How to Stand Out as a Teaching Family: Tips from Top International Recruiters

If you’re thinking about applying for international school roles as a teaching family, it can be hard to know the best approach. Whether you’re a teaching couple, or you’ve got a non-teaching spouse and kids, knowing how to put your best foot forward when applying is essential. 

If you’ve never applied at an international school, you’ve probably also got lots of questions. For example, do schools prefer single teachers? Are they reluctant to take on multiple dependents? Should you apply together or separately if you’re a couple? And what can you do to make your application stand out when you’re a teaching family?

To find out the answers to these questions and more, we spoke to several Teacher Horizons International Advisers.

Teacher Horizons is a trusted platform connecting educators and schools around the world. They work directly with schools and candidates across many destinations, and have generously shared their advice on how teaching families can best present themselves in a competitive market.

Here’s what they had to say.

Should Couples Apply Together or Separately?

How best to apply as a teacher couple really depends on the circumstances. “It definitely depends on the school, its vacancies, and the situation”, says one Adviser.

But generally, here are some of the main things to consider when applying:

• If there are two suitable roles, apply together and make sure you indicate you’re making a joint application.
• If only one position fits, the relevant partner should apply, but make sure to include that your partner is also a teacher (and mention their subject speciality). You never know what other vacancies may become available in the future – and a lot can come down to timing.
• Always be honest about your family situation – even if you’re applying separately. 

One adviser added, “It’s also worth telling the school if your partner is flexible about what they teach, or if they’re open to working in separate schools within the same city. Schools often have connections and may be able to help.”

How Can Families With Dependents Stand Out?

While dependents can add complexity to a hire, they don’t have to be a deal breaker.

“If the teaching couple is strong – with excellent references, flexibility, and aligned values – schools often find ways to accommodate dependents,” the advisers noted.

And while it’s certainly easier if you’re a teaching couple, it’s not impossible to find a great role at a top school with a non-teaching spouse.

Ideally, kids will have international experience, with good report cards and references from previous teachers. This can show that the kids will bring value to the school community too – as well as the teacher applying.

It’s also essential to do your research and be willing to make compromises:

• Mention any additional learning or behavioural support needs from the outset.
• Be open-minded about school types and locations – many mid-tier schools are sometimes underestimated but offer excellent value and support for families.
• Understand that teacher benefits vary and not all schools can cover multiple children.

“A school may still offer a fantastic opportunity for your family even if you need to cover part of the tuition or housing costs yourself. Try to weight up the experience you’ll have versus short term savings, assuming it’s financially viable for your situation,” one adviser suggested.

What Makes a Family Application Stand Out?

The team at Teacher Horizons say the strongest applications should typically include:

• A joint cover letter (if applying as a teaching couple) expressing strong motivation to work overseas, shared values and an alignment (and good understanding) of the school’s ethos.
• Evidence of complementary skills or subject areas.
• A clear understanding of the realities of international school life – and evidence that you’ve done your research about the school and its location.
• Consideration of how you’ll integrate personally, not just professionally.

“We love seeing couples and families who’ve thought about their lifestyle outside of school. For example, if they love hiking and spending time outdoors, have they considered if they can continue this lifestyle in the location they’re applying to? Have they lived abroad before and shown flexibility and adaptability? These things really matter to schools – and also ensure that teaching families can feel part of the wider community.”

And perhaps most importantly: “Families tend to stay longer than single candidates – that’s a big plus for schools. But to thrive and stay, teaching families need to make sure the lifestyle genuinely works for them.”

Talking to people already at the school to see how they transitioned can be a great way to get a better understanding of the school – and the location. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid as a Teaching Family

The advisers at Teacher Horizons say there’s a few things to avoid if you’re a teaching couple when applying to international schools.

• Assuming a second role will be created for your partner. “This should never be presented as an expectation,” one said. Where you can, clarify your partner’s subject area, availability, and willingness to consider roles nearby or in a support capacity. That way schools can make informed decisions and understand upfront what you’re looking for as a family.
• Failing to research school capacity or benefits for dependents – every school is different. There may be no capacity available for your kids, or the make up of students may be primarily local – making it an incredibly challenging environment for your kids if they don’t speak the local language. Understanding cost implications is also essential – can you afford to live there if you need to pay some or all tuition for your kids?
• Not disclosing key information about support needs or financial expectations until late in the process.

“The more open and prepared a family is, the better chance they have of being supported in return. Ask early, be clear and realistic in your expectations”.

What Are Schools Really Looking For?

Resilience, adaptability, and prior international experience go a long way.

“Schools want to know the whole family will be happy. If not, there’s a chance the teacher won’t fulfil their contract” said one International Adviser. 

Qualities that schools value in teaching families include:

• Resilience – Can you all handle the ups and downs of living overseas?
• Flexibility – Are you open to adapting professionally and personally?
• Cultural openness – Have you travelled or lived abroad before? Are you realistic about what its actually like to live overseas and work at an international school?
• Family fit – Will your children thrive in this environment? Have you thought about different curriculums, friendships, and language?

Showing evidence of prior travel or international teaching experience in a similar environment is really beneficial. Another big consideration is how easily children will adapt, especially teenagers.

While younger children are often more adaptable (and can have a smoother transition), older kids (especially teens) may face more challenges adjusting socially, academically, or linguistically. Curriculum differences, adapting to a new style of teaching and exam years can be tricky for older kids. Fees also come into play unfortunately – with the cost of tuition increasing in secondary years. 

It’s important to consider how you’ll transition into a new setting. For example, if you’ve got hobbies/passions, can you continue these in a new location? Will you be close to like minded people to create a social network?

One piece of advice: “Consider the type of school you’re applying to. Truly international schools (rather than bilingual schools) may be better suited to families new to the country or language.”

Can Non-Teaching Spouses Add Value to the School Community?

“The inclusion of spouses in the community really matters,” one adviser shared. “Happy spouses equal happy teachers.”

Ensuring that the spouses can connect, have somewhere to meet and are included in the school community can make a huge difference. “When onboarding a new teacher, schools should think about offering a buddy for the spouse too,” they suggest. “It helps everyone feel welcome.”

It’s about being proactive – from the school and the family. If your partner isn’t a teacher, think about what they can do to make sure they feel connected to the community.

For example, helping with support community outreach programs, coaching sporting teams or being involved in other school wide initiatives. If your partner is financially self-sufficient (eg. works remotely) it can be a plus to mention this so that schools understand your financial situation upfront.

“I knew one travelling spouse who had an exceptional career in anti-slavery campaigning. She helped the school examine its supply chains and worked to improve sustainability in the school, including uniforms and partnering local eco projects.”

Find a location that is not just a good match in terms of school, but also where you can happily live. International teaching isn’t just about a job, but a lifestyle. All members of your family need to be happy to make it work. 

Final Advice for First-Time Teaching Families

If you’re applying with multiple dependents, make sure you’re transparent, flexible and open about your family and your priorities.

“Don’t just try to recreate your current life with more money. Think about what kind of lifestyle will genuinely work for your family – and build your school search from there.”

Other practical tips from the Teacher Horizons team:

• Do your homework – research is key when making such a big decision, as is being flexible and open minded. Make a Plan A, B, and C for your top locations and schools you want to prioritise.
• Budget realistically for that list – what can you actually afford, especially if you need to cover additional costs (like tuition for multiple kids).
• Talk openly with your kids – and involve them in the process. The more involved they are, the more likely they are to be excited and curious – and buy into the move.
• Be prepared to cover costs – if you have more dependents than a school typically covers as part of its teaching benefits, be prepared to cover costs. Think about costs like insurance, flights, tuition fees (even partial fees can add up), or contributing extra to housing costs for a larger house or apartment. Or consider alternative school options.
• Be honest about your priorities in your application – especially if you’re willing to take on extra expenses. This can help ensure your application isn’t overlooked because you’ve got dependents.
• Utilise community support – There are lots of Facebook groups available specific to teachers or particular countries that can give you real-life insight and help you build your network early.

Wrap Up: Teaching Family Tips

Teaching families can be a huge asset to international schools.

Families often stay longer than single teachers, and invest in their community, which is something many international schools value. With the right approach, transparency, and flexibility, you can present your teaching family as a great package that brings long-term value to a school community.

A huge thank you to the Teacher Horizons International Advisers for sharing their time and insights with us!