Search found 60 matches

by peachestotulips
Sun Feb 21, 2021 9:00 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Ghosted
Replies: 23
Views: 45633

Re: Ghosted

I was ghosted by recruiters a few times this 2020-2021 recruiting cycle. It was shitty on their part considering the positive correspondence we had to not even send me a rejection email. These schools actually reached out to me first, and I was incredibly excited because these were schools that have been on my personal list for years.

I've given up on recruiting for this year. I'm reluctantly staying put at my current school even though things are looking dire. At least I have a job, class sizes are very small, and I'm saving money.
by peachestotulips
Fri Jan 01, 2021 11:04 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Name Your School & Comment on Their Response to Covid-19, Anonymously
Replies: 2
Views: 9632

Re: Name Your School & Comment on Their Response to Covid-19, Anonymously

It would be great if everyone could give updates on the current state of their schools. Many of the responses are from this past spring, and since some of us are recruiting it would be appreciated if we could have updates on how schools are now managing this pandemic more than halfway into the academic year.

A lot has certainly changed at my school!
by peachestotulips
Sun Dec 13, 2020 4:22 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: PYP positions
Replies: 4
Views: 4992

Re: PYP positions

I'm actually finding it quite limiting so far as an experienced PYP teacher. I've had many great interviews, applied to 40-50 schools and no bites yet. But there seems to be loads of positions available at the moment at schools that don't offer the IB.
I have been seeing more demand for DP/MYP teachers over PYP teachers which has me considering staying on and getting MYP experience at my current school to make myself more marketable.
by peachestotulips
Mon Oct 12, 2020 4:30 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: chances in Europe
Replies: 15
Views: 16955

Re: chances in Europe

I recently went through the tedious bureaucracy in the Netherlands to get my 5 year residence permit through my spouse. As long as your family meets the income requirements and you have the supporting documents then you should qualify. With the residence permit you can live and work in the Netherlands. You don't have to be married for any specific amount of time. You don't need to have citizenship to teach and live in NL, only the residence permit. You don't need to speak Dutch in order to get the permit. However if you want to renew your permit after 5 years you have to take and pass basic Dutch before it expires.

If you and your wife have bank statements that show you have sustainable or sufficient income based on their required amounts for over a year, or an employment contract that is valid for another 12 months from the time of your application you will also qualify. If you can show proof of income then you can get a permit to live and work in NL.
https://ind.nl/en/Pages/required-amount ... mit_family

If you haven't already, go through the IND site to see exactly what you need for your family's personal situation.
https://ind.nl/en/family/residence-perm ... rtner.aspx

One thing that is required of all Dutch international schools is to have your degree recognized by DUO. Do this when your residence permit is processing because it takes a few months as well. It can also put you at a slight advantage in the event a school needs an immediate hire because of DUOs processing times.
https://duo.nl/particulier/foreign-dipl ... eacher.jsp

Even though ISA, ISH, and UWC have the most popular reputations in NL there are a lot of quality international schools in the country that will never use agencies like Search, ISS, or GRC to recruit. Here is a great start to find other international schools:
https://www.dutchinternationalschools.nl/
Also, there's a large network of vrijescholen in NL which are basically Waldorf/Steiner schools, many which have an international focus.
https://www.vrijescholen.nl/

As a spouse of a Dutch citizen just keep in mind that you'll be a local hire and won't get all the benefits of an overseas hire package. Your family has roots in NL so if this is where you want to be then focus on getting your residence permit first and the rest will fall into place. ❤️
by peachestotulips
Wed Aug 30, 2017 11:57 pm
Forum: Forum 2. Ask Recruiting Questions, Share Information. What's on Your Mind?
Topic: Masters in History or Masters in Educational Leadership?
Replies: 8
Views: 15593

Re: Masters in History or Masters in Educational Leadership?

There are tons of distant education Masters programs available that are cheaper. He should really focus on what he wants from the program he chooses rather than choosing a program because it's inexpensive. I think that some of the options in the US are comparable and take less time. Universities in Australia are also comparable.
by peachestotulips
Sat Jun 10, 2017 8:57 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: How To Be a Good Colleague
Replies: 5
Views: 10412

Re: How To Be a Good Colleague

I just finished reading an article from an American educator named Angela Watson that addresses similar problems and resolutions with teaching colleagues. Even though she isn't an international teacher many of the topics she addresses are relative, and I find it refreshing to peruse her site every now and then for sound advice. You can either read the article or listen on her podcast, particularly points 3-5.
https://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/t ... ms-solved/
by peachestotulips
Mon Jun 05, 2017 9:30 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Qatar right now
Replies: 9
Views: 21469

Qatar right now

Whoa.
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Libya, Yemen and the Maldives have cut diplomatic ties with Qatar.

This move bans citizens from Saudi, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Libya and Yemen from travelling to Qatar, living there or traveling through it. People affected have 14 days to leave.

All the Middle Eastern airlines are cancelling routes and closing their airspace to Qatar.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40155829

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/q ... 50769.html
by peachestotulips
Thu May 18, 2017 6:20 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Fun Question--Decorating your IS Classroom? What to bring?
Replies: 31
Views: 56898

Re: Fun Question--Decorating your IS Classroom? What to brin

As far as pencil sharpeners go this one really is the best pencil sharpener I've ever owned. Its non-electric and fairly quiet. Even though its an old school crank style sharpener it's well worth the investment and I'll never waste money on electrical ones again. I'll buy a replacement blade this summer for it. There are plenty of reviews about it that can be found.
https://www.classroomfriendlysupplies.com/

As far as printing, I don't bring supplies like my printer or my laminator to school. I keep them at home in my office for my own use. I just prefer having my own; its definitely a personal preference. Good quality printers are easy to sell off when it's time to move as well.
Check to see if the country you're in is compatible with the HP Instant Ink program and purchase an eligible HP printer. It's a subscription service for ink that costs as low as $3-10/month. The plans are based on how many pages you print, rather than how much ink cartridges you use. So for that amount you can get unlimited ink (including color), shipping, and cartridge recycling. When you're running low your printer tells HP when to send more ink and they will automatically mail you new cartridges in postage-paid materials. Since its not based on how many cartridges you use you can print as much as you'd like, and the pages you have left will roll over to the next month.

It's really the best deal ever considering the cost of ink cartridges because there's no annual fees or contractual obligations to the program. They're still planning on rolling out the program in different countries but its currently available in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain and France. There are also plenty of reviews about the program from teachers.
https://instantink.hpconnected.com/us/en/r
by peachestotulips
Fri May 12, 2017 5:11 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Fun Question--Decorating your IS Classroom? What to bring?
Replies: 31
Views: 56898

Re: Fun Question--Decorating your IS Classroom? What to brin

The way my classroom is decorated and set-up means a lot to my piece of mind! I've learned that it's worth bringing up the school's policies, the logistics about the classroom's operations, and the availability of the supplies before signing a contract for all the reasons Psyguy stated above. I can't work for a school that won't allow me and my students to make it our own learning space in terms of the decor. I worked for a school like that before and it was so creatively stifling I almost died. I absolutely need to have visual cohesiveness and organization in my room.

I have a tremendous disdain for Comic Sans so my antipathy for this horrid, ugly font led me to start designing my own posters, lesson planner, and anything else I need. As long as I have access to (or can purchase my own once in the country) an inkjet printer I make everything in Powerpoint or Google Slides. Whatever I make from Teachers Pay Teachers sales goes right back into my personal materials and with the vast amount of resources there, I don't need to lug paper decor around from country to country. Creating and prepping the resources is time consuming at the beginning of the year, but I actually like that part. I'm that one teacher who owns a personal laminator. Fight me.

What you bring really depends on which country you're going to. If there is an Ikea within a drivable distance I wouldn't worry too much about storage containers and organizational materials. A few years ago I created an exhaustive 'master checklist' of the basic supplies that I use faithfully and frequently. It's pertinent to research about the stability of a country's postal system, and when I'm in contact with a current employee I will ask about the availability of certain items or reliable online shops similar to Amazon there. If I can't find it there, I bring it.

I hate it when teachers leave behind their old, decrepit materials for me to sort through unless we've previously made arrangements about an item. "Yes I'll take that 1-120s pocket chart! No I don't want that days of the week/months of the year/weather chart you made 5 years ago."

I avoid shopping at those teachers' stores for decorations without knowing the color scheme of the room beforehand. I've learned that hanging fabric on bulletin boards looks better and lasts longer than using butcher paper. Many of the book publishers like Heinemann and Scholastic sell ebook versions of just about everything I need curriculum wise so I've reduced the number of personal teacher books I actually carry.

Until I know how secure my room is I won't leave any of the little things there that I deem valuable. At one school, the TAs stayed an hour later than the teachers and the doors were always open with people drifting in and out. Teachers reported small things missing all the time.
Yeah, nobody is touching my flair pens, Scento markers, and metallic Sharpies. Nobody.
Basic utility items were more valuable than the decor at this school. Things such as a paper trimmer, velcro, duct tape, Goo-Gone, zip ties, batteries, Modge Podge, and/or Command hooks are a few of the items that I must have before I begin to think about decorating. A variety of dice, playing cards, and loose leaf rings are also necessary for me. In one school, staplers and staples were difficult to find anywhere in the city. As soon as my stapler went kaput I was completely out of luck.

My personal classroom library is the biggest piece of 'decor' that I have so a decent shipping allowance is vital for me. Missing books used to bother me, but I've learned that as long as my kids love a book, I don't mind if it somehow ends up permanently in their hands because that's the entire point anyways.

Also, depending on the country keep in mind that materials for activities might not be available if you care about student birthday gifts, family holiday crafts, or even cards. I knew last year that I wanted to use Astrobrights paper for this year's Mother's and Father's Day crafts so I brought them with me.

Definitely bring a hefty supply of those writing utensils that make your teacher heart happy and hoard them at home. But teachers...just say NO to Comic Sans.
by peachestotulips
Wed May 03, 2017 12:45 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Early childhood teacher advice
Replies: 3
Views: 8176

Re: Early childhood teacher advice

It doesn't matter which state a CDA is earned in, as it's a nationally recognized credential for early childhood educators. She is actually credentialed as an Elementary generalist for her state. Outside of student teaching though, she doesn't have any real experience with teaching the primary grades. I think that's her biggest issue.
I'm assuming that she should include the year she earned the CDA on her resume then, and go for EC positions.
by peachestotulips
Tue May 02, 2017 10:02 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Early childhood teacher advice
Replies: 3
Views: 8176

Early childhood teacher advice

I need advice to advise a friend

Here's the background info. A friend of mine has been working as an early childhood teacher in the US since 2002 for regionally and NAEYC accredited preschools and is interested in teaching internationally now. All that time, despite working at notable inquiry, play-based EC schools in her city she has been working under a CDA (Child Development Associate) credential while trying to finish her university education.
In the US, a CDA is more than a sufficient qualification to work with young children up to age 5. She'll FINALLY complete her Bachelor's in Elementary Education next month, and will start her master's program this fall. Before anyone judges the length of her study, she hasn't necessarily had an easy life and had more than a few curveballs while working full time and paying for school out of her own pockets; but she persevered. She has no children.

I'm having a hard time giving her advice on how to market herself for the 2018-2019 recruiting year. It looks dodgy on her resume to have only finished college this year while having an extensive work history in schools going back 15 years. She knows that a CDA means nothing outside the USA and I doubt most admin in international education even know what it is. She also wants to move away from ECE to the primary grades.

How can she market herself and address her seemingly odd work history to potential admin? I told her that she should work for a few years in ECE at an international school since that is where she is most experienced in, then transition to older grades. But she might get lucky because recently we've seen openings at many tier 1 schools in ECE; and if she recruits early she could potentially have a number of offers. However, I told her that despite her years of experience she might be on a salary scale based on when she received her degree.

I know that most people say that only post-graduate experience matters, but I think her situation might be an exception, or is it? We're talking 15 years of working as a lead teacher in ECE. She's definitely not a newbie teacher. Advice please?
by peachestotulips
Mon May 01, 2017 8:44 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Recommended Reading for Inquiry-Based Teaching
Replies: 3
Views: 8345

Re: Recommended Reading for Inquiry-Based Teaching

For math specifically, 'Mathematical Mindsets' by Jo Boaler has been a great recent read.
https://www.amazon.com/Mathematical-Min ... 3688323605

In general, the better schools have been implementing the strategies in 'Making Thinking Visible' by Ron Ritchhart, et al. for years now. I also recommend his book 'Creating Cultures of Thinking.'
https://www.amazon.com/Making-Thinking- ... 047091551X

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/11189746 ... d+learning

A thorough understanding of backwards planning a la 'Understanding By Design' is also useful when discussing planning, inquiry, project based learning, Genius Hour, Maker spaces or whatever it is a school is implementing.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/14166003 ... ref=plSrch
by peachestotulips
Wed Apr 26, 2017 8:13 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Negativity in the workplace
Replies: 85
Views: 138472

Re: Negativity in the workplace

You should really read some of the reviews on the paid portion of the site.