5 Questions with Dr Stephanie Williams-Britton

Stephanie Williams-Britton is not only an educator but an international one. After realizing that education was her true passion, she set off on a journey to mould young minds across the seas, as she decided to teach abroad. Having experienced a less-than-positive transition as an international teacher herself, she decided to help other international teachers have a much better experience than she did. Thus, Aid for International Teachers (AFIT) and I Love International Teachers (ILIT) was born. Stephanie encourages teachers to become international educators (exceptional groups of people). Though the rewards are sure to be fulfilling, she understands how complex the process may be. Her aim is to help others overcome these difficulties and move forward in exploring the cultural wonderland that is the world.

Tell a little about your educational journey.

We are well aware that one’s educational journey starts long before the day they’re born, so when I reflect on my educational journey, I go as far back as my basic school years. Too often these experiences are not highlighted, yet they are the backbone of our academic development and journey. I started attending Denham Town Basic at the early age of two. From there I went on to attend St. Anne’s Infant, and later St. Anne’s Primary school. After sitting the long-forgotten Common Entrance Exams, I was placed at Tivoli Gardens Comprehensive High School. Dunoon Technical High School was my next stop, as I craved more schooling. Though my journey sounds “technical”, I must lament how crucial those institutions were in allowing me to build a strong educational foundation. St. Joseph’s Teachers’ College provided me with professional training as I completed my teaching diploma and a bachelor’s degree. Being the advocate for our future generation of students and the lifelong learner that I am, I went on to gain my master’s from Western Carolina University, and then my doctorate from the American College of Education. My educational journey is never-ending, as I learn something new every day.

What inspired you to teach abroad and how have these experiences shaped your personal and professional growth?

My need to experience other cultures and explore how educational systems across the globe cater to the future generation of children inspired me to teach abroad. I believe that every educator should have the opportunity to experience life outside of their comfort zone to be knowledgeable about different cultures, which will promote culturally relevant pedagogy in their classroom environment. My experiences from teaching abroad have contributed greatly to my personal and professional growth, as I have come to realize that everyone and every culture is unique and can contribute positively to our own countries.

How do you use your presence on social media to inspire other educators?

Teachers from across the globe can be inspired by the wealth of information shared on my various social media accounts. The information ranges from my personal experience teaching abroad to assisting teachers considering teaching internationally to presenting live interviews with guest educators sharing international experiences with our social media community. Many educators from various countries such as Ghana, Bangladesh, Bahamas and, of course, Jamaica have shared their testimonies of obtaining international teaching positions with the help of my social media platform.

Share about your one-profit organization and your “I Love International Teachers” brand, their impact, and how educators worldwide support these initiatives.

Aid for International Teachers (AFIT) is a non-profit organization that was created to assist international teachers and their families travelling to the United States with settling into their new communities and classrooms, as well as with social services covered under the organization. This organization was born after I experienced a very negative transition as an international teacher myself. Though AFIT is still in its early phases, I am optimistic that it will provide the needed guidance and assistance to international educators in the United States.

I Love International Teachers (ILIT) is a specialized brand that was created for international teachers, and it has impacted them positively. It is a known fact that teachers across the globe are unique and talented. International teachers, though, surpass this uniqueness. “It takes a big heart to teach little minds,” is a quote that I am sure you have heard before. It takes an even bigger heart, motivation, and determination for a teacher to travel thousands of miles away to teach children from different cultural backgrounds while learning a new way of life. Starting a new chapter as an educator is in no way an easy task. Fueled by my passion for international teachers and a need for them to show how proud they are of what they have accomplished, I created ILIT. Through this brand, international teachers can be proud of their experiences while showing how unique they truly are. Teachers across the globe can support ILIT by simply promoting the ILIT brand, which includes several products and apparel (Items can be seen on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube under the username kickingwithdrbritton).

Give one piece of advice to educators who desire to become international educators.

One piece of advice that I always give to my community of educators interested in teaching abroad is that they must first be open-minded and flexible in all their decisions as international teachers. I would never tell prospective international teachers that the journey is easy or that it’s a walk in the park because it is challenging. It can become frustrating and overwhelming. However, it is also very rewarding and will provide a sense of satisfaction knowing that you have experienced teaching internationally and have explored different cultures in your classroom. So, to my prospective or aspiring international teachers, open-mindedness and flexibility are key factors to your success as an international educator.

For more information on ILIT reach out to me on IG, Facebook, or YouTube @kickingwithdrbritton. Aid for International Teachers (AFIT) can be found on Facebook and Twitter.