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The number one thing that stops teachers from seriously considering a teacher leave of absence to teach abroad is the fear of losing everything they have worked for — their tenure, pension, benefits, and job security.
Here is what most teachers do not know: you probably do not have to quit your current school district to teach abroad. It is often possible for a teacher to take a leave of absence to teach abroad.
The majority of US school districts offer a personal or professional leave of absence that allows teachers to be away from their positions for 1 to 3 years and return to their district as teachers. Most teachers never ask because they assume the answer is no.
It usually is not.
What Is a Leave of Absence to Teach Abroad?
A leave of absence is a formal, approved period away from your teaching position. Unlike resigning, a leave of absence keeps your employment relationship with the district intact. Your position, your tenure, and often your pension status are protected during the leave.
There are typically two types of leave of absence that apply here:
**Personal leave of absence** — for personal reasons, including travel, family, or professional development. This is the most common type of teacher used for teaching abroad.
**Educational leave** — specifically for pursuing education or professional growth. Teaching abroad at an accredited school can qualify under this category in some districts.
How to Get a Leave of Absence to Teach Abroad
Taking a leave of absence for teachers to teach abroad is simpler than you think. Here is exactly what to do:
**Step 1:** Call your district HR department. Ask specifically about personal leave-of-absence or educational leave policies. Request the policy in writing, either as a document or an email.
**Step 2:** Check your union contract. If you are in a teachers’ union, your collective bargaining agreement likely has LOA provisions that may be more generous than the district’s base policy. Ask your union representative for the specific section.
**Step 3:** Ask the right questions. When you speak to HR, ask these specifically:
How long can I take leave? Is it one year, two years, or more?
Is my position held, or is a position at my level guaranteed?
What happens to my tenure status during the leave?
Does my pension continue to accrue, or does it pause?
What happens to my step placement on the salary scale?
What is the deadline to apply for leave for the following school year?
**Step 4:** Get everything in writing. A verbal yes from a principal is not a leave of absence. You need formal, documented approval before you sign any contract abroad.
Your class size will often be smaller, giving you the opportunity to really connect with your students.
Tenure Protection?
In most districts, tenure is protected during an approved leave of absence. This means you return with the same tenure status you had when you left.
However, this varies by district and state. Some districts require a minimum number of years before granting leave. Some have specific conditions. Ask explicitly: Will my tenure status be maintained during my leave?
What About Your Pension?
This is where it gets nuanced. Pension accrual during a leave of absence depends on your state’s Teacher Retirement System rules.
Some states continue to accrue credited service during approved leave. Others pause accrual entirely. A few allow you to buy back the time when you return.
Check your specific state TRS website or call them directly. This is too important to assume.
Social Security contributions also pause while you are not paying into the US system. If you are working abroad and paying into a foreign social security system, there may be totalization agreements that affect your US benefits.
The Application Timeline
Some districts require leave-of-absence requests to be submitted by spring, typically in March or April, for the following school year. If you miss this window, you may have to wait another year.
Start the process early. Even if you have not yet decided where to teach abroad, knowing your LOA options removes the biggest obstacle.
What If My District Says No To A Leave Of Absence to Teach Abroad?
It happens, though less often than teachers expect. If your district does not have a formal LOA policy, or if your request is denied, you have a few options:
Talk to your union representative about filing a grievance or requesting an exception.
Ask about unpaid personal leave as an alternative.
Consider whether a one-year resignation, with a strong relationship with your principal, could lead to a rehiring. Many districts actively recruit experienced teachers back.
In some school districts, you will get your tenure back after about 4 months, provided you receive a good evaluation upon returning to the classroom.
Your old job will be waiting should you choose to go back.
Your Career When You Come Home
When you return from teaching abroad, many districts award salary-scale credit for years of teaching at accredited international schools. This means your time abroad can actually advance your position on the pay scale.
If you teach at an English-language school, it probably won’t count toward your credit, but the experience is worth it. I personally didn’t get credit, but I’m okay with that!
Document everything while you are abroad: school name, curriculum used, student ages and class sizes, and any leadership roles. When you return, request a salary scale evaluation with your documented experience.
The First Step To Taking A Leave Of Absence to Teach Abroad
Call your HR department this week to ask about taking a leave of absence to teach abroad. A phone call is the easiest way to it takes to find out whether teaching abroad is possible without losing your career.
If you want a complete step-by-step checklist covering leave of absence, documents, finances, and country research, grab the free Teach Abroad Starter Checklist.
Already know you want to go? The Ultimate Teach Abroad Toolkit covers everything from your first question to your flight home, including a full US Teachers section on career protection.