual Bible translation. Whatever you do, serve God.
Q. Are teachers ever turned down when they make application to become an MK Teacher?
A. Yes they are, just like in any job application. Each profession has standards and with missionaries the standards go beyond academic, experience, and personality. There are questions about debt, morality, health issues, etc. Talk with your mission organization about any concerns you may have.
Q. Is teaching MKs a valuable contribution to the Kingdom?
A. Yes it is! No question about it! I have spent a good bit of my life working with MKs and MK teachers and each day I am more and more convinced that teaching MKs contributes to keeping other missionaries on the field doing the job the Lord sent them there to do. Please read Teaching MKs Is Real Missionary Service. (Link to this new page)
Q. Can my spouse, who is not a teacher, come with me and if so what could he/she do?
A. Mission 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. What should I take with me?
A. I would break this down into two broad categories: Professional and domestic. If you have favorite books for teaching, take those unless they are on-line (they do get heavy). Your laptop of course with lessons, resources, web site addresses, names of individuals you know can help you, etc.
With regard to clothing to take, check with your mission organization about the manner of dress where you will be going. In today's world many things can be purchased locally and in some cases another missionary may be leaving and you can purchase some of their stuff.
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 the 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 house. 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. 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. 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 , go to MissionTeach.com, or go to Mission Agencies on this web site.
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 who work for them, including teachers.
