We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Stephanie Britton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Stephanie, how does your business help the community?
Sharing has always been something I enjoy doing. The pleasure I get after sharing and knowing that others have gained invaluable information is one of the reasons I do not consider what I do as a business. I refer to it as “giving back” or sharing my experience with my community and the world. My activities and engagement on my YouTube channel – Kicking with Dr. Britton started after many teachers reached out to me to learn how they could acquire a teaching job in the United States or other countries. Initially, I composed one video sharing the basic requirements needed to teach in the states and was astonished by the number of views the video received over time. I continued to share other informative relatable videos on teaching in the states and the different J1 sponsors available to teachers. The video content expanded to live interviews with international teachers sharing their experiences from different countries including the USA, Abu Dhabi, Jamaica, Kuwait, and Japan. Shortly after, J1 sponsor representatives came on the channel to share their program requirements and processes for becoming an international teacher with a community of teachers that joined the lives weekly to learn more about teaching abroad.

Through the informative videos and interviews, my community has helped many teachers acquire teaching positions in different states including Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Colorada, Florida, and more. I am excited to share that my work has brought international teachers from countries across the globe, including Jamaica, Philippines, Ghana, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the Bahamas, to come here in the United States to educate our future leaders.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been an educator since 2001. Yes! As soon as I completed high school, I was in the classroom as a pre-trained teacher. Realizing that I wanted to engage my students meaningfully, I enrolled in a teachers’ college to obtain the skill sets needed to ensure students in my care are afforded the best education possible. I attended St. Joseph’s Teachers’ College in Jamaica and completed my Bachelor’s in Primary Education. Recognizing that educators need to keep up to date with changes in our society while providing students with the education they need propelled me to enroll and complete my Masters in Educational Supervision at Western Carolina University, North Carolina. I am excited to share that I graduated summa cum laude – a proud moment for me! Shortly after completing my masters and over ten years of teaching in Jamaica, I decided it was time to experience teaching in another country. Because hey! Educators need to be versatile, flexible, and adaptable. Additionally, I thought a change in culture and scenery would positively impact my profession. On August 8, 2015 I started my international teaching journey in a small town in South Carolina called Estill. At first, I did not know what to expect but I was ready for the new adventure. I quickly got homesick and had to remind myself that this was a part of the process. My eagerness to learn new things and meet new people motivated me to adapt quickly to the culture while imparting knowledge to my students from their curriculum and about Jamaica. It is my opinion that my first year was a success. By the end of my first-year teaching internationally, I knew I wanted to do further studies.

I applied to start my doctorate with the American College of Education and thought I was ok until the first course. I froze and doubted myself. I wondered if I could take on such a huge task. Finally, through initial guidance as simple as marking my name present in the course and reading through the course syllabus, I started to relax and made a promise to get it completed . I must add that completing my doctorate was and still is the hardest thing I have done in my life thus far! But it was worth it!

I want to share with others who may feel intimidated by new opportunities or incapable of taking on certain tasks to exert your best in everything you do. We all have greatness within us and you will never experience your greatness if you don’t try. Be determined and stay focused!

Kicking with Dr. Britton’s international teacher sharing started after I completed my doctoral program. My passion for helping international teachers birthed the brand, I Love International Teachers (ILIT) and the creation of a nonprofit organization, Aid for International Teachers (AFIT). More information can be found on my IG or YouTube page – Kicking with Dr. Britton.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My Favorite spot to hang out in Georgia is downtown Savannah. There are so many fun places to see and visit. The waterfront is calming with breathtaking scenery. There are a lot of great restaurants to choose from and many attractions to keep you entertained and engaged.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I want to give special recognition to my husband because if it were not for him I would still be doing “silly TikTok dances” (in his voice) or making prank videos. I remember sharing with him the inquiries from interested teachers who wanted to teach abroad and ideas on how I would share the information. My husband said, “You need to use your strengths as a trained and highly qualified international educator to share invaluable information with the teaching community.”

We sat together and wrote down the things I would share. He said, “You must share your journey from Jamaica to teaching in the United States.” My first video on how to get a teaching job abroad was recorded and directed by him. I was so nervous compared to him being so patient. He has been a driving force behind the scenes, assisting with ideas and next steps and I want him to know that I highly appreciate him!

To my children, thank you for your support and assistance in every way possible. I appreciate you Carey Jr! My behind-the-scenes personnel. You ROCK! My sisters and cousin also provide a great support system that helps me stay motivated. Most importantly, I thank God for taking me to this place. I don’t know what God’s plans are for my life but I will follow!

A big shout out to the community of viewers who found the information shared on my platform informative and relevant and extended their appreciation by sharing it with fellow teachers. To all the international teachers who interviewed on the platform and shared their international experiences with the community, YOU are appreciated! Thanks for coming to share. Shout out to Ms. Julie Livermore and Dr. Logan who made it on the platform twice to ensure teachers were preparing, packing, and planning for their new international teaching journey.

Thank you to all my supporters, friends, and well-wishers, and remember to WALK in your GREATNESS!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kickingwithdrbritton/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-britton-ed-d-38a21b176/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2437961979643019

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGYGud8QfmPP635X8503gBw

Image Credits
Dr. Britton

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