Finding Your Perfect Travel Teaching Match: The “Why” Edition
So you’ve decided to become a travel teacher. Excellent choice! (Your student loan debt will thank you… eventually.) But before you start frantically applying to every job posting west of the Mississippi, let’s pump the brakes for one crucial moment.
Here’s the thing: Choosing a contracting company without knowing your “why” is like taking a cross-country road trip without a destination—you’ll end up somewhere, but it might be a very expensive somewhere that serves mostly truck stop coffee.
Your reasons matter because they’ll guide every decision you make. Different companies excel in different areas, and matching your priorities to their strengths means you’ll actually enjoy your adventure instead of just surviving it.
Identify Your “Why”
Financial Goals: Show Me the Money
Dreaming of finally demolishing that student debt? Ready to build a nest egg that doesn’t require you to eat ramen for dinner?
Travel teaching can absolutely make this happen—if you choose wisely.
Here’s the pro tip: Look for companies offering per diem packages that include housing and meal stipends. Yes, the base salary might look slightly lower on paper, but here’s the magic: you’ll take home significantly more each week because you’re paying less in taxes. It’s like finding money you didn’t know you had.
Action: Browse job listings on company websites and head straight to the benefits section. Compare their stipend packages side-by-side. Your future self will appreciate the spreadsheet you make right now.
Adventure Calling: The Wanderlust Factor
Itching to explore corners of the country you’ve only seen on a map? Desperate to escape your hometown before you accidentally run into your high school ex at the grocery store for the third time?
Travel teaching is your golden ticket.
Here’s what to do: Search through job listings and note which states each company covers. Some companies blanket the entire nation with opportunities, while others focus on specific regions. If you’re dreaming of the Pacific Northwest, you don’t want to end up with a company that only places teachers in the Southeast (unless that’s your jam, no judgment).
Action: Visit each company’s website and scope out their geographic reach. Ask yourself: Will this company actually send me where I want to go?
Support Systems: Your Recruiter is Your Person
Here’s something nobody tells you: your recruiter is basically your lifeline for the entire experience. They’re your cheerleader, problem-solver, and the person who’ll answer your panicked questions about contract details.
So choose wisely. A recruiter with genuine knowledge and responsiveness can transform your entire experience. A vague recruiter who doesn’t know the answers? That’s a red flag the size of Texas.
Personal story: I called three different companies before deciding. Some recruiters couldn’t answer basic questions or gave me that dreaded “I’ll get back to you” response (they didn’t). The company I ultimately chose? Their recruiter was knowledgeable, friendly, and made me feel like an actual person, not just a commission. That made all the difference.
Action: Call recruiters at companies you’re considering. Ask specific questions. Pay attention to how they make you feel. If you’re comfortable with them, you’ve found a winner.
Career Growth: Level Up Your Teaching
Beyond just collecting new passport stamps, are you hungry to expand your teaching toolkit? Do you want to learn fresh methodologies and strategies from different school systems?
This matters more than you might think.
Here’s the catch: If a company only places teachers in one geographic region, you’ll see similar teaching approaches everywhere you go. Variety breeds innovation. Conversely, if you’re eyeing remote teaching opportunities, make sure the company actually offers them—many specialize exclusively in in-person positions.
Action: Investigate what types of positions each company offers and the geographic diversity of their placements. Ask: Will I actually learn something new, or will I be repeating the same year over and over?
Personal Development: Breaking Out of Your Bubble
This one’s a little different from career growth. It’s about you—about pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone and discovering who you are when you’re not surrounded by your entire support system.
Real talk: That’s both exciting and terrifying.
If you’ve spent your whole life in one region, moving across the country is a big step. Consider starting somewhere closer to home so you can visit family during breaks without a cross-country flight. As you build confidence, you can venture further out.
Action: Search job listings in areas within a few hours of your home base. Build your travel teaching confidence gradually. You’ve got this.
The Licensing Plot Twist (Don’t Skip This!)
Here’s where a lot of excited future travel teachers get blindsided: most school districts won’t interview you without proof that you’ve applied for a teaching license in their state.
Yep, even if a contracting company is willing to help, the school district itself often requires evidence that you’ve started the licensing process.
The good news? Many states have reciprocity agreements. If you hold a license in one state, you can often transfer it to another by submitting your original license, completing fingerprinting, and providing transcripts. Some states also ask for proof of teaching experience.
Pro move: Research the states you’re interested in and visit their teacher licensing websites. Here’s what you need to know:
- Fast-track states: Colorado, Oregon, and South Carolina process applications relatively quickly and are perfect for getting started.
- Also speedy: Arizona moves fast, but requires fingerprint cards (which adds a few weeks for mailing).
- The marathon: California. Beautiful state, amazing opportunities, six-month processing time. They also want more documentation than a mortgage application. Plan accordingly if this is your dream destination.
- The shortcut: States with digital fingerprinting process applications faster than those requiring physical fingerprint cards.
Action: Identify 1-2 states you’re genuinely interested in and start your licensing applications now. Don’t wait. Future you will be grateful.
Real Talk: How I Chose My Company
I called recruiters at three different companies and had some honest conversations about what I was looking for. My priorities? Support, financial incentives, and adventure.
I wanted to teach out West again, and I needed a company that had serious placement opportunities in that region. I also wanted a recruiter who actually knew their stuff and made me feel supported. (Is that too much to ask? Apparently not—I found it!)
I chose AYA Education, and one year later, I signed on for year two. Best decision I could’ve made.
Companies Worth Your Time
Here are some solid contracting companies to investigate:
- Amergis Educational Staffing
- AYA Education — Here’s my recruiter’s link
- Cross Country Education
- Soliant Education
- Sunbelt Staffing
There are plenty of others out there too. Do your homework: browse their job listings, compare benefits, read reviews from actual staff members online. The right fit is out there—you just have to find it.
Next Steps
You know your “why.” You’ve started your licensing. You’ve narrowed down companies.
Ready for the next adventure? Up next: Getting ready for interviews. (Spoiler: recruiters are way less intimidating than you think.)
