Hello Everyone,

The school I accepted a post at only offers local coverage.... what can I do to get a supplementary health insurance plan that would cover me while back in the US during long breaks and summer vacation?? Is there any kind of international teaching association group plan that individuals can buy into??

@schoolcounselor: May I ask what part of Mexico you just accepted a job in? I am in negotiations right now and struggling with the low package, yet weighing all the very positive things about the school and people I have spoken with. I need to be able to pay down debt and I just am afraid I won't be able to do much paying of anything on this offer.

Any updated info on this school? ISR reviews are quite old (only one from 2012 but it doesn't sound like a teacher).

For all of you that understand the "tier" system... where would you say this school falls and why?

Thanks!!

LOL Newchapter!!! Well, you certainly have had some great options so far so I am sure you will be fine. With all the craziness where i currently work I am about ready to go to Whole Foods where I can be surrounded by good food and happy people!!

Just tonight I got a second Skype interview request to talk with same person as the first one and the head of school.... we'll see!! Sounds like a place I would love professionally.

Just curious... why did you turn down the offer given during the Skype? Are you elementary or secondary?

I am new to this too but my approach was a bit different than newchapter. I did the same type of introduction but prior to writing did a fairly thorough tour of the school website and tried to find something I could connect with in regards to my experiences, the position, and my desires. It is very time consuming for sure!! But I did get two Skype interviews and a couple of acknowledgments asking for additional information.

Like Newchapter, I definitely did not have time to do the above and follow the schools directions for uploading to their own website... everything needed to know about me to consider reaching out for further conversation is covered in the Search files... I think anyway. But I did make a concerted effort to make a more personal connection in the interest letters I sent, especially because it is my first time, I am not in a high needs area, and I do not have IB experience.

Wow Briz and Chalupa... you have had quite the experience! Thanks so much for sharing how you balanced all the decisions. Shadowjack suggested that I read your post Chalupa, as I am feeling a bit anxious about getting to Search fair at end of month for the first time, like you. Sent probably around 30 letters as well, two Skype interviews and just a couple of follow up acknowledgments asking for additional information. Nothing to set up a face to face at the fair yet though.

Briz, even a counter offer after expressing concerns and declining!! Is that typical?? Are you in a high needs area?

Advice- if an offer is made but the financial package is not good for what one needs do you try to negotiate?? How best to handle that??

Congratulations to you both.. and others who have secured positions thus far. I find myself on this site a few times a day now!!

Thanks Newchapter and Hairsonfire!! Appreciate all the positive vibes and definitely will keep that at the forefront of my mind as I enter these waters....

It is a rollercoaster of emotions tho! Just when you think you may have hit on to something good and possible the communication goes dead!!

Ughh.. I didn't realize that Cambridge was the last of the Search fairs... I guess it really doesn't matter because I would not have been able to afford to travel to either of the earlier ones. Ouch Bellarex!! $1000.00 to go to Cambridge... I suppose if I do get into an international gig I will find myself in the same position of having the expense to get to one of the earlier fairs in a couple of years. Luckily, Cambridge is very close to home for me and since this is the first time around i haven't really lost anything.... except that I was really hoping to get this new direction of my life going!!

Still thinking positive thoughts.... best to all you too!!

Does Search update the position openings in "real time" .. or is it up to the schools to update their online agency listings?? Trying to get a sense of what is already taken and how up to date the Search site is.

Wondering the same thing... I actually submitted a post about this but I don't see it.

My thoughts exactly Newchapter! Does anyone know how many fairs there are in Jan. before the Cambridge Search fair?? My assumption is that many many jobs will be taken in Bangkok and others before the end of this month. It seems like it is a first come first served operation... if you are not at the first fair of the recruiting season an opening you had been hoping to interview for can likely be gone.

I had two good Skype interviews as well (well at least I thought so!! :) ) but concerned about getting interviews in Cambridge or having those positions filled before even getting the chance....

Have to keep telling myself to have Newchapter's attitude!!

Thanks Shadowjak... that explanation was very helpful..... isn't that just good teaching though!! :)

Your posts on this forum have been helped me understand this entire process a bit more and I appreciate the detail and care you put into responses.

Do you have any insights about Colegio Franklin Delano Roosevelt in Lima? The ISR reviews are mixed and in other posts I have seen it referred to as one of the upper tier schools (although, I am still trying to grasp this whole "tier" thing).

My lack of IB, PYP, MYP experience, plus being a newbie not in a high need area makes this process a bit challenging. I have read different perspectives about how the IB experience increases chances of a job, and others say that if a school is really interested they will put you through the training......

What do you think?

Anybody have insights on ISR in Monterry Mexico? School insights, quality of living, ability to save money.... I have a Skype interview next week! Got two hits today... what a shift in the winds!!

Also, I was contacted by another school that wants to know about my IB PYP experience but I do not have any IB experience! How does one suggest handling that deficit in these international circuits. I certainly welcome the opportunity to be trained and get certified in IB but not sure the best approach to handling my inexperience so that it doesn't prohibit my chances of getting an interview.

I really appreciate reading all the comforting thoughts about just purging ahead and believing in ourselves as competent educators.... as a newbie it is quite nerve wracking. Although I am not at risk of not having a job if I don't get anything at the Jan. fair so I think that probably puts my view of it all in a different light.

Thanks to all the experienced teachers who share encouragement, advice, and perspective!! Keep it coming...

I was wondering the same thing as well and thinking about sending some direct emails to Principals or HR head after the new year just indicating that I had submitted a letter of interest through the Search mail feature....

I have sent probably 25 emails through Search and got responses from around 4.. one turned into a Skype interview and I just received a request for another Skype interview today because the school will not be at the Jan. fair in Cambridge.

Thoughts anyone.... I am a newbie so not sure if emailing principals and/or others directly is considered a negative if that is not what the school requested....

I have learned quite a bit on this forum! It has been great to read posts and share questions as I navigate this unfamiliar and somewhat anxiety producing territory!!!

Anyone have insights about this school.... the reviews are mixed on ISR. Info about living in Zambia appreciated as well... it appears there is not much to do and travel is expensive according to the reviews.

I am a first timer and had one interview/chat/screening interview.. not exactly sure what to call it. It was with the school founder/director and there was mention of speaking again before the fair. We'll see....

I have also sent at least 20 email letters of interest and I am registered with Search. Only got a response from a couple of them.

It is nerve wracking isn't it!! Especially being a newbie and not knowing what is typical