The bad news is that yes, you would be mostly limited to the middle east and Asia if you need to save 25,000 a year. It just won't happen in Europe other than at maybe one or two schools in Switzerland.

The good news is that Asia is great and offers a huge amount of great schools/packages and interesting cities to live/work (some people also like the ME). If you need that type of money then you really should join Search. Their school database has all of the benefits/package information, taxes, etc on each school and an estimate of potential savings which is generally pretty accurate.

There any number of schools in China where an experienced teaching couple can easily save one whole person's salary (35,000 to 50,000) while still having an ayi to help out and doing a reasonable amount of traveling and dining out. Beijing alone has at least 5 schools that could offer that.

Do your research and make an plan to search and apply.

[quote="michellejb"]I have K - 8 certification but have only taught kindergarten (for 15 years). Would there be a chance I could get hired teaching another grade? or would I be better only trying to get K since all my experience is there?[/quote]

Try for anything in elementary. It doesn't hurt. On the other hand, there are always positions for early childhood being posted. My wife is certified and experienced in elementary but accepted a position at a great school for Pre-K. You never know.

When we were starting out and trying to decide between ISS and Search, ISS wouldn't even write us back (so that was an easy decision).

Search has been good. Strong points are the searchable school/job database (great detailed info. on students, faculty, package, savings etc) and being in a candidate database that schools can search (we just got an unsolicited inquiry from a top school a few weeks ago).

Job fairs are also plentiful and attract great schools. Whether it pays off for you is hit or miss.

Weak points are their supposedly helpful associates. They make a big deal of choosing who your associate will be but ours never did anything to actually promote our candidacies beyond cashing the check and forwarding our emails onto whomever is in charge of the fair.

[quote="seinfeld"]NIST offered us jobs but we accepted elsewhere. We don't have 6 years of IB, only 3 and that was 3 years ago. I guess teaching couples and perfect matching to their positions available make a big difference.[/quote]

Good for you. I'm surprised that NIST hires uncertified teachers.

[quote="LondonChick"]And yes, let's keep each other in the loop regarding ESF. We might hear something next week, who knows...[/quote]

Yes, ESF will usually let you know within a week or so whether you made the shorlist to be interviewed (and then will have interviews done with 2 weeks of that).

[quote="grantw"]I am looking to hear from anyone about the English Schools Foundation in Hong Kong. In particular the King George V school that is part of their organisation. What are they like? There are no reviews of this organisation so maybe no news is good news?[/quote]

No personal experience of working from for ESF or that school. Based on interviewing with ESF and talking with teachers and parents familiar wih ESF schools they appear a class act and are definitely worth pursuing.

Hi. I attended the BKK Fair a few years ago and while some schools were actively hiring, many others just seemed to be window shopping and cherry picking out the really strong couples (where one or both were in high need secondary areas).

So, while some jobs/schools you are interested in may get filled, others will undoubtedly appear at the last minute (some schools have not even reached the deadline for current teachers to commit for next year yet).

Good luck! The world is waiting for you.

Hi. Try Florida. It's been a few years, but I originally recieved my 3 year temporary certificate and taught in the state only two years before moving overseas. I was able to convert my temporary into a 5 year professional from Egpyt.

I rcan now renew my 5 year just by meeting the professional development requirements (6 college credit hours). Also, you can take subject area tests to add on many certifications.

Hi Maja:

I'm not a counselor but have worked with many overseas and a friend who is a counselor just went through the hiring process.

There are quite a few jobs out there. A while ago there were like 15 schools listed on Search Associates looking for counselors. Since the positions are limited, you really do need to join Search or a similar organization to get access to the jobs as they get posted.

As for what a counselor does overseas that might be different, I'm sure some will chime in. From what I have seen there is not real answer for that. Many schools will offer a very similar experience. Some schools may have counselors doing learning support or behavioral intervention/consultation. At other smaller schools you may take on some Admin. duties or even have to cover classes. Many counselors at schools will also be involved in college application help, administering exams etc.

If you have certain expectations or areas/roles that you have a great interest in (or wish to avoid) you would just need to do your research and get an accurate job description from the potential school.

No problem. I do think that as SPED teachers from the US we have an advantage with ESF over subject specific general education teachers. Everyone knows we're all a bit different anyway.

ELA certification certainly could not hurt. On the other hand, last time I checked on Search, there were like 157 schools looking for English (as in ELA) teachers, so I think you will be fine sticking with your strongest area of certification and experience.

[quote="mbynum"]Thank you so much for this infor...It supports what I was feeling about the place. I have emailed them with the question and have had no response....that says a lot in itself...[/quote]

I am from the US and my experience has been different. I have twice interviewed with ESF over the last 3 years for SPED positions and have been shortlisted for interviews and offered jobs twice.

The first time I didn't take the job as my wife was not offered a position and I was unsure of the financial implications (big mistake).

The second time was this past year and by the time the offer came I had already accepted my current position. The salary quoted would have been enough for my family of 3 to do quite well.

The bottom line is that it doesn't cost anything but an hour of your life to fill out their online application (positions close on Jan. 16) and see what happens. ESF runs many schools and has an excellent reputation (and HK is supposed to be a fascinating place to live). I'm sure I'll be applying again at some point in the future.

Are you signed up with Search? There have been some interesting SLP postings recently.

You may as well apply for SPED positions. Some schools may demand certification in that field, but I would say that many would be willing to look past it, given your certification in Elem., your SL and your experience. There are also like 50+ SPED jobs posted in Search right now (including SPED and SLP at some really top schools). If they want you as a couple then they will make it work.

Good luck!

[quote="missy"]I was just wondering....

How many teachers teach overseas just because they like teaching
or do they also do it because they like to travel and experience new cultures ?

I know I got into teaching only because I was interested in being able to be overseas and travel. I wonder if that makes me a poor teacher ?
I hope not !![/quote]

You may be a poor teacher, but I don't think it would have any connection to why you became one in the first place. I too got into teaching with the intention of teaching a few years in the states and then going overseas. Luckily for me I realized very quickly (I was still a TA actually) that I loved it and knew I had found the perfect career. The fact that I later loved living and teaching overseas was just the icing on the cake.

Life is good!

[quote="kfssbjj"]Of course owners put the money into their own pockets. Da...what a concept...Their country, their business. Their right to do whatever they want to do.

Things are different outside the US. Business is business. All the complaining in the world won't stop things.

The complaining I read here is really sad and funny at the same time. I work for owners who are real idiots. But what to do? I go with the flow, I don't create the flow.

As it is, most teachers only stay at a school for a couple of years and move on. Why would an owner ever want to consider what a visitor has to say about how they run their business?[/quote]

Gee kssbtt, how about the students and their families that pay good money and hope their children get a decent education? It's not about making a profit, it's about being honest with your employees and the families that fund the school. How about if the owner buys one less Mercedes or doesn't spring for a boobjob for yet another mistress and instead buys some text books or even paper.

I agree that I hope you are winding people up and can't possibly be this naive and self-absorbed. What kind of professional teacher wouldn't want to be able to provide his students with a meaningful education? Or would caring about that be too much against the flow for you? Put your backpack on and go visit 45 more countries.