Hi all.. an American here trying to navigate the stimulus check situation while being an expat. I’m back in the states now, but my address on my 2018 taxes was my foreign address. As well, I didn’t give my bank information. I can’t seem to get into the stimulus check tracker because it says my information doesn’t match theirs. Not sure what to do.. any suggestions?

In the interim, I’ve been trying to file my 2019 taxes and wanted to go through the same guy I’ve been using for a few years now - David Wisdom - but can’t seem to get ahold of him. I know he does this for a lot of international teachers. Has anyone heard from him in a while? He’s usually pretty prompt, but I even tried calling his phone and the number has been disconnected. Any info would be awesome. Thanks!

Sid is right. I completed my masters online through Liberty University in May of 2016 and did my internship at my international school in Africa. I did ask that question before applying however, and knew that I'd be able to before starting the program.

Just wondering if anyone has recommendations for professional memberships that are specific to international education or leadership. Suggestions?

Egypt is the clear choice financially in the short term. Like you said, shadowjack, lots of travel and leisure options. It's clear to me though, that I've got just about zero chance of getting into administration there. In Brasilia, it seems there's a decent chance I could move into an AP position in a year or two, which could pay off financially in the long run.

We're more attracted to the educational programs happening at the Brasilia school as well. Less work load means more time with my kids. Hmm.. it's a tough one.

Some we've gotten recently (for elementary teaching positions):
1. If I walked into your room, how would I see students being engaged in learning?
2. Describe your approach to language arts, math, etc.
3. Tell me about your experience with.. (specific program).
4. What do you do to build positive relationships with and among students?

Cairo and Brasilia are the cities. We're married (happily) and don't intend to add to the divorce rate.

School 1 (in the ME)
Pros: ability to save around 25k, more/cheaper travel options, malls/shopping available, a lot of cultural activities, great PD opportunities.
Cons: semi-repressive culture, some political problems in country, heavy teacher workload, moving into admin not probable.

School 2 (in Brazil)
Pros: a lot of options for our kids, relaxed atmosphere, good possibility of moving into admin, neat school initiatives, less teacher workload.
Cons: ability to save around 12k (and paid in hurting Brazilian currency), travel is more expensive, less cultural activities.

If you had these two options on your table (and you had two small children), which would you take and why?

;)

*Update.

I contacted my Search rep to ask the same question and they suggested contacting the dream school, so I did. Unfortunately, since the school is going the way of IB, they're looking for people with that experience, of which my wife and I have none. Boo. It's unfortunate that IB has to be so tricky to get into, it has cut me (and many others) off from a ton of great ISs. We'll likely take the offer from the ME school if given it, as it really is a good school, and we enjoy Cairo.

As I'm looking to get into admin in the next few years though, the possibility of ever getting into an IB school without that crucial experience is looking slimmer and slimmer. I doubt there are any credible IB ISs out there that would want to hire an admin without IB experience. Sigh..

Oooohh, did I create a thread with some drama? I've always wanted to be the cause of something juicy going down. Seriously though, I do have a conscience.. and integrity. I won't say never, but I'd have a hard time imagining a situation where I'd break contract. That said, I do believe PsyGuy was just giving the options. Being a crappy human being is certainly an option.

I've been thinking along the lines of what you just said, shadowjack. We have what I'm assuming is our final interview with the head of school this coming weekend. If they make an offer and give us the normal week period to deliberate, I'll contact our dream school who's checked our references and ask them what our status is. I'll keep you in the loop!

Thanks for the advice, Shadowjack. In the case that we are offered jobs and given a set amount of time (like a week) to respond, do you think it would be wise to contact the school that I know has checked our references to inquire about our status?

I know that schools won't outright give candidates hope by suggesting that they turn down present offers for a hope of a future one with them, but I'm just wondering if HRs will be honest about whether or not we're being looked at seriously or not. Does that make sense?

My wife and I have taught at 3 different schools (international, public stateside, and another international). We've been at each for 2 years, and are leaving our current one. We've applied to a dozen schools, had an interview already, and just about have an offer on the table. Of course, we know we will need to stay at our next post for a few years to show we can be stable, but every place we've left, we had a good rationale. It's never hurt us (that we know of!).

My wife and I have applied to only a dozen or so schools. We really didn't expect to be contacted by any of them for a while because, as that has been our experience in the past. If only schools would all contact me at the same time, I could really weigh our options! But, we all know that doesn't usually happen.

Anyway, we were asked to interview a day after submitting our applications to a great school in the ME, but it's probably 8-9th on our list. The interviews have gone very well, and we expect a contract offer. There are two other schools that are at the top of our list who we know are checking our references, but haven't contacted us for interviews yet. One of the reasons is that their teachers don't have to declare until Dec. 1, so they don't specifically know what openings they'll have (though I have insider knowledge that there will be room for us).

If you had a pretty good offer on the table, but high hopes that a dream job could come if you turn it down and wait, what would you do? Afterall, it's still only October.

Our current school in Africa has 3- and 4-year-old classes. Our youngest was 2 months shy of the age cut off for the 3 year old class, but they allowed her to enter with the expectation that she'd repeat it the next year. It's working out well for us. We also have to hire a nanny and a driver, however, because the early childhood classes are dismissed at 1:30.

I appreciate your 2 cents.

There are certainly advantages to staying where we are in Africa. However, we do eventually want to get back to Asia. I never envisioned us living here for more than 2-3 years, but sticking around for admin would mean at least 3 more years after this year (at least one before I can get into admin, then a 2-year AP contract). Also- while my kids are small and relatively happy here, my wife and I don't necessarily love it here. We don't dislike it, I guess, but I'm not sure I want to be here for 3 more years.

Althouuuugh, like you said, it's a seemingly good opportunity to get into admin. And, it would be nice to have a year free of transition or added workload (grad program).

Just wish I could feel confident that I could get into a decent school in a better location either as an AP, or with the opportunity to move up in the next year or so.