International Teachers in the USA: Navigating Classroom Challenges Through Cultural Adaptation and Professional Development

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@article{1710376,
      author = {Zvisineyi Kandodo},
      title = {International Teachers in the USA: Navigating Classroom Challenges Through Cultural Adaptation and Professional Development},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2025},
      volume = {9},
      number = {3},
      pages = {34-41},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1710376.pdf},
      abstract = {It's increasingly common to see internationally educated teachers (IETs) working in the United States of America, and in most cases, this offers a promising avenue when addressing nationwide teacher shortages. However, this is a multifaceted situation; generally speaking, it requires well-considered and organized support frameworks. Many districts in the USA find themselves facing critical staffing shortages, particularly within special education, STEM fields, and bilingual education. Consequently, these districts have increasingly relied on IETs to maintain instructional continuity (Carver-Thomas, 2018). These teachers often bring significant international viewpoints, diverse personal experiences, and in-depth knowledge of their subject matter. This can enrich the learning environment and foster intercultural understanding among students (Shin et al., 2020). Despite this, the reality for many IETs includes numerous hurdles, like adapting to new teaching methods and cultural norms, navigating language barriers, and a perceived lack of support from their institutions (Collins, 2019; Hutchison & Jazzar, 2021). To ensure IETs thrive within the USA system, what's needed are comprehensive induction programs, mentoring, and culturally sensitive preparation. Without these kinds of support, their retention and effectiveness are often undermined (Cerna, 2019). This research aims to improve our understanding of how schools might better assist international teachers. Ultimately, the aim is to capitalize on their skills to enhance diversity in education and overcome critical staffing problems.},
      keywords = {International Educated Teachers (IET), Cultural Adaptation, Classroom Management, Teacher Integration, Cross-Cultural Education},
      month = {September},
  }