Search found 29 matches

by popgirl
Wed Feb 14, 2024 11:52 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Qualification options after PGCE
Replies: 3
Views: 554

Re: Qualification options after PGCE

Given who you are, I'd go with Moreland.

Doing a British certification route doesn't make much sense.
by popgirl
Wed Nov 22, 2023 10:52 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: AI and Future Job Security
Replies: 10
Views: 56516

Re: Discussion

expatscot wrote:
(as demonstrated post-COVID
> lockdowns, when kids struggled with the social aspects of returning to school.)


They still are. It's getting better, but there's still a way to go.
by popgirl
Sat Nov 18, 2023 2:02 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Why are music roles considered hard to fill?
Replies: 2
Views: 22866

Re: Why are music roles considered hard to fill?

kgirl wrote:
> I'm just wondering if anyone has insights on why music roles are considered
> hard-to-fill vacancies.
>
> I know music is vast, varying based on levels and finding a teacher who can
> do it all is like finding a unicorn. Is this the reason? If so why aren't
> music roles filled early in recruiting and schools instead try to cast a
> wide net to get as many candidates as possible?

It's one of the teaching jobs that requires a specific set of skills. Let's be honest, pretty much anyone can teach middle school language arts and social studies - even elementary teachers, at a push. Even math and science isn't too hard at Grades K to 8. But to teach Music, and some other subjects, you kind of have to have some specialised knowledge. And it's not knowledge that many people have.
by popgirl
Thu Nov 09, 2023 10:29 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: 24/25 Job Search
Replies: 11
Views: 74538

Re: 24/25 Job Search

What's the season like compared to previous years ? Tough ?

Is there a glut of teachers ? What's the feeling this year about the recruitment cycle ?
by popgirl
Sun Sep 17, 2023 2:52 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Gender and Management Style
Replies: 6
Views: 21067

Re: Gender and Management Style

I've worked for three Heads of School that were excellent - one male and two females. None of the three ran the school through cliques, they'd listen and treat all faculty with respect. As a result there was a lot of solidarity between teachers - regardless of age, ethnicity, gender or nationality. If the HoS made a mistake, they'd own up to it. None of the 3 had time for blame culture. All three were very sharp, had a strong vision, and communicated it effectively. The students always came first, but they all knew that happy teachers are better teachers.
The women knew all the teachers and students' names, and were more approachable. The man was/is more distant, and more into the sport/athletics program. All three were honest, transparent and held their administrators and faculty to account for what they did.
by popgirl
Fri Aug 04, 2023 4:20 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: PGCE - Tes - Is it any good?
Replies: 8
Views: 18586

Re: Reply

PsyGuy wrote:
They cant promise or offer any guarantee or
> assurance it will be worth anything.


Quite
by popgirl
Thu Aug 03, 2023 3:55 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: PGCE - Tes - Is it any good?
Replies: 8
Views: 18586

Re: PGCE - Tes - Is it any good?

[quote=Thailandfunny post_id=63627 time=1675786933 user_id=272321]
I would appreciate your thoughts and comments very much so,
[/quote]


It looks better than the Nottingham Uni version, and very similar to the Sunderland Uni one.

I wonder what the HK extra module is? It nearly doubles the cost of the program. If it helps meet HK requirements for teacher registration, it might be worth doing.

I found this comment quite telling: "It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognise any qualification to which this course may lead."
by popgirl
Wed Jun 28, 2023 1:26 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Tuition Paid Out of Pocket
Replies: 22
Views: 92705

Re: Tuition Paid Out of Pocket

IS Luxembourg as it's part financed by their govt.

ESF schools in Hong Kong, as they are also part financed by the HK government.

Failing that, how about a German or French school, as they are also usually significantly cheaper and provide a good education - if not all the extras.
by popgirl
Wed Jun 28, 2023 1:13 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: 'Normal' full time teaching load in Secondary
Replies: 17
Views: 107448

Re: 'Normal' full time teaching load in Secondary

Depends on the school.

UK schools in the UK - I had 25/30 periods, plus tutor group / homeroom for 30 mins per day, duties and an expectation to cover/sub during at least one of the free periods per week. 5 to 8 preps was standard.

IB International schools - I had 20/30 periods, plus homeroom for around 10 to 15 mins per day. Occasional light duties and no subbing ever. 2 to 4 preps was standard.
by popgirl
Wed Jun 28, 2023 1:02 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Thrown under the bus
Replies: 7
Views: 15890

Re: Thrown under the bus

Typical last week stuff. Don't worry about it - I'm sure it will be back to normal after the summer. People are feeling twitchy and sensitive at this time of year.

and next time - be a bit more circumspect about offering to cover his classes when he's off on his next golfing weekend.
by popgirl
Tue May 02, 2023 2:08 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Integrity
Replies: 6
Views: 31855

Integrity

I'm finding it hard as there seems to be very little integrity in certain members of my admin. Decision making is opaque, and there are frequent frantic searches for fall people to take the blame for mistakes. Decisions are made behind the back of faculty, denied, and when the consequences are clear for all to see, the gaslighting starts. Cliques are made, decisions are made behind closed doors in those cliques, and then badly communicated to the rest of the faculty, if at all. When decisions are not carried out - often as most faculty concerned don't know they've been made - then the blame game and name calling starts. Believe it or not, this is in a 'top' or even 'elite' tier school. I've worked with some really good admin in the past, so I know it doesn't have to be like this. I'm tired, annoyed / irritated by the lack of professionalism, and on the verge of writing a review on the paid side. All that's stopping me so far is that I'd like to move on and I'll need references.

Any advice, beyond 'keep your mouth shut and move on'?
by popgirl
Mon Apr 17, 2023 10:22 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Stories of Success
Replies: 14
Views: 69555

Re: Stories of Success

> @popgirl - It is interesting isn't it?! Sometimes, in some cases, top tier
> simply means the school has been around awhile, but it does not always
> necessarily mean things are more "cutting-edge" at the top tiers
> than the younger, less well known places.


It's not that they're not cutting edge, or bad educators - they're all just really nasty to each other and about each other.
by popgirl
Fri Apr 07, 2023 7:29 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Student Behaviour
Replies: 4
Views: 19408

Re: Student Behaviour

fine dude wrote:
> As educators, we all understand the critical importance of good behavior for effective learning. What measures has your school's leadership
> undertaken to reinforce positive behavior and compliance with rules? Please do not name any specific schools.

There are lots of things that can feed into this. Some are:

a) Parent power. If the parents are too powerful, admin are sometimes too frightened (justifiably) to do what's needed.
b) Effectiveness / visibility of admin. Is there a genuine vision / philosophy guiding the school ? Are they the kind that spend most of their time on 'important' Zoom meetings in their office, or do you see them out and about ? Do they leave their offices ? How transparent and available are they ?
c) Education vs PR - which is the priority ? International schools need to sell themselves, but is it all about the gloss ? Do they genuinely care / know about what is going on in the classrooms ? Do they judge teachers / grade level teams / departments just by the showy stuff they do ?
d) Does the school care about its students and faculty ? I've found that schools that genuinely care about their students usually have better student / teacher relationships and thus behavior.

The students know instinctively the answers to the above, and will often react accordingly.
by popgirl
Sun Apr 02, 2023 5:07 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Stories of Success
Replies: 14
Views: 69555

Re: Stories of Success

fine dude wrote:
>I do miss compassion and humanity towards students and colleagues at my
> old school.


Ditto. I should really like where I work. Top payer in the region, amazing facilities, famous name. It's just that they're all so nasty to/about each other - admin, faculty, parents & students. Top tier isn't all it's cracked up to be.
by popgirl
Sat Mar 11, 2023 4:58 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: IB vs The Rest
Replies: 39
Views: 110168

Re: Reply

PsyGuy wrote:

> So you agree with me its not a requirement. Even for those who are not from the EU its only unlikely. Its not even EU or non-EU status, and its not IB
> experience, its you, youre IS is the common factor. If it was a requirement it would be impossible for everyone, thats how requirements work, theyre
> required.

It could also be a matter of which member state you're going to. The different 27 countries do have different requirements, so that could also be it ?