popgirl wrote:
> Heliotrope wrote:
> > Some schools will try to obtain a certain accreditations because they think it's
> the
> > better one and having it will reflect their commitment to education to parents
> and
> > other schools.
> > Sometimes a school will go for the easiest one, just so they can say they're a
> certified school.
>
>
> So which ones do you think denote quality ?
Lots of great schools have one or more of the following: WASC, CIS, NEASC
But that doesn't mean that if a school has one of these that it's definitely a good school. It just makes it more likely than if they don't have any of them.
Search found 1173 matches
- Wed Jan 29, 2025 6:09 am
- Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
- Topic: School accreditations
- Replies: 5
- Views: 8926
- Tue Jan 28, 2025 1:54 am
- Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
- Topic: School accreditations
- Replies: 5
- Views: 8926
Re: School accreditations
popgirl wrote:
> so why might a school choose one over the other ?
Some schools will try to obtain a certain accreditations because they think it's the better one and having it will reflect their commitment to education to parents and other schools.
Sometimes a school will go for the easiest one, just so they can say they're a certified school.
> so why might a school choose one over the other ?
Some schools will try to obtain a certain accreditations because they think it's the better one and having it will reflect their commitment to education to parents and other schools.
Sometimes a school will go for the easiest one, just so they can say they're a certified school.
- Fri Sep 13, 2024 6:15 pm
- Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
- Topic: Is it worth it to go to court over an unfair dismissal?
- Replies: 10
- Views: 20710
Re: Is it worth it to go to court over an unfair dismissal?
tangchao wrote:
> Just make sure you have a reference already.
Part of checking the references can also be a call or email to your last employer, so getting a reference before you take legal action isn't a way of having your cake and eating it too.
It will however enable you to prove the bad things an admin might say about you in such a call/email are because of the lawsuit you brought against them, since they said different things in their written reference.
> Just make sure you have a reference already.
Part of checking the references can also be a call or email to your last employer, so getting a reference before you take legal action isn't a way of having your cake and eating it too.
It will however enable you to prove the bad things an admin might say about you in such a call/email are because of the lawsuit you brought against them, since they said different things in their written reference.
- Fri May 31, 2024 4:37 am
- Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
- Topic: First time International School teaching
- Replies: 5
- Views: 16615
Re: First time International School teaching
Aoibhneas wrote:
> Could you tell me the name
> of the biggest fair in Lomdon to attend ? thank you! Aoife
That would be the Search Associates Fair. You would need to be registered with Search to attend.
> Could you tell me the name
> of the biggest fair in Lomdon to attend ? thank you! Aoife
That would be the Search Associates Fair. You would need to be registered with Search to attend.
- Mon Apr 29, 2024 5:56 pm
- Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
- Topic: Taking a career break - how hard is it to return?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 32102
Re: Taking a career break - how hard is it to return?
interteach wrote:
> I can't discuss actual schools, but my references were excellent and I've
> taken advantage of PD to improve my work, either through what the school
> offered or an allowance (if provided). I was pretty well set up to get
> interviews.
>
> A number of schools were known for being fast-paced and expecting a fair
> amount of work from teachers, but I enjoy that.
I actually meant the non-teaching jobs ("education-related work"), but I misread and thought those were the high-paying jobs.
> I can't discuss actual schools, but my references were excellent and I've
> taken advantage of PD to improve my work, either through what the school
> offered or an allowance (if provided). I was pretty well set up to get
> interviews.
>
> A number of schools were known for being fast-paced and expecting a fair
> amount of work from teachers, but I enjoy that.
I actually meant the non-teaching jobs ("education-related work"), but I misread and thought those were the high-paying jobs.
- Fri Apr 26, 2024 5:28 pm
- Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
- Topic: Taking a career break - how hard is it to return?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 32102
Re: Taking a career break - how hard is it to return?
interteach wrote:
> IB Math
May I ask what kind of high-paying jobs you landed, and how you liked them?
> IB Math
May I ask what kind of high-paying jobs you landed, and how you liked them?
- Tue Mar 12, 2024 5:30 am
- Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
- Topic: Family Living Locations
- Replies: 6
- Views: 24206
Re: Family Living Locations
applecake wrote:
> Wondered if we were looking for a throwback to the 80s where we had family
> neighborhoods and kids biking in the streets reminicent to Stranger Things
> - which schools / cities would be best to take a closer look at?
This sounds a lot like how other teachers have described the housing compounds for some schools in Saudi Arabia (Aramco, KAUST, AIS Riyadh, AIS Jeddah, probably a few more).
> Wondered if we were looking for a throwback to the 80s where we had family
> neighborhoods and kids biking in the streets reminicent to Stranger Things
> - which schools / cities would be best to take a closer look at?
This sounds a lot like how other teachers have described the housing compounds for some schools in Saudi Arabia (Aramco, KAUST, AIS Riyadh, AIS Jeddah, probably a few more).
- Wed Feb 14, 2024 2:21 am
- Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
- Topic: Qualification options after PGCE
- Replies: 3
- Views: 17550
Re: Qualification options after PGCE
I think there's an assessment-only pathway to certification. Not sure if this is true for all US states, but it's worth looking into. Then you'd only have to pay the exam-fees. Not sure what the qualifications for this is, but Google and learn.
- Mon Jan 22, 2024 10:32 pm
- Forum: Forum 2. Ask Recruiting Questions, Share Information. What's on Your Mind?
- Topic: Fair reports?
- Replies: 1
- Views: 20871
Re: Fair reports?
Very few people visit this forum.
If I were you I'd post it on the main forum, you'll get more answer there.
If I were you I'd post it on the main forum, you'll get more answer there.
- Wed Jan 10, 2024 6:53 pm
- Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
- Topic: Search Associates - white people only?
- Replies: 21
- Views: 59794
Re: Search Associates - white people only?
You seem highly qualified, so it's likely either some negative references or racism.
Not much you can do about it I'm afraid, but it's sad if they chose not to accept you as a candidate for this reason.
I would definitely approach the school through other channels, as otherwise you wouldn't land the job anyway. It's worth a try.
Be aware that it's not all of Search, as the associate assigned to you has the authority to accept or deny you. Another associate might have accepted you if you would have been assigned to them. I did hear other reports of other perfectly qualified teachers being denied by Search for no obvious reason other than the color of their skin, so sadly you're not the first and likely not the last to whom this happens.
Also, I know for a fact that plenty of great schools are perfectly happy hiring a non-White teacher, so this associate is mistaken if they think no school will pick you up.
Hope it all works out for you.
Not much you can do about it I'm afraid, but it's sad if they chose not to accept you as a candidate for this reason.
I would definitely approach the school through other channels, as otherwise you wouldn't land the job anyway. It's worth a try.
Be aware that it's not all of Search, as the associate assigned to you has the authority to accept or deny you. Another associate might have accepted you if you would have been assigned to them. I did hear other reports of other perfectly qualified teachers being denied by Search for no obvious reason other than the color of their skin, so sadly you're not the first and likely not the last to whom this happens.
Also, I know for a fact that plenty of great schools are perfectly happy hiring a non-White teacher, so this associate is mistaken if they think no school will pick you up.
Hope it all works out for you.
- Fri Dec 08, 2023 5:10 am
- Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
- Topic: How would you answer these interview questions?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 75370
Re: How would you answer these interview questions?
How I would answer would partly be influenced by which school I'm applying to, in so far that it would determine what I would emphasize and what I might downplay. Know your audience.
Apart from that, I've noticed schools prefer you to use examples from your classroom to illustrate your answers, so don't keep it too abstract/theoretical but be sure to also use anecdotes that show how it played out in real life. Everyone can come up with a right answer, but if you show that you've actually walked the walk it will make more of an impression.
Apart from that, I've noticed schools prefer you to use examples from your classroom to illustrate your answers, so don't keep it too abstract/theoretical but be sure to also use anecdotes that show how it played out in real life. Everyone can come up with a right answer, but if you show that you've actually walked the walk it will make more of an impression.
- Wed Nov 22, 2023 6:44 am
- Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
- Topic: Non-Negotiables
- Replies: 5
- Views: 68548
Re: Non-Negotiables
justme123 wrote:
> @Heliotrope- those are some great points. As someone who takes my health
> for granted, I didn't think about good healthcare facilities.
Yeah, imagine being at one of those mining schools in the jungle and suddenly being in need of an acute appendectomy.
> As for work-life balance, I agree with you. While many IE strive for T1
> schools, maybe having a lower stress job at a T2 or even T3 may be a smart
> move.
There are T1 schools where you can have a healthy work-life balance. I find that most of my colleagues at my tier 1 school who work till 5:30pm almost every day put pressure on themselves, and it's not admin who makes them work those long hours. My admin just care that you get the job done, and what they expect to be done isn't unreasonable at all. Those teachers feel they need to work many hours to be a good teacher. If you're efficient, you can get your work done and go home on time - working longer doesn't always equate to working better.
> My question is, when vetting a potential school, how do you go about
> finding out the school's work-life balance? Do you ask current faculty
> members?
Yes, and also teachers who left recently (last two years or so, sometimes longer if there haven't been major changes in admin).
And one opinion is not very useful, get a few. I used to find them using Facebook or LinkedIn, but nowadays I have a rather large network of former colleagues who have spread out over the world and now work at good to great schools, so I usually know someone at the schools I'm considering, or someone I know will know someone there.
> @Heliotrope- those are some great points. As someone who takes my health
> for granted, I didn't think about good healthcare facilities.
Yeah, imagine being at one of those mining schools in the jungle and suddenly being in need of an acute appendectomy.
> As for work-life balance, I agree with you. While many IE strive for T1
> schools, maybe having a lower stress job at a T2 or even T3 may be a smart
> move.
There are T1 schools where you can have a healthy work-life balance. I find that most of my colleagues at my tier 1 school who work till 5:30pm almost every day put pressure on themselves, and it's not admin who makes them work those long hours. My admin just care that you get the job done, and what they expect to be done isn't unreasonable at all. Those teachers feel they need to work many hours to be a good teacher. If you're efficient, you can get your work done and go home on time - working longer doesn't always equate to working better.
> My question is, when vetting a potential school, how do you go about
> finding out the school's work-life balance? Do you ask current faculty
> members?
Yes, and also teachers who left recently (last two years or so, sometimes longer if there haven't been major changes in admin).
And one opinion is not very useful, get a few. I used to find them using Facebook or LinkedIn, but nowadays I have a rather large network of former colleagues who have spread out over the world and now work at good to great schools, so I usually know someone at the schools I'm considering, or someone I know will know someone there.
- Wed Nov 22, 2023 3:35 am
- Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
- Topic: Resignation and reapplying help
- Replies: 15
- Views: 275803
Re: Resignation and reapplying help
> I am keeping my options open at the minute, applying everywhere. Signed up to Search
> (lovely people!) and will attend job fairs. Schrole s is pending, haven't heard of
> ISS, will search that now!
You could also try GRC and TES.
> (lovely people!) and will attend job fairs. Schrole s is pending, haven't heard of
> ISS, will search that now!
You could also try GRC and TES.
- Tue Nov 21, 2023 8:30 pm
- Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
- Topic: Non-Negotiables
- Replies: 5
- Views: 68548
Re: Non-Negotiables
a) Safe location - Agree
It's hard to know which countries to include in the safe-list though, as there's crime in every country. Singapore is undoubtedly safer than Venezuela, and there are a lot of countries that are obviously considered 'safe' or 'unsafe' by most, but there are also a lot of countries that will feel safe enough for some, and unsafe for others, depending on their tolerance and on how informed they are. Some countries are safe in you stay in a certain bubble, but is that acceptable? For me it would also depend on other factors. For example, I might tolerate a certain risk of being pickpocketed (or other non-violent crimes) if the school, savings potential and air quality are all great, it's a good location for travel, and certain areas of the cities are safe.
b) Good air quality - Agree
But again, what's 'good'? And the same as with #1, other factors will tolerate what I will be willing to accept, assuming I can buy good air filters. There is a certain amount I will not tolerate, regardless of how great the school and other factors are, but it's hard to know now what that would be.
c) Non- or not-for-profit - Agree
I mean, if there's a great for-profit school where I wouldn't notice that it's for-profit, that would be ok, but I haven't read about one of those yet.
d) No cell phones allowed during the school day - Partly agree
It would be my preference, but it's not a non-negotiable. I would want to have the option to ban them in my classroom of course.
I would add:
e) Good healthcare facilities
I'm fine with travelling to another country for major surgery, but I want a decent level of care for anything that can't be scheduled.
f) Savings potential needs to meet my threshold
I don't want to teach past age 60, so I need to be able to save a certain amount per year. After that amount is met, I don't really let savings potential sway me too much.
g) No unjust pressure from parents/admin to adjust grades
How rich or influential a student's parents are should never affect my grading.
h) Work-life balance needs to be reasonable
I don't mind working hard, but coming home at 5pm every day of the week, being required to work on Saturdays or Sundays more than a few times, or having significantly more contract days than the average international school are all unacceptable. I work to live, I don't live to work.
It's hard to know which countries to include in the safe-list though, as there's crime in every country. Singapore is undoubtedly safer than Venezuela, and there are a lot of countries that are obviously considered 'safe' or 'unsafe' by most, but there are also a lot of countries that will feel safe enough for some, and unsafe for others, depending on their tolerance and on how informed they are. Some countries are safe in you stay in a certain bubble, but is that acceptable? For me it would also depend on other factors. For example, I might tolerate a certain risk of being pickpocketed (or other non-violent crimes) if the school, savings potential and air quality are all great, it's a good location for travel, and certain areas of the cities are safe.
b) Good air quality - Agree
But again, what's 'good'? And the same as with #1, other factors will tolerate what I will be willing to accept, assuming I can buy good air filters. There is a certain amount I will not tolerate, regardless of how great the school and other factors are, but it's hard to know now what that would be.
c) Non- or not-for-profit - Agree
I mean, if there's a great for-profit school where I wouldn't notice that it's for-profit, that would be ok, but I haven't read about one of those yet.
d) No cell phones allowed during the school day - Partly agree
It would be my preference, but it's not a non-negotiable. I would want to have the option to ban them in my classroom of course.
I would add:
e) Good healthcare facilities
I'm fine with travelling to another country for major surgery, but I want a decent level of care for anything that can't be scheduled.
f) Savings potential needs to meet my threshold
I don't want to teach past age 60, so I need to be able to save a certain amount per year. After that amount is met, I don't really let savings potential sway me too much.
g) No unjust pressure from parents/admin to adjust grades
How rich or influential a student's parents are should never affect my grading.
h) Work-life balance needs to be reasonable
I don't mind working hard, but coming home at 5pm every day of the week, being required to work on Saturdays or Sundays more than a few times, or having significantly more contract days than the average international school are all unacceptable. I work to live, I don't live to work.
- Sat Nov 18, 2023 6:55 pm
- Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
- Topic: Resignation and reapplying help
- Replies: 15
- Views: 275803
Re: Resignation and reapplying help
You made the right decision not ghosting the school.
They're *ssholes for making you leave mid-year, as not many vacancies will have a January start. Giving you excellent references is the very least they can do, especially since you simply deserve those.
Maybe you can look at schools where those two SLT members worked at before they moved to your current school, since their recommendation might go further at those schools?
You might want to try international schools that follow the Southern hemisphere school calendar, but not many of those around (South America has a few decent options). The downside is that it's hard to transition back. Maternity cover roles or replacing teachers that pulled a runner at schools that follow the 'normal' calendar could work. With a child in need of education that would be better than waiting until after the Summer to begin a new job then.
Have you signed up for Search, ISS and/or Schrole yet?
They're *ssholes for making you leave mid-year, as not many vacancies will have a January start. Giving you excellent references is the very least they can do, especially since you simply deserve those.
Maybe you can look at schools where those two SLT members worked at before they moved to your current school, since their recommendation might go further at those schools?
You might want to try international schools that follow the Southern hemisphere school calendar, but not many of those around (South America has a few decent options). The downside is that it's hard to transition back. Maternity cover roles or replacing teachers that pulled a runner at schools that follow the 'normal' calendar could work. With a child in need of education that would be better than waiting until after the Summer to begin a new job then.
Have you signed up for Search, ISS and/or Schrole yet?