I didn't even realize GMU had a STEM offering, which I wouldn't be interested in actually. If I go to GMU it will either be for a M.Ed in Advanced IB, or just the graduate certificate in Advanced IB.
If I get my M.Ed in STEM it will be at Concordia Uni.

I don't have an interest in going through a portfolio pathway either, although I technically could earn the basic IB teaching and learning certificate through ECIS. I'm not looking for a program to 'teach' me STEM content, per say. I'm already creating and facilitating interdisciplinary STEAM activities in my classroom. I just don't have the advanced degree to back it up. Listing off my certifications/contributions/achievements isn't relevant to my questions, but its my work experience thus far, more so than a hobby. :giggle:

In the countries where I want to work there is a dire need in these areas. My objective is getting whatever M.Ed degree that will enhance my IB and STEM background as an expensive hire.

Option A:
M.Ed in STEM + Certification in Advanced IB

Option B:
M.Ed in Advanced IB + Certification in STEM

Option C:
Get both masters degrees

Option D:
M.Ed in Advanced IB + PhD in STEM

Would moving into an IB Coordinator type position be the best option for me being an expensive hire in the future?

I've read this forum back and forth over the years about masters programs. I'm still a bit torn and need some advice about which direction I should take to further my career. And also which degree would be more beneficial to me having a trailing spouse. We have no kids at the moment, but we are planning on starting a family within the next 4 years so I will eventually be an expensive hire (keeping it real) in the future. I'm an American currently in W. Europe but I plan on working in at least 3 IB schools in different countries over the next 10 years before settling down in our ideal location.

Right now I'm trying to decide between George Mason's (formally FAST TRAIN) program to get my M.Ed. with an Advanced IB Studies concentration. Or Concordia University's M.Ed in Curriculum & Instruction with a STEM concentration.

I know that I want to continue working in IB schools for the rest of my career. Would it be better to just get my M.Ed in STEM and then go through one of the programs for Advance IB certification? Or should I focus on GMU's Advance IB program and add on some sort of STEM certification? My goal is to move into a Curriculum Director/IB Coordinator position with this degree; so would this be the best option for me being an expensive hire in the future? Or am I shit out of luck regardless until I move into a higher admin position (7-10 year goal)?

I'm passionate about all the STEAM areas and can't limit myself to focusing on one subject (like, just Science), so I'd like my advanced degree to reflect that. I'm also wary that the word STEM is the 'in' word right now, and 10-20 years from now it won't be as in-demand as it appears to be in both DE and IE. Do you all think that the STEM bubble will eventually pop in IE? This question probably warrants a different thread.

I could complete Concordia's program in 14 months. George Mason's would take me 3 years max. The only thing I dislike about Concordia's program is that it lacks an international focus, and their focus is more on national and state standards. These standards aren't necessarily a bad thing especially with STEM subjects, but I have no plans of teaching in the US ever again. To finish GMU's program quickly I'd have to take intensive summer courses on campus in Virginia, which means I'd be spending my summers in...Virginia. ::gasp::

I know that WHERE you get your masters isn't as important WHAT you major in, but as an expensive hire I have to be careful about my choice. I'm also not opposed to eventually getting both masters degrees, or a PhD.

What do you guys think? What would you do?
I need my teaching career to fulfill my steminist agenda and also keep me relevant in the IB cult while I birth some babies.

Were your children aware that they were TCKs?
If not, do you think the support/community that exists now would have helped them cope with the university transition?

Thank you for sharing, that was a nice read. And congratulations!
Which country did you accept a job in?

I'm also interested in how the AASSA fair was this year!

sitka wrote:
> @peachestotulips
>
> I appreciate your opinion. However, I do disagree. In fact I don't think
> there is a single country that doesn't have a serious issue with either
> access to high quality medical care (main exceptions being SA and Kenya) or
> safety (with Nairobi and SA being particularly dangerous). Once you add in
> the the risk of malaria and other tropical illnesses, the poor public
> transportation, and the widespread corruption, there isn't a single place
> there I could honestly tell my little sister that it would be
> "easy" to live in compared to Japan, WE, or Singapore.
>
> But difficult doesn't mean bad - I have taken a contract there for the
> fall. :)

Congrats on the job! But again my main issue is with the statement "Many consider this a hardship post," being indicative that Africa is just one country. Maybe if it was revised to state "Many people consider some countries in Africa to be hardship postings; especially in the countries of..." it would come off as less offensive.

If you're writing this to help new international educators use as a guide one should not be so subjective; because I (and many others) have no interest working in Japan or Singapore, and WE countries are often overrated (I'm in the Netherlands).

Just some my 2 cents. But you can't edit it anyways so this comment is for nought.

I personally look at a school's hierarchy/governance more than their mission statements.

Why are you moving back to Canada though? Why do you need to go to school for another 3 years? You can get certification in Secondary Mathematics without going to a brick and mortar school right? If the issue is with China then consider getting a job somewhere else while you attain a higher (Masters?) degree. This is assuming that you already have at least a bachelors though.

I really liked this guide until I got to your comments about Africa. The first sentence read "Many consider this a hardship post."
You speak as if Africa is just one country when there are in fact 54 countries.

The international schools in El Salvador would be considered more of a hardship post than the International School of Lusaka.

Your comment about Africa was pejorative, when in fact the economies in Rwanda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Ghana all have ranked high as the fastest growing economies in the world. Certainly their economies are better than Brazil or Venezuela!

The entire continent of Africa gets this reputation as being a "hardship" posting when there are more countries that are far worse when gender or race is a factor.

I hope your final guide reflects this. I'd love to share it with new IT teachers as a starting point for their research.
I would also recommend adding some info about looking at the hierarchy and governance of schools as well as accreditations on their websites.

Mr DepTrai wrote:
> But how would you I be able to know which schools would be attending prior
> in order to notify them that I live in the area and would like a chance to
> chat??

Search, ISS, and UNI all publish a list of 'Schools Attending' their fairs that is public on their websites.

Never say never...Look up Tanai Benard and read her blog. She's an African American teacher and single mother with THREE elementary aged children who is currently teaching in Abu Dhabi at a great school.
She's doing a Q&A on Periscope today Aug. 30th at 11am CST. Her handle is 4DeepAroundTheWorld.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tenille-l ... 90560.html

This year the ECIS conference is in Barcelona.
https://www.ecis.org/events/conferences

Me and my partner have done the long distance thing for the past 6 years. We are now living under one roof since Aug. 2014, and will marry in June.
Every couple is different, but I really didn't have any sorrows about the distance because I knew (know) we are working towards our lifetime goals of being together. I never cried on the phone to him about how much I missed him (not that kinda girl). We saw each other maybe twice a year for 2-3 months at a time. Airport drop-offs were tough, but if you do think it will be unbearable to be apart then maybe you shouldn't go. You will be lonely at times. Especially if you're in a romantic city. The only real challenges are those times when you really need your partner by side (in my case death of a parent), and they're not able to be there.

On the other hand, your career is just as important. Your decision solely rests on what you can handle. If you can handle being alone in a new city by yourself and see it as an adventure then go for it. If not, then don't.
If you do go, my advice is to get a Magic Jack. It never seemed like he was far away because we called each other all the time. He was my morning alarm clock. I was the last voice he heard as he drifted asleep at nights. We hardly ever used Skype tbh, though we both had easy access to it. We maybe used it once every 3 or 4 months.

Anyways, all the best!

Thanks guys, I just wasn't sure which of the camps had schools.

Could someone be so kind as to provide the names and locations of the Aramco schools? I believe there are 5, but not sure if new campuses have been built recently.
Kind regards!