I have 8 years of teaching experience (7 Senior Education Specialist at a local zoo + 1 year in Singapore) and will be graduating with a masters (student teaching begins in 1 week. woooot!)
I will be embarking on my first overseas placement and have been researching and preparing since May 2009. However, the more I research, the more "confused" I become. I started my search with Europe in mind, but now, I am ready to head almost anywhere. The challenge I am encountering now is, there are so many pros and cons to all these places and in trying to be open-minded, I seem to have "lost" the initial ideas that I had when I started my search.
This long-winded introduction leads to my questions:
I am wondering, from you veterans out there, what were some of the more important things, that I might have overlooked, when it comes to applying and accepting offers from your first school? What were your thought process like? Any advice and tips?
Also, what were some things that you wished you thought about/knew and somethings that you wish you did...
Thanks for being looking back and sharing your reflections :)
Looking Back At Your First Overseas Placement
Reflections
Dear Carbon
I think my biggest shock was finding out that many, many schools out there are not for real. The children, education and all that a true teacher stands for are not part of the deal. Some administrators and even teachers are willing to do anything to earn money at the cost of everything ture educators (or idealists) hold dear. I wish that I had known this and entered the arena with a more realistic idea of what was going on in schools.
Having said that, nothing can ever replace the experiences I have had - the cultures, friends, sights and sounds and some of the children I know I have touched in some way makes it all worth while.
I think my biggest shock was finding out that many, many schools out there are not for real. The children, education and all that a true teacher stands for are not part of the deal. Some administrators and even teachers are willing to do anything to earn money at the cost of everything ture educators (or idealists) hold dear. I wish that I had known this and entered the arena with a more realistic idea of what was going on in schools.
Having said that, nothing can ever replace the experiences I have had - the cultures, friends, sights and sounds and some of the children I know I have touched in some way makes it all worth while.
Thanks for the reply, 10/6. It is certainly disheartening that education can be "exploited" like that overseas. However, I think it also happens here in the US, with some colleges that "hand-out" diplomas.
I will be attending the fair in UNI, and I've checked out most of the schools that are coming. They seem legit and their websites professional (except for a few of them) Being newer at this, I certainly hope I can discern between the not-for-real schools from the ones that I dream of :)
I really liked how you reminded me again that the irreplaceable experiences and the non-quantifiable rewards are some reasons I enjoy this profession. I wish to stay "naive" in my ideals for as long as I can :)
I will be attending the fair in UNI, and I've checked out most of the schools that are coming. They seem legit and their websites professional (except for a few of them) Being newer at this, I certainly hope I can discern between the not-for-real schools from the ones that I dream of :)
I really liked how you reminded me again that the irreplaceable experiences and the non-quantifiable rewards are some reasons I enjoy this profession. I wish to stay "naive" in my ideals for as long as I can :)
My first int'l placement was in Egypt. I still yet have not found the comeraderie that that placement provided.
I was at a terrible school that I am surprised stayed open the 2 years I was there. However, the friendhsips and travelling that I did there created some of the best memories of my life!
It was a great start to int'l teaching. It taught me many essential skills needed for int'l teaching (flexibility, adaptability, willingness to succomb to chaos that I feel is ridiculous but a part of a culture, acceptance of the fact that int'l teaching doesn't meet standards of the US/UK, etc.)
All in all, my first experience "broke me in" and made me a better teacher. I may have worked in a school where education was not the top priority, but I worked somewhere that taught me that I can only do what I am capable of dong with what I have.
I was at a terrible school that I am surprised stayed open the 2 years I was there. However, the friendhsips and travelling that I did there created some of the best memories of my life!
It was a great start to int'l teaching. It taught me many essential skills needed for int'l teaching (flexibility, adaptability, willingness to succomb to chaos that I feel is ridiculous but a part of a culture, acceptance of the fact that int'l teaching doesn't meet standards of the US/UK, etc.)
All in all, my first experience "broke me in" and made me a better teacher. I may have worked in a school where education was not the top priority, but I worked somewhere that taught me that I can only do what I am capable of dong with what I have.
I taught in Asia for many years before getting certified to teach in accredited schools. For that first run, I just went with the first place that would give me a chance. That taught me a bit about Asia and dealing with a vastly different culture.
After getting certified, I didn't want to return to Asia right away, but Europe seems way too much money. If I wanted a socialist high tax lifestyle, I would have just stayed in Canada.
Thus I looked back to Asia and here are some of the things I was looking for:
- a school that was accredited and paid about what I might make as a starting teaching in Canada or a bit more.
That was it. With cash reserves running out and no international school experience, I felt any place that fit my criteria would be gold.
My reasoning was, if the workload was high, or the atmosphere was bad, I could put up with it for 2yrs and move on.
I actually landed a job at a great school.
Make a list of what you desire and go for it. Don't expect to get all of the items on your wish list first time around. Many of the better schools won't touch someone who has no prior international school experience.
After getting certified, I didn't want to return to Asia right away, but Europe seems way too much money. If I wanted a socialist high tax lifestyle, I would have just stayed in Canada.
Thus I looked back to Asia and here are some of the things I was looking for:
- a school that was accredited and paid about what I might make as a starting teaching in Canada or a bit more.
That was it. With cash reserves running out and no international school experience, I felt any place that fit my criteria would be gold.
My reasoning was, if the workload was high, or the atmosphere was bad, I could put up with it for 2yrs and move on.
I actually landed a job at a great school.
Make a list of what you desire and go for it. Don't expect to get all of the items on your wish list first time around. Many of the better schools won't touch someone who has no prior international school experience.
To Carbon
Hello Carbon,
I taught for one year in Austria in 1992. To date, it has been one of the most wonderful and rewarding experiences of my teaching career. If you are looking for the perfect situation, you may be disappointed. You will need to be flexible no matter where you go, just as if you were in an American school. You just need to decide what is of the utmost importance in your decision to go abroad. If you need to save money, you need to go to countries that have a lower standard of living so it won't cost you an arm and a leg to live there. I didn't save a penny in Austria, and came back even about $3,000 in debt, but the whole experience was worth every penny. Also, if you are over 50, there are some countries you probably should just forget about, like Australia and New Zealand. Do you want to get in your retirement years overseas? If so, you need to make sure the school is accredited (really accredited) and check out their retirement benefits. My advice is JUST DO IT! Two years will fly by, and you will have memories to last the rest of your life.
I taught for one year in Austria in 1992. To date, it has been one of the most wonderful and rewarding experiences of my teaching career. If you are looking for the perfect situation, you may be disappointed. You will need to be flexible no matter where you go, just as if you were in an American school. You just need to decide what is of the utmost importance in your decision to go abroad. If you need to save money, you need to go to countries that have a lower standard of living so it won't cost you an arm and a leg to live there. I didn't save a penny in Austria, and came back even about $3,000 in debt, but the whole experience was worth every penny. Also, if you are over 50, there are some countries you probably should just forget about, like Australia and New Zealand. Do you want to get in your retirement years overseas? If so, you need to make sure the school is accredited (really accredited) and check out their retirement benefits. My advice is JUST DO IT! Two years will fly by, and you will have memories to last the rest of your life.
Go for it!
My first international teaching job was at the Banda School in Kenya. A few months ago, [i]The Times Educational Supplement [/i]asked me to write an article about teaching in Kenya and you can still find it on the TES website. The salary was pretty awful, but it was a great experience.
Yes, I would definitely agree with a point made in several previous postings: resources can be few and organization lacking in some international schools.
Yes, I would definitely agree with a point made in several previous postings: resources can be few and organization lacking in some international schools.
I have over 20 years teaching - 12 internationally and 8 in the U.S.
My first was at a small school in China. I think my first impressions were:
1. I was very surprised at how many teachers - even teachers nearing retirement age - gave so little though to their financial futures. Now I know that money is not the sole reason for accepting a position, but it is important.
Directors and heads don't care if you have to work until you are 80 and many get downright insulted that you would not want to work for them because the pay is too low (or they do not offer health insurance or housing, etc.) The fact of the matter is that we all need to look at the entire picture. Earning a decent living is important and if you don't plan for your and your family's futures, nobody else will.
2. I was surprised at how cutthroat the teacher vs. teacher competition was. Everybody, especially the poorest teachers, played the political game, ie. the constant self-publicizing and self-aggrandizement.
My first was at a small school in China. I think my first impressions were:
1. I was very surprised at how many teachers - even teachers nearing retirement age - gave so little though to their financial futures. Now I know that money is not the sole reason for accepting a position, but it is important.
Directors and heads don't care if you have to work until you are 80 and many get downright insulted that you would not want to work for them because the pay is too low (or they do not offer health insurance or housing, etc.) The fact of the matter is that we all need to look at the entire picture. Earning a decent living is important and if you don't plan for your and your family's futures, nobody else will.
2. I was surprised at how cutthroat the teacher vs. teacher competition was. Everybody, especially the poorest teachers, played the political game, ie. the constant self-publicizing and self-aggrandizement.
Yes...
I completely concur with IBRules and RobSq. There are so many Directors out there who try to sell you on the "adventure" and the "lifestyle" of a posting, without taking into consideration the poor benefits offered. And some Directors do seem almost offended when you bring up the obvious poor benefits at a particular school. My favorite comment by Directors (in response to the question of benefits) is when they say that their salaries and benefits are "competitive for the region." That's such a cop-out! That's wonderful that I will make roughly the equivalent of the 2-3 nearest countries, but will that help me retire at 60 instead of 80???? I can't speak for everyone, obviously, but I want to work at a quality school in an interesting place with a salary/benefits package that is competitive with all schools around the world.
Numerous international educators are downright clueless and naive about their financial future and many will have to work until their dying breath as a result. A lot of Directors are the equivalent of "crooked salesman" as they try to lure naive teachers to their school around the world to work for peanuts. That's why International Schools Review is so valuable since it is the only legitimate forum to discuss these issues.
Numerous international educators are downright clueless and naive about their financial future and many will have to work until their dying breath as a result. A lot of Directors are the equivalent of "crooked salesman" as they try to lure naive teachers to their school around the world to work for peanuts. That's why International Schools Review is so valuable since it is the only legitimate forum to discuss these issues.
Remuneration & Retirement
The issue of salaries and being able to save for retirement is a big and complex one. This is made even more difficult when you are trying to save for your retirement and at the same time you have financial commitments back home (e.g. a mortgage or your children's university fees).
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twinkletoes
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2009 7:13 am
Hi Carbon,
My first placement was near Hong Kong. I think the most challenging part of the experience was being a new graduate at 22 and entering a school that was going through teething problems.
My first advice is to seek a school that has been established for some time as this says alot about their educational funding and resources. It also means that a routine has probably been established.
Also, you might want to find out what the turnover rate is and speak to teachers who are already working there. Try to gather the opinion of about 10 teachers.
The other thing I would suggest is to see if you can meet or find out more about the administration. When parents or colleagues become volatile, you want to know that your principal is strong and does his research before pointing fingers or accusing you of wrongdoing.
The salary must be on par with the pay of your home country. I wouldn't settle for anything less than 45,000 canadian a year.
Good Luck hun!
My first placement was near Hong Kong. I think the most challenging part of the experience was being a new graduate at 22 and entering a school that was going through teething problems.
My first advice is to seek a school that has been established for some time as this says alot about their educational funding and resources. It also means that a routine has probably been established.
Also, you might want to find out what the turnover rate is and speak to teachers who are already working there. Try to gather the opinion of about 10 teachers.
The other thing I would suggest is to see if you can meet or find out more about the administration. When parents or colleagues become volatile, you want to know that your principal is strong and does his research before pointing fingers or accusing you of wrongdoing.
The salary must be on par with the pay of your home country. I wouldn't settle for anything less than 45,000 canadian a year.
Good Luck hun!