ITP - 38: International Teacher Consulting with JP Mint

Kent: Hey, welcome to the International Teacher Podcast. I’m Kent, the cat guy, and I’m here today with Greg, the single guy. Matt’s not here today—he’s getting ready to travel—but we do have a fantastic guest. Greg, who do we have today?

Greg: I’m going to let her introduce herself because she’s been overseas for about 20 years. She probably should be doing this podcast instead of us.

Jacqueline: I don’t think so, but thank you for the glowing recommendation. Having listened to a number of episodes, there’s no way I could do this professionally—or even amateurly, if that’s a word.

My name is Jacqueline Malay, and I’m an international teacher consultant for JPMint Consulting, which is just a fancy term for my own business. I help teachers update their CVs and cover letters, meet with them on video calls, and advise them on their next steps in the international teaching circuit. After 20 years, I feel like I have some experience to share, and I’m really happy to be here.

Greg: Great. Thank you for joining us. I noticed on your website, jpmintconsulting.com—you’ve got a couple of master’s degrees. Can you tell us a little bit about your educational background?

Jacqueline: Yes. My first master’s was actually paid for by one of the international schools I worked at. That’s one of the big reasons to go overseas—you might find a school that will support your further education.

That degree was from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 2006. I studied French, which led to some interesting experiences going through customs on a J visa as a Canadian. Officers would ask why I was studying French in California, and it always confused them.

One summer, I was held for extra screening because I had been traveling back and forth from Istanbul. After some questioning, they eventually let me through, and I continued on to UCSB.

My second master’s was self-funded but also international. I completed it through The College of New Jersey (TCNJ). They run summer programs where teachers from around the world come together, and professors teach on borrowed campuses.

I pursued educational leadership so I could move into administration. That was around 2016.

Greg: That’s a great point about getting your master’s overseas. Some schools even bring programs directly to campus.

Kent: I actually got my master’s before I entered the classroom, which might have been a bit early. Experience helps, but I really enjoyed it.

Jacqueline: That’s great. And yes, international schools often provide opportunities like that—it’s a huge benefit.

Kent: I’ve had some interesting airport experiences too. Once they talk to you for a bit, they realize you’re harmless and let you through.

Jacqueline: Exactly. If you travel frequently, they just want to understand why.

Greg: I remember being flagged once and getting pulled aside at every airport. It was a long trip.

Jacqueline: It’s unsettling when that happens. You start wondering what you did wrong, but usually it’s just your travel pattern.

Greg: Jacqueline, you’re clearly passionate about international teaching. What else are you doing to spread the word about it?

Jacqueline: I really see it as a labor of love. Like Greg says, it’s the best-kept secret in education. I wish more teachers knew about it before committing to long-term careers in one place.

In Ontario, for example, teachers can feel locked into a system because of strong retirement benefits. I call them golden handcuffs—you wait decades to enjoy life.

I want people to know there’s another path. Even trying a two-year contract overseas can completely change your perspective. That’s what happened to me.

When I first arrived in Istanbul, I saw my schedule and noticed all this open space. They told me it was prep time. I had three or four prep periods a day, which was completely different from my experience back home.

It made me realize how much teachers are valued overseas—for their expertise and professionalism.

I actually called the head of school who hired me and thanked him. I told him that if I hadn’t taken that leap, I would never have discovered this world of international teaching.

It’s not about being a backpacker—it’s about being appreciated and sharing your knowledge with students around the world.

Greg: That’s powerful.

Greg: I want to highlight your website because it’s packed with useful information. You’ve got webinars, blog posts, and resources for teachers at all stages.

Jacqueline: Thank you. I try to update it regularly. At first, I was posting tips every week, but now it’s more like every couple of weeks because client work takes priority.

I include short tips about CVs, cover letters, and recruiting, as well as links to helpful resources—like your podcast, Facebook groups, and other platforms teachers are using.

Greg: I saw that you explained the name JPMint on your site. Can you tell us about that?

Jacqueline: Yes, it’s simple. JP are my initials, and “mint” comes from “international.” I wanted something memorable.

Greg: It works. It sounds like a brand.

Kent: When people reach out to you, what kind of teachers are you working with?

Jacqueline: Surprisingly, most of my clients are experienced international teachers. They already have strong backgrounds, but they feel their CVs are outdated or not standing out.

They want to refresh their documents and position themselves for better opportunities.

I love working with them because they’re already strong candidates. With a bit of polishing, they can really shine.

At the same time, I’m also excited to work with newer teachers. I currently have one client who’s fairly new, and I’m guiding her through the process step by step.

I’m basically holding her hand through everything—helping her avoid common mistakes and make smart choices about schools.

Greg: That’s exactly the kind of support people need.

Jacqueline: I wish I had someone like that when I started. There were no resources back then—no websites, no guides. You just figured it out as you went.

Greg: Same here. I learned about recruiting fairs and organizations like Search Associates after I had already started.

Jacqueline: Exactly. Now there are so many more resources—websites, podcasts, online communities. It’s much easier to get started if you know where to look.

Greg: You mentioned earlier that you moved into administration. Can you tell us about that transition?

Jacqueline: It’s a tough jump. I had a great mentor who warned me that moving into administration would mean starting over in some ways.

As a teacher, you build experience and move up. But when you enter administration, you’re back at the bottom of a new ladder.

I took on different roles to build that experience—dean of students, head of boarding, and eventually vice principal.

At one point, I even created my own position by combining roles. I worked afternoons and evenings, focusing on student life and boarding.

It was challenging but incredibly valuable experience.

Greg: That’s impressive.

Jacqueline: Eventually, I became a vice principal, but during COVID, I had to leave China due to a family situation and couldn’t return.

I lost that position, which was difficult, but it led me to new opportunities. I found my current role in Mexico through networking and social media.

Greg: That’s a great example of how unpredictable this career can be.

Jacqueline: Exactly. You have to stay flexible and open to change.

Greg: One thing I really like that you mentioned is that teachers are an investment for schools. That’s something we talk about a lot.

Jacqueline: Absolutely. Schools invest a lot in hiring international teachers, so they want to make sure they’re bringing in the right people—and keeping them.

Retention is just as important as hiring. If schools have constant turnover every two years, it’s hard to build strong programs.

Greg: That lack of continuity really affects curriculum and culture.

Jacqueline: Exactly. And it can also lead to burnout among local staff, who end up retraining new teachers over and over again.

Greg: Let me ask you this—you’ve been in international education for over 20 years. How do you stay so positive about it?

Jacqueline: I think it’s just a mindset. I truly believe this is what more teachers should experience.

Living and working overseas brings people together. You learn about different cultures, languages, and perspectives. It expands your worldview in ways that are hard to describe.

When I see news from a country I’ve lived in, I don’t just see headlines—I think about the people I know there.

Greg: That’s a powerful connection.

Jacqueline: It really is. It makes the world feel smaller and more connected.

Kent: Let’s say someone reaches out to you who’s interested in international teaching. What do you look for?

Jacqueline: The first thing is a teaching qualification. That’s non-negotiable if you want to work at quality international schools.

If someone doesn’t have a teaching degree, I’ll point them in the right direction, but I can’t take them on as a client.

Schools also typically want at least two years of experience, though there are exceptions for strong candidates.

Greg: That makes sense.

Jacqueline: Once someone has that foundation, we can start working on their CV, cover letter, and overall strategy.

Greg: It’s amazing how much easier it is now compared to when we started.

Jacqueline: Yes, there are so many more resources—websites, podcasts, online communities. Even platforms like Reddit have active groups for international teachers.

Greg: That’s new for me.

Jacqueline: It’s actually quite useful. People share advice, ask questions, and support each other. It’s another way to connect with the community.

Greg: Let me ask you this—after 20 years, do you think international teaching is becoming more well-known?

Jacqueline: Honestly, not as much as you’d think. Many people still assume it’s just teaching English abroad.

They don’t realize the level of professionalism, the quality of schools, and the career opportunities available.

I would love to see universities do a better job of introducing this pathway to new teachers.

Greg: That would make a huge difference.

Jacqueline: It really would. There’s a whole world out there that many teachers don’t even know exists.

Greg: I think part of that is that universities are still focused on feeding teachers into local systems.

Jacqueline: Yes, exactly. They’re preparing teachers for domestic roles, not necessarily international ones.

Greg: And not everyone is ready to leave home. It takes a certain mindset.

Jacqueline: It does, but it doesn’t take a special kind of person. That’s something I really want to emphasize.

We’re not superheroes. We’re not extreme risk-takers. We’re just teachers who are open to new experiences.

Greg: That’s an important distinction.

Jacqueline: You don’t need to speak multiple languages or have some extraordinary background. You just need to be open-minded and willing to learn.

If you’re a lifelong learner, this is an amazing path.

Greg: That’s a great way to put it.

Kent: I think one thing people need to understand is that you still have to love teaching. No matter where you are, the job is still the job.

Jacqueline: Absolutely. You still have to get up in the morning, go to school, and do your job. The difference is in the environment and the opportunities around you.

Greg: And the experience outside the classroom.

Jacqueline: Exactly. Even something as simple as going to the grocery store can be an adventure when you’re in a new country.

You’re learning every day, whether it’s in the classroom or in your daily life.

Greg: That’s one of the best parts of this lifestyle.

Jacqueline: It really is. You find joy in small things and appreciate the experience of living somewhere new.

Greg: Let’s talk about practical advice. If someone is applying for jobs, what’s one key thing they should focus on?

Jacqueline: Keep your CV simple and clear. Avoid over-designing it with too many colors, fonts, or graphics.

From an administrative perspective, we want to quickly see your qualifications, experience, and how to contact you.

Also, include a bit about who you are outside of teaching. Schools are hiring a person, not just a teacher.

Greg: That’s a great point.

Jacqueline: And don’t forget the basics—your passport information, your experience, and your interests. Make it easy for recruiters to find what they need.

Greg: That’s solid advice.

Kent: I think that’s really helpful, especially for people who are just getting started.

Jacqueline: Yes, and I would also say don’t underestimate the importance of the cover letter. A lot of people just repeat their CV in paragraph form, and that’s a mistake.

The cover letter should highlight who you are, why you’re interested in the school, and what makes you a good fit.

Greg: That’s something a lot of people get wrong.

Jacqueline: Exactly. It’s your chance to make a connection before the interview.

Kent: Do you find that people get nervous during the process?

Jacqueline: All the time. Even experienced teachers feel anxious about applying, interviewing, and putting themselves out there.

But that’s normal. It’s a big step, and you’re being evaluated in a very direct way.

Greg: I’ve definitely felt that.

Jacqueline: The key is preparation. If your CV and cover letter are strong, you’re much more likely to get an interview. And once you’re in the interview, that’s where teachers really shine.

Greg: Because that’s what we do—we communicate.

Jacqueline: Exactly. We’re used to connecting with people, explaining ideas, and building relationships. That comes across in interviews.

Kent: That makes sense.

Jacqueline: I’ve seen many candidates who don’t get interviews, but when they do, they often get offers because they present themselves so well.

Greg: That’s encouraging.

Jacqueline: It is. You just need to get your foot in the door.

Greg: Before we wrap up, any final advice for teachers thinking about going overseas?

Jacqueline: Keep an open mind and be willing to take a risk. You don’t have to be extraordinary—you just have to be curious and willing to learn.

If you love teaching and want to experience something new, this could be the best decision you ever make.

Greg: That’s a great way to end.

Greg: Jacqueline, thank you so much for joining us. This has been a fantastic conversation.

Jacqueline: Thank you so much for having me. I really enjoyed it.

Kent: And for everyone listening, we’ll see you next time on the International Teacher Podcast.

Greg: Class dismissed.