Pitt County Schools has an international teacher program that during the 2023-2024 school year includes 77 teachers from 16 nations. These teachers are from Argentina, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Philippines, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The program has teachers at 22 schools in Pitt County this school year including at A.G. Cox, Ayden Grifton HS, Ayden Elementary, Ayden Middle, Belvoir, C.M. Eppes, Elmhurst, Falkland, Farmville Middle, G.R. Whitfield, H.B. Sugg, Innovation Early College HS, Lakeforest, North Pitt HS, Northwest, Pactolus, Pitt Academy, South Central HS, Stokes, Wahl-Coates, Wellcome, and W.H. Robinson.
In the 2022 – 2023 school year PCS officially began offering monthly support/professional development meetings specifically for international teachers facilitated by Beth Ulffers, Director of Outreach and Public Relations. Prior to the 2023 – 2024 school year PCS expanded that support system into a comprehensive program. PCS created a new role, Talent Acquisition Coordinator and Clinton Todd currently serves in that role. Mr. Todd serves as the primary contact for the International Teacher Program alongside the HR team, Beth Ulffers, PCS International Teacher Advisory Council, and many other PCS employees contributing to its continued development and success. Most of the international teachers that are a part of the program arrive through agencies that help facilitate visas and travel arrangements. When joining the district in this manner, international teachers work under three-year contracts, with an option to renew and extend those contracts at the mutual discretion of both the teacher and the school system. A small number of international teachers may have joined the district through spouse-sponsored visas or through independent means. All international teachers may remain in the program in some capacity for the duration of their time in Pitt County.
While international teachers are experienced educators in their home nation, they may face challenges related to getting settled in a new place with a limited personal support system, learning new technology and platforms, and navigating cultural differences. Prior to arrival, the HR department and school principals are extensively involved in the teacher interview and licensure approval process. Mr. Glen Buck, Director of Personnel with Pitt County Schools, has a central role in facilitating and processing qualified candidates. Mr. Todd serves as the primary international teacher support upon arrival and throughout the year as well as coordinating short-term volunteers to help with transportation, ensures that suitable housing has been arranged, assists with distributing donated furniture and supplies, shares resources for teachers to connect with the community (banking, medical care, recreation, pertinent businesses, etc.) and acts as the first point of contact for any other needs that may arise. When newly arriving, PCS international teachers may only have with them their luggage, experience as a proven educator, and adventurous enthusiasm. Building life anew in a foreign land can be challenging and it is the goal of the program to alleviate as many stressors as possible so that the teacher may bring their best to the students.
There are a variety of ways that PCS supports international teachers that are a part of the program. There are monthly themed development meetings. Previous meetings have focused on building educational networks, panel discussions with experienced international teachers, and classroom management. International teachers are provided with site-based support as needed at their schools. Teachers are recognized for their hard work and leadership through a newly instituted PCS International Teacher of the Month. The district supports cultural enrichment and engagement events planned by the international teachers. A newsletter is used to share resources, updates, highlights, and useful strategies with international teachers and administrators. This school year an International Teacher Advisor Council was formed so that the teachers themselves can inform decisions surrounding their program.
International teachers bring a world of experience to students in Pitt County every day. It is not just education but also cultural experiences embedded in what they do and how they do it. The international teacher program enriches the school district in a variety of ways. How can you help and be engaged? If there are international teachers at your students’ school, get to know those teachers. Give them notes of encouragement and support. Find out if there are any additional resources that are needed in the classroom or where they live. Another way to support international teachers can reach out directly to Mr. Todd (toddc@pitt.k12.nc.us) if interested in donating any supplies or furniture items. Three teachers who are a part of the program shared briefly about their experiences during the PCS Board of Education Meeting on November 6th. Their stories can be accessed using this link – http://go.pittschools.org/livestream
PCS Connect Podcast also recently interviewed Clinton Todd – You can listen to that podcast using this link – https://www.pitt.k12.nc.us/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&ModuleInstanceID=20911&ViewID=E324842B-E4A3-44C3-991A-1E716D4A99E3&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=52347&PageID=1
