Wendy Novotny grew up in a small rural town in southern Manitoba, where career options often seemed limited. While neither farming nor nursing appealed to her, teaching felt like a natural fit. She enjoyed working with young people and had a passion for languages—interests that would ultimately lead her to an exciting international career.
After earning her education degree with a major in French and a minor in English, Wendy “happily” accepted her first teaching position near Vancouver, British Columbia. She later moved to Calgary before returning to Manitoba, where she continued to expand her professional expertise by completing a post-baccalaureate degree in counseling and a master’s degree in inclusion.
Looking back at her 20 years in education, Wendy sees a common thread:
Clearly, I enjoy learning and experiencing new things. It had long been my dream to teach abroad and once my kids started university and I started to research teaching abroad, I quickly realized that my qualifications allowed me to explore the international school option, which was a welcome surprise.
For Wendy, international education offered an opportunity to combine professional growth with a long-held desire to experience life abroad. She was particularly drawn to the high standards and collaborative culture she found within international schools.
I decided to pursue international teaching because of the level of integrity in the schools and the high expectations of the professional staff and the students, she says.
As Wendy explored opportunities, one name consistently appeared in her research: Search Associates (SEARCH). Intrigued by the organization's reputation and support for educators, Wendy decided to register.
Direct support from Gary MacPhie, who answered my emails promptly, allowed me to complete my profile which included a resume, abuse and criminal checks as well as copies of my degrees and a biography in a timely manner. I was then able to register for the Toronto Job Fair. To become a SEARCH member is very valuable, and the cost was extremely reasonable considering all the well-executed support they offered from the beginning of my profile creation to my acceptance of an offer. The SEARCH account and dashboard clearly details the activation requirements, and the available positions and makes navigating options for vetted schools extremely easy.
As she began researching schools around the world, Wendy made full use of the resources available through SEARCH. She logged onto the platform several times each day, exploring schools, locations, and open positions. One feature quickly became a favorite: the Vacancy Matches function allowed her to identify positions that aligned with her experience and qualifications. From there, she could learn more about each school and community, helping her narrow her search and make informed decisions about potential opportunities.
In February, Wendy attended the Search Associates Toronto Job Fair. Thanks to the Zoom information sessions hosted by Barbara and Gary MacPhie before the event, she arrived feeling confident and prepared. The experience exceeded her expectations.
There had been an international school conference the week before in Toronto, so there were around 60 international schools represented at the fair. I knew what to expect and therefore used my time very effectively and was able to secure nine interviews over the two days of the fair and several for the following week once I returned home. Despite it being overwhelming and exhausting at times, I would certainly attend a fair again.
The fair proved to be a pivotal moment in Wendy’s international teaching search. Within a week, she received several offers. Ultimately, she accepted a position as Middle Years Counselor in Grand Cayman. Her interest in the school began during a 30-minute information session at the Toronto fair. After conducting additional research on both the school and the island, she carefully weighed her options before making her decision.
I knew it was the right choice for me as it lends to the type of lifestyle I want to have, and the position was a perfect fit as it was the job I had been doing for the last three years, so I was confident in my abilities.
Another important factor was the location’s proximity to home. As Wendy prepared for her first overseas teaching appointment, being able to stay connected with family and friends remained an important consideration.
Today, Wendy is preparing for an exciting new chapter in Grand Cayman, where she will bring her counseling expertise, passion for learning, and enthusiasm for new experiences to an international school community.
For educators considering their own move overseas, Wendy’s advice is straightforward:
Contact the Associate assigned to your region and follow their guidance. I would also research the schools and where they are located on the SEARCH website.
For educators who are eager to grow professionally, experience a new culture, and become part of a global learning community, Wendy Novotny’s experience offers an inspiring reminder that it is never too late to pursue the opportunity you've been considering for years.
