Unfortunately, I don't have much advice yet, but you just described my situation exactly (my husband is from Middle East though)!

You have the benefit of experience - I'm just now completing my MSEd. What I have found is that some schools treat foreign hires and local hires fairly equitably in terms of salary and tuition benefits. With those that don't - I was hoping to negotiate a salary and/or tuition benefits comparable (or nearly so) to foreign hire status and emphasize the fact that I don't need the housing, flight, visa and health insurance benefits. I am hoping to find some sort of compromise.

I guess my advice would be to be frank when dealing with schools in your husband's country - you may want to come back to them in subsequent posts home. I would highlight the benefits of hiring someone who can hit the ground running and then negotiate a comparable package (minus perhaps the flights or housing) because you have the same training and experience as the foreign hires.

Good luck!

This school is very popular among Jordanians. It boasts high test scores and is very rigorous. They also seem to offer a lot of extra-curriculars. I do not think they pay teachers all that well - certainly not in comparison to international schools. I've known Americans who taught there a few years ago and earned less than $1000 a month. It may be more now.

@one2many - this school is different from the International Academy - Amman. Amman Academy is more of a national school.

A friend of mine sends her children there and she was not very happy with it last I spoke to her (about 1 year ago). She said they kept changing the curriculum and that there was frequent turnover in the international teaching staff. The reviews on this site were uniformly bad as I recall. I am looking to teach specifically in Amman, but this school would not be tops on my list (and wouldn't make the list if I had other locations from which to choose).

Hello Twostars,

Thanks for asking the question as I am in the same situation and hadn't thought of joining Search. I knew I didn't want to go to the fairs, but the information on job openings/benefits might be worth the $200.

Have you had luck finding work in the past? I'm in NY now doing an MEd. Before, I taught ESL (part time) wherever we lived. I'm ready for something more stable.

Good luck to you!

I was considering the "Fast Train" program at George Mason University in Northern Virginia. It was originally created for spouses of diplomats who wanted to pursue a career overseas. It is open to anyone now. It requires two summers on campus and online coursework during the school year. Your student teaching is done abroad. I ended up doing a traditional degree in NYC since that's where I am located for a few years, but would have liked the international focus of the GMU program.

Good luck!

I have Jordanian friends who send their daughter to this school and are quite happy with it. They told me that it is improving and changing its image. The poor review on this site is probably outdated. I believe the school is trying to be more international and hiring more teachers from abroad (though a look at their website suggests most are still local). I don't know anything about the pay or benefits, but my friend thinks it is significantly higher for foreign hire teachers. My friends liked the fact that it was an affordable private school that attracts bright students from a wider range of social classes.

I have a slightly different take on "local" schools. I worked as an ESL teacher abroad and sent my kids to local preschools with better results than here in the US. It depends on the school - which of course might be difficult to figure out - until its too late. But, if you do your research, there are great national and/or bilingual schools out there.

Also, I know a lot of diplomats from smaller countries who send their kids to the local school of the host country with good results. Their kids end up performing at the top of their class and pick up a new language along the way. Its not for everyone, but if you think you and your kids are up to the challenge, I say go for it! You will certainly gain a fuller understanding of the local culture and language.

Thanks for your input Molson. Our next post will likely be in the Middle East, after that no idea. Interesting that some schools in Asia don't distinguish between local and foreign hire. Seems more fair - assuming similar qualifications.

Yes, I see what you are saying JISAlum, I probably wouldn't go to or be hired from a fair given my limitations.

But, as to how they would see my husband and kids - why would they have to be dependents at all? They have no need for airfare, insurance, visas, housing, etc. I would essentially be a single with no dependents (with the exception of possible tuition discount) and no need for any of that myself... not a bad deal I would think?

I have identified two schools in our next post - one international that pays local hires and foreign the same salary, but benefits differ. Another national school that pays foreign hires double that of local hires, but gives the same tuition discount to both. The national school defined expatriate hires as "those hired outside of ... or already in country on an existing expatriate package." Don't know if that is typical, but I think it would define my situation.

Thanks again for the advice!

Thanks for the advice JISAlum!

I will definately do my best to make myself available once we are in country.

I was hoping though to make contact, and perhaps even land an offer, before arriving. In the case of our next post, I know it will be my husband's home country and can make contact with the appropriate schools when I'm closer to finishing my degree.

If I had a few years' experience under my belt - do you think I would be competitive as a foreign hire or is that totally out of the question?

To be clear - I am a trailing spouse, but my husband's benefit pkg (small, non-western country) is rather modest - I am hoping to contribute with a decent salary or perhaps more importantly tuition benefits for our kids.

I'm currently doing a master's in elementary ed to gain certification to teach in NY state (where we're posted for a couple years). I have over a decade of international living experience and a few years ESL teaching experience (with adults).

I am a "trailing spouse" - how difficult can I expect it to be to find employment? I will be contacting only the schools in the country to which my husband is assigned. I have 2 kids and would hope to find some sort of partial tuition relief (is that wishful thinking?), but other benefits (housing, insurance, etc) are not an issue.

Will my lack of elementary experience be a huge obstacle? Will I be seen as a "local hire" with lower pay and no tuition benefits? Are there certain countries/ regions where a person in my situation may do better? Europe comes to mind because they don't seem as likely to offer the housing, etc.

Thank you for any and all advice!