School District Administrator Perceptions and Hiring Practices of Teachers Who Participated in International Student Teaching Placements

Abstract

This study investigated school district administrators’ perceptions and hiring practices of teachers who participated in international student teaching experiences. Thirty central office administrators from 12 states across the United States were interviewed. The responses and practices of these administrators and the districts that they represent were compared with the perceptions of student teachers and teachers from previous studies who had student taught abroad. Findings reveal that both teachers and administrators believe that there are a multitude of benefits to international student teaching and that this experience ultimately impacts student learning. While they also believe that such experience should be accounted for in the hiring process, very few districts have a formal way of accounting for international student teaching experiences. Recommendations include how districts might adjust their hiring process to account more specifically for the various of experience that teachers bring to their positions.