Search found 62 matches

by Rob
Sat Dec 30, 2023 12:02 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Teaching in the US public school system
Replies: 4
Views: 19519

Re: Teaching in the US public school system

Hi Bears 123,
I would try to persevere for the whole school year. but let them know now that you will not be returning. I really think that as a math teacher you should have no problem finding openings. I'm a retired teacher in Washington state, but taught many years overseas. I taught a little in Washington the last few years and know that qualified math teachers are difficult to find.

I have two acquaintances in Bellingham that found teaching positions in Vancouver, Canada. Many of their students are Asian, and perhaps you would find that more suitable. Vancouver has a teacher shortage and hire qualified teachers from the States.

You're still a young teacher and have many good teaching years ahead of you.

Rob
by Rob
Wed May 18, 2022 9:14 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Healthcare in Retirement
Replies: 14
Views: 36289

Re: Healthcare in Retirement

Just be prepared to change your mind many times. I was determined to retire overseas, but ended up retiring in the States. I spend a lot of time traveling (before Covid), but it's good for me to be in my own country after experiencing overseas for nearly 40 years.

You might sat health care in other countries is better than the US. Maybe it is, but for about $350/month I am completely covered medically (even dental). I feel secure with that. That's my own personal opinion.
by Rob
Mon May 16, 2022 10:07 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Healthcare in Retirement
Replies: 14
Views: 36289

Re: Healthcare in Retirement

I taught overseas for close to 35 years and the rest in the States. I retired in the States in 2014 when I reached 66 (now 74). The last couple overseas schools I taught in contributed to SS and Medicare. That helped, as I qualified for Medicare. You might consider choosing schools that do that. There are a number of good overseas schools that seem to be able to contribute to SS. I did not appreciate that until I was close to retirement. Thinking about this now is good planning.

Rob
by Rob
Mon Jan 03, 2022 3:55 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Benefits Package for Singapore
Replies: 3
Views: 6256

Re: Benefits Package for Singapore

Hi-
I lived there for 25 years but left a few years ago. I still contribute to a Singapore forum that has a lot of expats with real knowledge of Singapore. If you were to pose that same question there, particularly about the salary and housing allowance, you will get candid but kind answers.

Here is the forum: https://forum.singaporeexpats.com/
by Rob
Mon Oct 19, 2020 11:46 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: If not in your home country, then where do you plan to retire?
Replies: 18
Views: 20427

Re: If not in your home country, then where do you plan to retire?

I was overseas for 37 years or so as a teacher in international schools, like most of you. I retired in the States in the PNW about 7 years ago. I have views of the mountains and sea, and the setting is in a small town near Canada. I like it, but like some of you, I see a deterioration of democracy as I know it. As one of you mentioned, the US is moving toward authoritarianism, and that stresses a lot of us out. Maybe I'll feel better after the election if Biden wins, but not sure. In the meantime I have really researched places that I might want to retire, and zeroing in on three or so.

After spending 25 years in Singapore, I went through the process of retiring in Malaysia with the MM2H visa, only to give it up to retire in the States. The problem with MM2H is the requirements are apt to change, and when you renew every 5 years, it's always possible that you may need to meet those new requirements. The program is now in limbo, because the gov't is revamping the program, and who knows what that will be. Also, Malaysia is not a country for someone like myself who loves dogs, and I'm sure my Lab would not so well there.

At 73 years age, I wonder if it's too late to make a change like this, but I'm still going to pursue it. There are a couple countries that allow you to apply for citizenship after no more than 5 years, and those countries are Portugal and Panama. Portugal is very attractive to me, and the cost of living is lower than the rest of Europe (except Bulgaria), and it's ranked #1 or #2 by several retirement magazines. The retirement visa (D7) is pretty straightforward, and is initially accomplished from your home country through the nearest council, or in the country you are currently in. Apparently you qualify for the national healthcare in Europe rather quickly, and that is appealing for me. If you choose Thailand or Vietnam, healthcare will be very expensive or impossible for anyone over 65. Vietnam has no retirement visa, and so you need to leave the country every few months and return and have your passport stamped again. No thank you.

I am also investigating Panama. While initially loving it, the cost of living is high, and rentals are even more than many parts of the States. Your reason for retiring there needs to be more than wanting to have a low cost of living. The path to a retirement visa is done through a lawyer that you hire in Panama, and the lawyer directs you though the process. Like Portugal, it's very straightforward and leads to citizenship.

I spend about a month each year in Mexico, either in Baja or Lake Chapala. I love it, and that is also a possibility, especially if I have access to the States for any possible medical care. I still am attracted more to Portugal.

One final option I am considering is Uruguay. You get the retirement visa after you land in the country and live there. Uruguay is a little known retirement that has a retirement option that is excellent. Cost of living is low, and the retirees by and larger love it there.

With the pandemic, travel to these countries is hard now, and so I'll wait until after we have a vaccine before firming up my decision.

Stay safe.
by Rob
Mon Jun 22, 2020 11:00 am
Forum: Forum 2. Ask Recruiting Questions, Share Information. What's on Your Mind?
Topic: Salary Comparisons for Singapore international schools
Replies: 9
Views: 38643

Re: Salary Comparisons for Singapore international schools

Hi-
Your 25 years in Singapore means that you are close to retirement, probably have a good chunk of retirement in your CPF, and you can afford the risk of getting into the international school circuit. I think with all your IB experience, you'd be an asset. It does sort of depend on what you teach though.

I speak from having spent 25 years in Singapore myself, mostly as a PR. I was a teacher in an international school there, and even after retiring in my 60's, I still called Singapore "home", but accepted teaching contracts in 3 other international schools in other countries. It was a great experience traveling back and forth. One of my schools I taught in was in Hanoi, and I would fly back to Singapore every weekend on either Jetstar or Tiger Air. I miss that.

You're making about US$5,500 without the housing. I think you'd most certainly make that or more PLUS the housing in other international schools. Again, you are at the point in your teaching career where you can probably afford to take a risk.

Best of luck.
by Rob
Sat Feb 01, 2020 11:27 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Using Housing Allowance to Purchase Property
Replies: 9
Views: 18920

Re: Using Housing Allowance to Purchase Property

Up until the late 1980's and early 1990's, the school allowed the housing allowance to be used for mortgages at the Singapore American School. The Board got rid of that option for two reasons. First, if the teacher was fired or left the country, the school would be responsible for the mortgage, and that's not what the school is in business for. Second, I think there was a little jealousy that the teacher could actually do that, and the members of the board could not. Nevertheless, a couple of the teachers easily became millionaires doing just that, before it was terminated.

I think you should be upfront with the school with your intentions.
by Rob
Fri Feb 15, 2019 11:06 am
Forum: Forum 2. Ask Recruiting Questions, Share Information. What's on Your Mind?
Topic: Where was your first IS job?
Replies: 16
Views: 37064

Re: Where was your first IS job?

Couldn't resist responding to this.

After being discharged from the Air Force in 1973 after 4 years, I hopped on a flight and flew back to Vietnam where I was stationed for almost 4 years. I landed in Saigon, bought a motorcycle and got my first job in an international school teaching English Literature, although I was a physics/chemistry major. I loved it! You're young and feel like you're invulnerable, and I think this was the first time I understood Shakespeare (after teaching it). I certainly knew nothing about it in high school!

I had to be evacuated a week before Saigon was "liberated" , but that experience led me to live and teach in 12 other countries. This time, though, I was teaching in the field I knew.

Rob
by Rob
Wed Jan 02, 2019 10:07 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: American Social Security contributions in SG/Thai?
Replies: 13
Views: 15583

Re: American Social Security contributions in SG/Thai?

falloutmike wrote:
> Rob wrote:
> > Hi-
> > I was in Singapore for 25 years and never paid into SS. No american
> > teachers that I know in Singapore have either. We hadno pension program at
> > the school, and so the teachers usually need to create their own.
> >
> > The only schools I taught in where you contributed to social security were
> > schools in Jordan and Egypt.
> >
> > Rob
>
>
> Do you know if a CPF relief fund is commonly added to SG salaries?

There are a number of international schools in Singapore. After I retired from one of them after quite a few year, I subbed at 4 or 5 others for a couple years after that. They all have different policies concerning the CPF relief you referred to. Once or twice a year you got a bonus in December, but that might have changed in the few years since I left. Also, the relief you get is housing in really nice condos or townhouses, which anyone contributing to CPF can't get.

Back in the 80's and 90's, everyone contributed to CPF, even if you were on a employment pass. Since I was a PR, which means very little in Singapore regarding "rights", it did force the schools to continue to pay into CPF which was very nice.

Rob
by Rob
Thu Dec 27, 2018 10:26 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: American Social Security contributions in SG/Thai?
Replies: 13
Views: 15583

Re: American Social Security contributions in SG/Thai?

Hi-
I was in Singapore for 25 years and never paid into SS. No american teachers that I know in Singapore have either. We hadno pension program at the school, and so the teachers usually need to create their own.

The only schools I taught in where you contributed to social security were schools in Jordan and Egypt.

Rob
by Rob
Wed Mar 07, 2018 11:18 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Moving back to North America?
Replies: 5
Views: 7832

Re: Moving back to North America?

If you did move back to North America, and let's say your experience with admin in NA is not what you thought it would be. You could still return overseas with your family. That option is always there. However, you might always wonder if you made the wrong choice if you stay overseas.

After living and teaching in Singapore for 24 years (my last overseas teaching post), I thought I'd have a rough time adjusting to North America, but living near Vancouver and being such an international city, I sometimes forget I'm in North America. I'm not sure if you would have that same experience though. At any rate, it's something that is certainly not going to destroy your career.

God luck in your choice.
by Rob
Wed Nov 01, 2017 10:57 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Prospective New Teacher. Expectations & Advice
Replies: 37
Views: 47277

Re: Prospective New Teacher. Expectations & Advice

I have a few random suggestions. I'm at the opposite end of the teaching experience and just returned to the States 3 years ago from SE Asia. I'm 71. Been gone for 40+ years.

One of the places I taught in was Vietnam. If you like Vietnam, then maybe you should do some sub work at the international schools there, particularly SSIS, which I really loved a few years ago. I got the job at SSIS from TIE. Schools in Asia love that you are already there, and so it's easy to make the transition.

I think the idea of emailing individual schools is a waste of time unless you know there is a vacancy. I got my last three teaching assignments from TIE- in Egypt, Jordan and Vietnam. I've always been a fan of that website.

One last tidbit of advice is make sure you start saving for retirement now. I'm glad to see a lot of people here talk about that. My generation overseas did not, and so we had teachers living a very good existence overseas, but not being able to retire. Procrastination seemed to be the norm. I think that has changed now.

Enjoy Saigon. I loved it there, both as a teacher is 1975 upon being evacuated, and just a few years ago. However, if you can take the pollution and traffic, all the power to you.
by Rob
Mon Jul 24, 2017 9:23 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: TESOL and Retirement Overseas
Replies: 12
Views: 24556

Re: TESOL and Retirement Overseas

I taught at an excellent school in Singapore until the age of 63, and then I retired there teaching ESL and subbing at a lot of international schools. For me it was fun, but there came a point that medical insurance cost too much or was difficult to get if you were over 65. Also, as much as the politics in the US is so destructive, I found that being overseas was not really an escape from it.

I original plan was to remain overseas as a retiree, but because of health care and the desire to be at my true home led me back at the age of 67. We're all different, but that was the situation for me. Also, the traveling I can do from the US is perhaps just as much as I would do from Singapore, although I tend more to stay in this part of the world now.

Rob
by Rob
Sun Feb 19, 2017 12:03 pm
Forum: Forum 2. Ask Recruiting Questions, Share Information. What's on Your Mind?
Topic: Teaching in Singapore
Replies: 17
Views: 39893

Re: Teaching in Singapore

You will not get an increase in salary to offset the lack in benefits if you are a local hire. You simply get the salary as shown on the salary scale for the number of years. Don't expect to find salary schedules on-line in Singapore. You are shown the salary schedule only while being interviewed.

As for notification about whether you are subbing or not, often it is the night before or on the morning a sub is needed. Also, if a teacher knows he/she will be absent, then you have more advanced notice.

In the schools I was a relief teacher at, the teacher always had lesson plans prepared. You really do have to stick with them as much as possible.

Being a substitute teacher can certainly lead to being hired as a full time teacher. I've seen that happen a few times.

Rob
by Rob
Sat Feb 18, 2017 12:20 pm
Forum: Forum 2. Ask Recruiting Questions, Share Information. What's on Your Mind?
Topic: Teaching in Singapore
Replies: 17
Views: 39893

Re: Teaching in Singapore

Hi-
I spent 25 years there, and the last year I was there as a relief teacher before leaving for other countries. My situation was unique, but in your case, I think your best bet is to wait until you arrive in Singapore. Visit the best schools (Singapore American School and United World College), and state that you want to be a relief teacher. They always need relief teachers, and will arrange the employment pass or work permit. I believe you would be limited to only being a relief teacher at one or two schools using the permit, but you will be kept busy. The compensation at SAS was approximately S$180-200/day for being a relief teacher.

You could certainly apply for a position from where you are now, but most likely you would be treated as a local hire, since your husband has accepted a position there already. Also, schools want to feel comfortable hiring someone who is not compelled to break a contract due to a spouse's relocation, and that's why most schools would be hesitant hiring you full time.

There are also some local schools that cater to international primary/pre-school students. Lorna Whiston School is one of them. You might do a little research on them.

I hope you enjoy your time there.

Rob