New Resource: International Teaching Families — For Teachers Abroad with Kids

At Wondering Staffroom, we’re always on the lookout for honest, practical, and community-driven resources for teachers working (or considering working) overseas. 

That’s why we’re featuring a new site that’s designed especially for international teachers - and their families - International Teaching Families.

Created by Kelly Quinn, a trailing spouse, mum of three school-aged children, and marketing and comms freelancer, International Teaching Families (ITF) fills a gap in the international education world: real information for teachers with families.

What the site offers

A lot of online information about teaching internationally focuses on individual educators. But if you're bringing kids or a non-teaching partner, there’s usually a lot more to consider - and a lot more pressure to find the right school that works for the entire family.

That’s where ITF comes in. The site offers real experiences from families already on the circuit, not just recruitment promises.

Whether you're:

- A teacher with a family weighing up your next post,

- A non-teaching partner considering what life might look like in another part of the world

- A teacher thinking about making your first move overseas with a family 

This site is for you. 

What You’ll Find

Honest, family-focused school reviews

The site features anonymous reviews from real teaching families currently working in international schools worldwide. Each profile gives you info about:

• - Tuition benefits for kids

• - Housing allowances and stipends (or lack of)

• - Work-life balance at the school

• - Support from leadership (and leadership stability)

• - What it’s like for non-working spouses and kids

• - School and community culture, and more

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Some schools receive glowing feedback and five stars. While others just don’t seem to be set up for families. It doesn’t mean they’re necessarily poor schools to work at - but they may not be the right fit for everyone in your family. 

Country profiles
Discover detailed guides to living in places (like South Korea and Malaysia), written through a family lens. Find out about the cost of living (on one or two salaries), safety, healthcare quality and access, what it’s like for kids (how easy it is to make friends, things to do on the weekends etc).

Personal stories
Hear from experienced teachers with families who are, or have, navigated the ups and downs, challenges and benefits of international education. 

Resources and tips
From what to pack (and what not to) to navigating school applications, and finding housing with enough space for big families. Kelly is working on creating helpful content for families to help them settle overseas, including topics like:

• Health insurance and maternity care abroad

• - School visa policies for dependents

• - Retirement and pension planning

• - Working online as a trailing spouse

• - What benefits can you expect as an international teacher

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Why We’re Sharing It

It’s brilliant to see a platform that gives voice to the global teaching community in such a thoughtful and family-focused way. In almost 10 years working on the international circuit, we’ve not seen anything quite like what ITF is trying to do.

The site is building a space for teachers and non-working spouses to connect, share their experiences, and hopefully make better-informed decisions about moving overseas with a family.

Whether you're already on the circuit or just testing the waters, we think it’s worth checking out.

Kelly’s also gathering insights on schools, so if you’ve got your own international teaching story to share (especially with kids in tow), get in touch with her via the site to find out more.