I left a position (chem and AP chem) in 2019 to teach at a new school much closer to my house. I also left due to high admin turn over and extreme drop in school rating and test scores. School went downhill after our principal left in 2018.

The new school is a newer “specialized” charter school with a high turn over rate and low score (C school). Despite working with much more experienced teachers I was made department head and three preps, two in classes I had never taught before. I never had an observation or meeting with my mentor teacher. Support from admin was non-existent. The students were low level ESL students, didn’t have a lab classroom (taught chem, bio and physical science), 30+ students in the classroom... the works. It was disastrous for my mental health.

I left March 1st with two weeks notice. Little did I know schools would be shut down two weeks later for almost the entire year. I have no desire to go to this hybrid learning, closing schools every other week or teaching online and F2F so have been doing odd jobs and collecting unemployment this year.

How do I explain this to a prospective school? Do I wait for an interview? Mention in a cover letter?

I didn’t really establish relationships with admin or colleagues. It was a fend for yourself environment. What could I do in the interim to make myself more marketable? I began applying to IS several years ago and then closed it off so most recs are a couple of years old. Looking mostly at SA schools since those borders are open and potentially SEA in the right cities. EU is a pipe dream.

Last year I began the process late. I didn't have all of my references in until November, went the fair, but didn't come out with any luck. I had a couple of follow up interviews with places that were low balling me, especially with student loans and just regular living expenses. But I'm starting back fresh and with a new attitude for this year. I'm getting another cert (Maybe upper level maths) and want to get the ball rolling early.

When should I begin to actively looking on SEARCH and sending out resumes? I really would prefer SA or Europe, so I need something stand out and want to be on their minds early. How early do you start sending out resumes? Do you find contacts in your respective classes to reach out to? I want this year to be my year!

I teach at a domestic American school now and I still haven't found a job. I'm sure it's because I'm limiting the regions I want to go to, but I don't want to restrict the school or curriculum available. Am I wasting my time applying to a British school? I teach chemistry and GCSE Chem doesn't look all that different from AP Chemistry. Any suggestions?

The interview day was pretty terrible. I came from the east coast. It was partly my own fault as I chose to go out every night. I used to live on the U.K. And wanted to see friends I hadn't see in several years. Sitting down to a couple of the interviews, I actually thought I would fall asleep talking. By the end of the second day I was so exhausted trying to write thank you notes and wait for a late interview I fell asleep at a table.
Coming back west was so much easier, probably due to the fact that I went out and made my bed time more similar to my regular time zone. Sometimes I can deal with jet lag, sometimes not.

b12r wrote:
> On average (I know this one will be tough to nail down a correct number)
> how many candidates that attend a fair sign a contract? I know a lot
> happens post fair but curious as to how many roll in on Day 0 without a
> contract and leave after Day 3 with a contract?

I couldn't tell you a number, but just anecdotally, I have met and heard from a lot of people today who had multiple offers and were making their decisions. It was especially high for those with many years of experience or newbies going to SEA or ME. It wasn't terribly promising for those of us who are newer to the game.

This is the first time I've had the opportunity to sit down and reflect on the weekend. Day four and it's a lot of sitting around and waiting or listening to happy people make decisions.

Day 1 - Got off the plane and had to go straight to the fair from the States. I was a bit disoriented and overwhelmed walking in, but glad it was a relatively easy day. I attended only a couple of sessions as I teach science and there weren't many openings this year. From what I gathered this was for all positions across the board. I went to a Tier 1 SEA school where the director knew my name when I walked in. It wasn't a school I had considered and is probably far out of my league, but it was a great confidence boost. After being so exhausted I didn't want to tend a huge amount of sessions. Instead, I chose to turn in resumes and my Ichiro to the mailboxes of the schools I had a strong interest in.

Day 2 - Jet lag killed me and 8 am came way too early. I didn't find long lines at any of the schools and everyone was willing to interview. A small WE school who expressed interest in me prior to the fair decided they didn't like my no IB experience and was the only school to outright refuse an interview. Otherwise, I was able to schedule them all in one day. I figured this would get all of the initial interviews out of the way and then I could leave the rest of the fair to follow ups or seeing friends. This was my smartest move.

I would say all of the meetings went well. One practically offered me the job, but said they could not promise anything until they had an official resignation from the current teacher. I had a long lull and then four in pretty fast succession. One school who seemed keen offered a job to the previous candidate, which I could easily hear through the open door. Yet she still interviewed me, but it was very half hearted. I felt like it would have been better to be more upfront about the current state. The others went well, but no promises of second interviews. My final interview is the last I'm waiting to hear about. Its a smaller WE school. In my haze of jet lag I forgot to send my digital portfolio to her yesterday. There was a mention of a Skype interview. At the moment, this is probably my top choice.

Day 3 - Slept in finally. I had two rejections via email and in my mailbox, but it was to be expected. I was not nearly as qualified as the rest of the people applying nor do I think they would have been the best fit. This was a great day to meet other teachers and discuss jobs and schools. I actually met someone leaving a really great position and he said he would put in a word for me. All weekend we discussed jobs and told each other of openings. I was really surprised with the number of candidates for my positions. And some really well rounded ones that were snapped right up.

Day 4 - Last day and the mood is either jubilant or a bit deflated. Many teachers I've heard had multiple offers at great schools, but there are many of us who still haven't heard back. At this point as a relative newbie, I think no news is good news. I know others who were outright rejected for both positions I'm waiting to hear back from. I also chose today to work on my digital portfolio.

Pros - Had the opportunity to interview schools and meet directors/principals/head of depts that will be good to have for later. Putting a personality to a piece of paper is vital when you're experience doesn't seem to compare to others'.
Being in London. I got to catch up with old friends.
Having others critique and give advice in person.
Connections with current teachers and hearing about other schools with a perspective that can't be gained online.
The ichiro - everyone seemed to really like it. Mine was notecard sized with a few bullet points and a couple of cute pictures. I think it helped me stand out.

Cons -
Was told not to have a digital portfolio and then in my last interview it was requested. I had to throw something together and it's not quite up to the standard that I would want it to be at. I wish it had been stressed to have one, especially for new teachers.
The weather haha
Very competitive fair. A lot of people are walking away today disappointed.

I would definitely go to another fair. I came in with no expectations considering my experience and I think that was the best attitude to have. Everyone has assured me that there are more positions that will open in the spring. I really just looked at it as an opportunity to maybe get a job and figure out the climate of IE.

London starts today/tomorrow. I'm going to try to do a diary, but it's going to be a whirlwind flying in from the States after work, hop off the plane and heading in to the fair. Lots to do in a very short amount of time!

So much information! I feel like I put a lot off as I had a lot of things going on over Christmas break.

Currently I'm sitting here and emailing all of the schools I've previously emailed just saying, "Hey, I'll see you there!" Looking at the list and a lot of the WE and EE schools don't even have any positions open at all (Those previously mentioned "Cold applications") yet they are attending. Why might that be? I think I'll spend the rest of the day sending in some emails to them and putting those on my contact on the last day list.

I'm attending London this week and steadily becoming more nervous. I've only been teaching a few years and I'm relatively young. It suppose that it helps I teach an in demand subject, but my nerves are starting to get to me! Any tips for new teachers? I have no experience in IB, but want to show that I'm willing to learn and move my career in that direction.

The number of schools is kind of limited, though to be expected with my field. I only see about seven that I really want to interview with, but I'm wondering if that is too narrow a focus. Would approaching schools that I know were recently hiring be okay? Primary focus is Europe, especially with my background of living there. I know competition is pretty fierce... I'll probably take a lot of other interviews as it can't hurt to brush up my skills.

It's turning into a Swiss International School at the start of the year.. (moderator has removed content.........does anyone know about SIS that may provide some information on whether it is getting better?

I'm applying for my first IS position this year and headed to the London SA fair soon. I have some seemingly superficial questions. I teach in the south now and, like many DS, the dress policy is pretty lax. Jeans at least once a week, sandals, dresses. No one wears suits (pants suits or otherwise). How do teachers at your IS dress? It's been something I've been curious about, especially seeing pictures online of how teachers are dressed on an IS website

I also have several visible tattoos, small ones on my wrists and one on my back that is visible unless it has a collar. I'm a younger, female teacher. tattoos are very commonplace here, but other IT are usually older/more conservative it seems. I just wonder how these will be perceived when interviewing in person or as a teacher.

Thank you!

Not to high jack, but my question is similar - I've been teaching at my school three years and don't want my administration to know I'm considering leaving yet. Can I hold off on asking my AP for a reference letter? Should I go ahead and ask? Any suggestions? I don't want to my admin to treat me differently with me considering a school change...