I am a male with an EY/Primary degree. I definitely think it has its pros and cons.

+ Schools want diverse staff, whether that be gender, experience etc.
+ There are fewer males so if they do want to add more/replace current male teachers we have a smaller pool and have a greater chance of getting our resumes looked at.
*** As mentioned before I do not believe (decent) schools will hire just because of my gender, although if I have equal qualifications/philosophy as a female, I may have a better chance (especially if M/F is 20/80~)
+I have had an interview at a top tier 2 who flat out said we are super excited to have a male EY teacher application who has a good resume (so maybe a lot come through but with sub standard resumes...) She mentioned how few come along that she would want to interview (again based on their CV's). I was offered the position the next day.
+We put out a yearly survey where families can attempt to request a certain teacher, my name always has the most sign-ups. I think I am a great teacher, but know the other teachers in my grade level are fantastic as well. I believe it is because I am a male. Most don't give a reason but several families each year say how happy they are for their kids to have a male EY/Primary teacher.
- My primary school back home had two primary teachers and they were also highly requested.
+ A principal told me I will get more interviews than another teacher who had a similar resume because I am a male, and in more of a demand.
+Talking to friends and asking them about their primary years, almost everyone remembers who their male primary teacher was, as it was a diverse experience.
+We talk about having women doctors in books, and male nurses etc. Having male EY/Primary teachers does that same thing but in the real world, and helps to show kids it doesn't matter what gender you are. All careers are available to everyone.

-I have had reputable schools in Asia flat out tell me no to a position because I am a male, and that parents get scared of the idea, or that it is not common for males to teach those grades so, "sorry we would love to have you, but due to our parental expectations blah blah"


Overall I think it is totally based on a school to school basis and what the parents and admin want. Although I do believe it does put myself one step above or at the very least sets me apart from the rest of the "average" female applicant pile.

I'm in the same boat. Got a dream job and so excited for my new school in BKK. I was a little hesitant of the pollution before as we have younger kids. Professionally it's a total win and amazing for my career and future, and also gives us the chance to have my wife stay at home and be financially stable. But hoping the pollution on the little ones doesn't take over all of those wins. It seems as long as you have an air purifier inside its not bad, and it's mostly bad in the beginning of the year and lightens up once it starts to rain as well. I know it will be different than where we are now, wish we could message each other privately on here haha!

Better late than never, but another fair review!

Before hand
-Had about 7-8 emails from schools, but only 1 or 2 with decent packages worth looking at or that weren't a step down.
-I emailed all hopefuls a few weeks and a week before as well. Only one got back to me.
-This was my "be picky" year, I didn't need to leave by wanted to see what my options were and if I could "step up" into a bigger/better school.

Day before
Arrived late the night before, too nervous to sleep much anyway. Stayed real close to avoid the high fees and to make sure I got out and about.

Day 1 - Thursday
-Woke up and headed to the hotel
-Submitting resumes. I was focused on 2-3 countries and about 8 schools. This did take longer than expected, so do get there on time. Or the night before if possible (not sure when it opens).
-I enjoyed this time as it was also a great time to met new people.
-I would use the yellow slips vs my own as I feel they are busy and having it all be the same helps them find info faster, as they just have the 1 hour while we are at orientation, depending on if they pick up things throughout the morning.
- Definitely keep moving around the room for new posters, some were not posted until the last 30 minutes.
- They had some free coffee!
- I checked my mailboxes - 2 requests but not areas I was interested in, and one from my dream school!!!

Orientation - Overall nothing new but good to know the layout.

Interview sign up
-I was expecting this to be much crazier than expected, do not rush, you really do have PLENTY of time. A few schools had longer lines but did move pretty quick.
-My top 4 schools all kept my resume and had it on the table which felt good
-Got 2 more interviews by giving my resume at the table
- 2-3 I stopped by just to see, and they all said no. So things worked on in my favor.
+Print plenty of resumes I have 8 or so before and most took a second copy, although not sure why.
-I also had cover letters for my top schools, not sure if it helped but were ready anywhere for when I applied online.
-My 1-2 min into was much shorter in the beginning as I was excited/wanted to get first dibs which didn't make a difference, plus they kept my resume anyway so were there to mostly just schedule and interview.
- I got to cut the line at my dream school which had a big line which was great as they gave me an interview request.

Lunch
Tons of food that was all quite good, a mix of everything. I got to meet a few people which was nice and to hear some opinions about some other schools.

After lunch
I was free so went up to the lounge to meet some new people and hang out while hearing about other travels. Then went home and relaxed.


Day 2 - Friday
-Had all initial interviews today, besides one the next day.
-All went really well and felt more like conversations than interviews.
-Dream school interview went well and felt like we made a good connection. -They then emailed later in the day for an interview the next day.
-One told me I was shortlisted but had to talk with admin.
-One told me I was also shortlisted and would arrange a Skype when they get back.
-Others just said thank you, and would let you know.

Presentations
-They were nice, nothing too new if you did your research. It's great to get a sense of the admin though and if they seem to actually know what they are doing, as well as what it may be like to work for them.
-Also made me realize they are people just like us and not as intimidating as I sometimes make it out to be.
-I thought they would be way busier, they had between 10-25/30 people. They rush the schools in and out, but you have some time before or after to chat with them, but more hey how's it going than to promote yourself.

Dinner
Had a nice dinner outside to reflect and take it all in. I had two interviews the next day.

Day 3 - Saturday
Had my dream school interview but this time with different staff and felt great.
Had another interview at a school who wouldn't know for 2 more weeks (but my current school won't wait that long as they are on their way to S.A. London.) She loved me and wished it would have been able to work out, so that was a nice confidence boost.
-Ended the day getting a call back and offered my dream job!!! Was a reach and can't believe it is now a reality!!!

Dinner
Went out to celebrate with a mate I had met along the way, finally got to kick back and try some street food that took so much restraint from the previous days.

Day 4 - Sunday
I had to leave mid day, I was nervous I would miss out but seemed 80-90% of the fair is done by Saturday evening. So don't worry if you have to miss Sunday.

Tips for candidates
-Check the dates on the table printout for the interview sign up sheet, many people got dates mixed up.
-Write in the presentations ahead of time, then you can organize your interviews around those so you don't miss them. I had to miss 2 presentations.
-Talk to the advisors, but again they can't really say anything bad about certain schools, but was nice to just let out your feelings to get everything straight in your head about what you want.
-It seems most schools do one interview which really surprised me, I guess some have some follow ups via skype after though.

-As mentioned before, don't feel too intimidated by tier 1 schools. I used to think all those teachers just get passed around. Although most people I met who got jobs at such schools were able to take a step up.

++The biggest take away is that there is no method to the madness. I scored a huge win from a great school, but got rejected from my lowest picks. It is all about what they are looking for, timing, or maybe just the way you walk and talk. Totally give every school a shot even if you think it may be out of reach.

tips for SA.
- Ive been to some PD where they set up meeting times for people interested in different topics/age levels etc. Felt like that would have been helpful.
- I was able to meet some really nice people and passed out my business card, although wish I would have added more via Facebook or Linkedin.

PsyGuy wrote:
> You are not required to contribute to SS while working in IE, unless your
> IS is a US company. Typically the way that works is the IS has a charity or
> organization incorporated in the US, and you are an employee of that
> charity or organization (typically a non-profit), in which case the IS is
> required as all US organizations and companies to make payroll deductions
> and contributions for SS.
> You can choose to classify yourself as self employed and you can choose to
> make the 15% self employed contributions (if you want to accrue work
> credits for SS). If you do this you can choose what salary to report and
> how much the 15% is.
>
> Higher tier ISs will provide some form of retirement scheme and some may
> provide access to a CPF benefit. Its not relevant though to your main
> inquiry, you dont have to pay SS whether you have a CPF benefit or not.


So if I choose to take a break from SS payments how would I classify (not self employed) my returns.
Hope that isn't to broad of a question. My uncle helps me with my taxes and informed me I must pay... any insight would be super appreciated.

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?

Yea it seems to be based off if you contribute to your local pension program or if they have a SS agreement. https://www.ssa.gov/international/agree ... rview.html

I've been checking for weeks and almost always find that I have to pay if working in SG but then a lot of people don't pay. I am hoping to get some more concrete answers, as that 15% is a huge make or break!

Also greetings from Japan as well!

I am American and looking into positions in Singapore and Thailand.
I have asked around on some tax forums and getting 50/50 responses for if I am still required to contribute to American Social Security while working abroad.
I am currently in Japan and contribute to their pension so I am exempt.
My goal is Singapore and would not be paying into their pension system, so to my understanding I must pay 15%~ when filing my taxes. Although asking others online it seems many somehow get around this somehow.
I am now expanding my search to Thailand as well and looking for info about SS payments if I take a position there.

Having to make those 15%~ payments really takes a bit out of an offer...
Any Americans living in these countries who can share their experience is greatly appreciated!

Please feel free to use this post to ask similar questions about other countries as well.
TIA

wrldtrvlr123 wrote:
> Hi. I have often asked for feedback. I have gotten around a 40% response
> rate to the question. Responses that seemed well thought out, personalized
> to my situation and genuinely helpful were somewhat less than that.
>
> I think many people feel it isn't worth the time to respond to someone they
> aren't hiring and others just find it difficult to reflect and offer
> specific feedback beyond the other person had more/more relevant experience
> and/or was a better fit (and to be fair, that is the reality in many
> cases).

How did you word it? Any tips etc?

I have gotten a few interviews but seem to be getting beat by people with more experience.
The main thing/question is... I would like to ask for some feedback on my interview, what I did well and areas I need to improve. Has anyone written back asking feedback before?

Any idea how room explain that in my CV the reasons I've left my school.
It was an unsafe work environment at one and now victim of incredibly terrible verbal abuse daily. As well as telling future employees false information? The maybe offer would be a step up and ok for 3 years or so but hoping to get into a better one and also into a primary spot in 2/3 years.
The only reasons I could get two interviews now is I have a connection at those schools.

Hey!

So I am in my 4th year teaching and at my 3rd school kinder 1 year, 1 year kinder, 2 years kinder. The first school was alright but wanted to travel more. So moved to a new country and was in a terribly run kindergarten, children were not safe... so I left. Now at my current school for the 2nd year and the one good thing is that it is trying to get IB PYP, but not sure we will pass. Negatives include super high teacher turnover, one professional development opportunity every 2 years (nothing at all in between, we can pay but tough getting the time off or even updated on whats happening, plus terrible salary so its hard to afford). Also my head of administration has anger management issues and I am their stress release... as I get ripped apart by yelling and other terms of verbal abuse... As well as the worst paid school in the city. As well as finding out that my admin is giving false and negative references, which is hard to get around when schools ask for a reference from my current admin.
I missed out on a better school for next year. But two of the better schools (potential dream schools) have met with me loved me and hope something works out for them next year, although they are good schools and don't have much turnover.Now I may have an offer with another school that is 600-1000$ more a month but is another small kindergaten. But we share similar philosophies.
Questions is is it worth having 4 schools with 5 years experience? Should I stay in my completely miserable, depressing environment for the sake of keeping my resume more consistent? Any advice would be super helpful.