So, relatedly, if Search and others are now going to require us to share vaccination status, shouldn't it also follow that we as candidates can search schools on their databases that require the vaccine versus those that don't? Yet, as of this morning, when I logged in, I am not seeing any way to search for which schools require vaccinated candidates versus those that don't. What happened to "what's good for the goose is good for the gander?" If they want to go in this direction of treating vaccination status as if it's equivalent to having six dependents or the wrong passport, then we as candidates should be able to not waste our time either.

My school is requiring it, so I put in my resignation. I may retire now, which I am fine with, but I could go one more round. I also would like to remind all of you that some of us have health conditions that really do prevent us from getting vaccinated. Mine is benign on a daily basis and only requires one or two extra medical appointments each year, but if I get the vaccine my primary care provider has assured me that I will taking a huge risk not worth taking. Having some humility when you all spout out how everyone needs to get the vaccine or they are dumb would be warranted. Everyone's situation is different.

Can someone with knowledge give me their thoughts on the ISS Virtual Fair schedule for the fall. Do certain schools aim to recruit at certain fairs? Similarly, are certain candidates wiser to sign up for one fair vs. another?

More generally, what do people know about how schools will be utilizing or not utilizing the ISS and Search fall virtual fairs this year compared to past years?

Thanks.

Your pick, an umbrella or burka? Why not both? Have fun! Ekeren isn't bad in all seriousness.

Well, did you get a job?

Well, all is well that ends well. For those of you who remember me, I set out months ago with the goal of determining my final post before packing it in. Europe is where I spent my professional life, but before I bow out in two and a half years, I decided to go for South America as the cherry on top of my career. Let's just say, in the last few weeks I got exactly what I wanted - the city and school that were in my crosshairs. An old hand like me knows how to get things done once the eye is on the prize. Thanks to all of those on this forum who gave input along the way. I probably won't be visiting here again, as the sun is setting on this workhorse, but I wanted to leave with a question that hopefully won't get me banned or blocked again. Without rankings or ratings per se so we can get away with it, what is the school and/or city that would offer you a job that you would be crazy to say no to? I realize this is going to be somewhat different for each of you, but after a career of getting exactly what I want I feel like I have won the lottery again and again, and I think it is a useful exercise to have each of you zero in on your dream because only if you define it can you one day achieve it. I will check back soon enough with my pick, which will either be the name of where I am going next or where I was posted second, but in the meantime, have at it.

Completely concur that Brazil is THE place for a single male teacher in South America, or for that matter, in the Americas. I would also argue that there are some great savings and safety and satisfaction options in Eurasia (Azerbaijan) is my favorite.

I love hearing diverse viewpoints like senator's. Please keep it up. It's so sad when educators can't calmly review constructive criticism without becoming agitated enough to "fight back," even in a forum! This sadly filters down to the students and we end up with student snowflakes. You all need to chill.

This is a classic case of an admin who is insecure who takes it out on faculty. Sadly, this exists well beyond Asia. Just because someone is your boss does not mean that he or she has any magic insight into social skills. If anything, I have found that many admins are actually horrible communicators compared to teachers. Start working on that resume.

How hard is it to land a job at the American School in Rio de Janeiro (EARJ). I've heard the recruiting is very targeted and it's an in demand location. EAC (Campinas) and Lincoln (Buenos Aires) seem to have more mainstream recruiting schedules/techniques and seem more open to outsiders - all of the above seem like good or great schools. Also, what about the Uruguayan American School? I do fear, though, that I would be a bit bored there.

Marina,

I want to send along to you my sincere sympathies for what you are going through. This happened to me in my first job. Back then the market was not what it is today and I was able to turn lemons into lemonade the next year by jumping ship to a much better school for me and a much better city. Today, though, these schools and admins are pretty petty and I don't know if I would be so lucky today. A good admin would hear your concerns - if they still exist in November - and say, by all means, look around and we will post your job. A bad admin would either fire you on the spot or remind you that you are under contract for a year and half more and you will never work again in this field if you dare think of leaving. I pray you have a good admin. Especially if you are willing to take the hit to leave and probably miss out on end of contract perks as a result, by all means I really hope they let you go early if you want to go. In Europe and East Asia today I believe that they would let you break the contract. In ME and SA I am not so sure.

So, after taking each comment above to heart, I really do have to agree with PsyGuy vis a vis my needs; I am keeping my eye on Brazil and Argentina for the 2015-2016 school year. Both countries are going through things, but both are big, bold, and beautiful, as they say, and that's how I want to go out - with a bang.

So, Buenos Aires vs. Sao Paulo vs. Rio de Janeiro?

Can I get thoughts of those with experience in all or some of the above cities? I am looking for city feedback here more than school feedback, but of course Lincoln, Graded, and EARJ are my targets. Here's to an exciting recruiting season starting out in style for everyone. Let's bring this forum back to life.

College teaching usually requires at least a masters, but in those cases you are only going to be adjunct with nearly no benefits. You would be in greater demand and have better security and benefits at independent schools in metro areas. Ideally a school that values diversity and internationalism as a part of its core value system.

I agree with PsyGuy and would take it a step further: the most desirable college counselors are those with an Ivy League undergrad degree (no matter the major), college counseling experience in a domestic school (ideally director of college counseling), university admissions office experience (admissions officer with regional territory or higher), and UCLA certificate in college counseling. These individuals are usually also well-connected in NACAC, OACAC, etc. These are the stars in the field and these are the ones who demanding international parents and demanding international schools will trust with their students as these students transition to (hopefully) the colleges and universities of their choice in both US and Europe, and other regions.

Budapest and Bucharest are nothing alike. Budapest is grand, has countless beautiful spots on both the Pest and Buda sides, and is generally steeped in amazing culture, cuisine, history, and intellectual energy. Bucharest is a backwater that is a literal mess physically and organizationally. Bucharest is closer in experience to Sofia, Baku, or Tsiblisi. Budapest is, in my opinion, superior to places like Vienna, Berlin, and Prague.

Thank you for everybody's input!