Search found 175 matches

by Mathman
Mon Jan 18, 2016 4:34 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: The New ISR Member Forum is for Reviewing Schools
Replies: 4
Views: 7098

Re: The New ISR Member Forum is for Reviewing Schools

Just a query, as a non-member, I am not expecting any access to said forum. But I could contribute to the forum if a school that I worked at came up (but not view any of the material in the forum). You would be removing a large portion of potential reviews.
by Mathman
Thu Jan 14, 2016 4:41 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: At the fair now... some observations.
Replies: 15
Views: 22975

Re: At the fair now... some observations.

I agree with Psyguy's generalisation of the interview times and you made a major error for not attending the interviews. The fair is very much an opportunity to network as it is about getting a job. I receive enough attention before I get to fairs to justify that.

For the interview times, I feel a bit ripped off because I frequently get 1 hour plus interviews, but no offers since they want to explore cheaper options first. Sign of the times....
by Mathman
Thu Jan 14, 2016 4:25 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Alexandria, Egypt
Replies: 4
Views: 6398

Re: Alexandria, Egypt

Taxis are everywhere, except when you really really really need one...
by Mathman
Thu Jan 14, 2016 4:20 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Dengue mosquito
Replies: 26
Views: 29107

Re: Dengue mosquito

DDT is such a common pesticide in the developing world. It is only banned for USE in the USA. They are still a major producer of DDT and export it. It is effective at limiting mosquitos, but preventive measures help. Basically don't let them breed near you. If there is a problem with dengue or malaria, the local government is highly likely to gas the area with DDT, whether you notice or not is another thing.
by Mathman
Thu Dec 17, 2015 6:09 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Working in Tianjin
Replies: 4
Views: 7052

Working in Tianjin

A few jobs I might've been interested in came up, but they are worryingly close to where the big port explosion was. The two schools with jobs on search are Maple Leaf Teda and Teda International School. From Google maps, they are only a few miles away from the site.

No new information about the clean up seems to be available.

Wonder if people think its worth going there?
by Mathman
Sun Jun 14, 2015 2:37 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: What to do if a principal is threatening staff?
Replies: 1
Views: 3881

What to do if a principal is threatening staff?

Hi everyone

While working through the school processes might remove the principal from the position. What do staff have to fall back on when he threatens to blackball all of us on the head's forum?
by Mathman
Fri Apr 04, 2014 11:03 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: How much math does a high school math teacher need?
Replies: 42
Views: 41830

Re: How much math does a high school math teacher need?

Most universities have rubbish math programs. And first year is designed to establish a base of algebra and calculus to do some proper math. There is a reason why a 7 in HL mean you don't do 1st year uni math and can enter 2nd. I entered 2nd year Math directly from a standard significantly higher than what IB has to offer, yet at my uni, I lacked the multivariable calculus that was done in my unis first year program. I have no doubt any student that can get a seven in IB math will have the requisitE skills to bridge any gap quickly. Though with the quality of the local program lowering, the standard at university has also had to slip.

I've seen what is taught at some other uni's math programs, but their graduates are equivalent to our second year. This is why respected schools have their prestige, it is earned. Those that did not have the opportunity will not understand why.

Teaching tertiary has its benefits that are constant pains in secondary. Responsibility is dumped on the student, as it should be. Poor attendance and lack of motivation is not your concern. Students alcohol and drug problems are their problems, unlike at a school where it becomes yours. Also your timetable is definitely clearer and you have the opportunity to pursue your passions (like primary school teachers since they have a TA to do all their time consuming work..rant). Being a good teacher anyway will make you popular as the students will enjoy your course and be motivated to do well, and you will not have to worry about having a job. I certainly never had that problem. The only reason I chose schools instead is for the educational benefit for my kids, as soon as they are old enough for college, then it will be time to reconsider. And sorry, the pay at a tertiary institute is also merit based, so I got paid more than I do now and had much higher earning potential. However, if I had to pay for kids education.....
by Mathman
Fri Apr 04, 2014 10:32 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Cost of running air purifiers in Beijing
Replies: 18
Views: 23226

Re: Cost of running air purifiers in Beijing

Yet the moment you walk outside......and most people have no sense of smell and can't pick up which chems are actually in the air when it appears clean and 'smells' clean. You might as well smoke....
by Mathman
Fri Mar 28, 2014 11:49 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Why can't we "just teach"?
Replies: 15
Views: 18879

Re: Why can't we "just teach"?

I disagree with the - of international schools. There are definitely some that are worse than an 'American' school. But these are typically for profit schools.

However, for profit schools also provide the only opportunity for merit based pay.

My current school lets teachers do as they please if they have already proven themselves, and parents communicate as they find the need. Students are well adjusted and other than the few exceptions, make good use of their time. Unfortunately leadership is weak throughout the school, but the strength of the teaching faculty make the school run the way it should, for the students to learn the SKILLS they need, not just the knowledge. They are strong enough to dump poor teachers after a year. Would this recipe work everywhere? Doubt it...
by Mathman
Fri Mar 28, 2014 11:32 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Breaking a contract- semantics or small print?
Replies: 4
Views: 6838

Re: Breaking a contract- semantics or small print?

It's strange that a contract will even give you that chance. Usually having some local quirk that pisses you off to no end (at least pretend it does) would be a way to exploit this. Eg traffic 'laws', special hygiene customs.....

Quite frankly, having outstanding references override a missing one. Some heads are just douchebags pricks that care about their pockets and nothing else. I got a reference from one of the parties my head supposedly said was complaining about me. A few brunt wooden bridges won't matter since they only take you to stupid places anyway. Keep those nicely constructed ones that don't resonate in the wind
by Mathman
Fri Mar 28, 2014 11:09 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: How much math does a high school math teacher need?
Replies: 42
Views: 41830

Re: How much math does a high school math teacher need?

As a scholarship student, I can tell you all the other students I worked with were all innately strong - thinkers. We scored A's by intuitively understanding the Math as our ability to process algebra naturally is not the same as most. There were others in our class that just got by with their Bs and Cs and never challenged the top students. Exams were designed to try and separate us, and the time constraints meant the only way we lost marks were when we didn't have time to attempt the question. So it was hard for the other to touch the 90% grade. Oh, and most of us spent our time playing cards and other games at uni. Like anything else, math ability is a talent, no amount of rote learning will get you to my standard.

Having said that, successful completion of university Math is more than sufficient to teach high school and lower university. If you were lucky enough to study with actually talented mathematicians, you will learn to differentiate the strong students from your truly talented ones when you are teaching. I know several of my less distinguished mathematics classmates went on to be good teachers. Learning how to teach in your environment is always more important.

Where I would say being a good mathematician makes a big difference is identifying and nurturing talent. People usual identify strong math students well, but talented students typically scrape As and don't care because it is not challenging enough to put any intellectual effort in. Much like what I did at school, though I aced the only exams that mattered. These students will only work for someone they instinctively identify as being equally strong. I had one in the past and pushed him to much greater things, and now have two, which is rare when they aren't related. It makes a small difference with strong students as they see an opportunity to bridge the gap in your skills and work hard to get there
by Mathman
Fri Mar 28, 2014 10:36 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: 8 Years IB MAth HL and SL No interviews?!
Replies: 28
Views: 31213

Re: 8 Years IB MAth HL and SL No interviews?!

Have you tried googling your name? You could have some slander online or an evil namesake
by Mathman
Fri Mar 28, 2014 10:31 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Leaving an empty house
Replies: 16
Views: 28475

Re: Leaving an empty house

Find the main pipe just after your water meter. Turn it off, then drain all your taps in the house. Once they are dry, leave them on, then disconnect the lowest supply pipe in your house. The remaining water will come out. If you leave them open, any water freezing should not be a problem.
by Mathman
Sat Jan 18, 2014 9:58 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Fairview International School Kuala Lumpur
Replies: 16
Views: 56507

I take back what I said....it would need to be 17k Ringgit for me to sell my soul
by Mathman
Sat Jan 11, 2014 3:41 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: The order off things, interview-wise
Replies: 5
Views: 5307

I disagree about salary. If the school has quite a small package, it is worth bringing up what you could do on said salary. While it's great for the save the world hippies, it may not for a professional teacher that is looking to save up for their retirement.