MartElla wrote:
>
> True, on the other hand these "valid" teachers with their
> "justifiably" certified reasons are often few and far between. More likely
> is that they have been in the job a few months and want to tell all the school what
> they are doing wrong/how it was better in their previous school. Whiners that tend to
> be on their way after one contract. Perhaps they blame the director because they
> don't like their gender/fit/nationality/age and so on.
>
> In most cases, those that identify areas in need of improvement and attempt to
> provide solutions which can do so tend to do well. One is whiner, one is an improver.
> It can be a difficult balance between the two but those that keep plugging away tend
> to be accepted and make a difference in their own way.
>
> I'm not disagreeing with you per se, just providing a counterbalance. I'm not admin,
> nor never want to be, but just want to provide a bit of balance.

Agreed!! In my case, I was brought in as a subject expert in a new field. It's an area that's very new in the country where I live. Despite having academic qualifications, experience and being hired to specifically build this programme and the fact that no one in the school (or the country at large) had any experience in this area---there was still a lot of pushback from the HOS because he was so unused to being guided in any way about anything. But I do agree with you...nothing worse than someone coming in and saying, 'In my old school we did it like this ...' Context is everything and those people are very annoying! By the way, the STAFF themselves were hungry for CPD in the area of expertise I could offer but the HOS was simply unable to accept he didn't know it all already because he read an article in a newsletter. :roll eyes:

I have a lot of experience in IS and now am working in my home country in a non IS. This concept of school heads having an attitude also applies in many cases here. In particular, in schools that are highly sought after by parents (for them to enrol their students) or by teachers to work in (good location, good conditions, nice working environments, lots of resources, motivated staff)---school heads can, after some time, become so cocky that they believe they are so AMAZING that everyone is seeking them out that if anyone is critical of them in any way at all--'There is the door.' Because in many cases, there is a queue of eager teachers seeking work behind that person who justifiably has a valid critique of how things could be done to improve the education of the children at the school...so it's also the nature of being in a position where you are granting jobs to people and either renewing or not renewing their contracts.

Fortunately, where I live teachers have permanency and cannot be removed or transferred easily. Gaining that permanency is not easy and in today's climate is very rare in many areas. However, if you cross certain school heads, they can make your life a misery so most people just keep the head down and do their work and don't make a fuss---even if that fuss would be in the best interest of the students.

The difference in the IS (from my experience in 3 schools) is that there is no concept of a 'permanent teacher/admin' and everyone's job is under the knife annually or for shorter/mid-term contracts so everyone is willing to kick the people lower than them on the ladder to climb it.

Not in the least surprised. I wasn't shocked to read the posts on this thread...what a scammer and what easy prey new or keen ITs are! Especially when he threatens to 'blackball' them to IS..it's enough to put some of them off reporting him. The hassle of reporting him through small claims court for such a small amount of money means many or most people probably just chalk it up to a bad experience and live and learn.

It's a shame to see people still falling for it. I personally don't think his website looks reputable. There are no contact details at all for his office or corporate information and I wouldn't engage from an overview of his website but I can see how people with less experience with recruiting agencies, IT/IS, the internet, etc might be fooled.

Is this him up to his old tricks in Canada?

https://www.globaleducationlogistics.co ... airs-2017/

Online Toronto, Canada Onsite International School Recruitment Fair 3rd/4th November 2018 North America

Online Vancouver, Canada Onsite International School Recruitment Fair 10th/11th November 2018 North America

His name appears here on this page in the testimonials:
https://www.globaleducationlogistics.co ... monials-2/

Wow. That's harsh. Can you please name and shame!

I want to stay away from that place!!

Definately, name and shame. You are probably not the only one that has experienced this from this institution. Wouldn't you have been thankful if someone had told you before you signed.


Having said that, some schools will do this if they have reason to believe you were untruthful in your application or your credentials haven't been authentic.

So, what was their excuse?

[quote="scribe"] teachers often get the same or less pay than they would in their home countries.[/quote]

Any sign of this changing soon? Surely, with the lowering of incentive that is happening with the lack of improvement of housing benefits, no COLA (for most schools), no signficant increase in salary....

Soon, shouldn't the schools be forced into a position where they have to pay more? I am aware that the limited places for students fill up so there is a demand for more teachers, but is it a case where schools are happy to get teachers with less experience just to get a warm body in the classroom and collect the tuition?

It seems very unfair!

Bump.

Someone must have an opinion about this!!

Your grammer is most certainly not the product of a teaching professional. (and note the rating for the local attitude towards foreigners...projecting are we?)

Your spelling isn't brilliant either!! I do, however, agree with some of the sentiments expressed in your post!!

Yes, I'd say go for it!

You're in a fantastic position to negotiate at the summer Philly fair. I went to it and had many offers and finally got a great contract from a fantastic A+ school. I even drove my future boss to the airport after the fair! I lived in Philly at the time!

Good luck. It's definately worth it if you are single and available and would be flexible about where you move. The only thing (which isn't related to the fair) is getting hired that late in the year might affect your present position, if you've already agreed to return in Sept '07. Also, the marathon speed-packing paperwork nightmare is far less fun in June than in Feb!!

I hear GEMS schools in Dubai are increasing tuition significantly this coming school year. Will they also increase the teacher salaries?

What is GEMS housing like? Are all GEMS teachers in Dubai given the same salaries/housing/benefits?

Can anyone comment on the quality of housing for GEMS teachers. I'm thinking of taking up a job in Wellington? Anyone worked there recently?

Can we have an update on all the GEMS schools as we all know how much things can change in the space of a few months.

Will the tuition increases hurt the enrollment? Will the increase in the cost of living in Dubai affect the teachers at GEMs and other int'l schools?

Thanks for that!

Most international schools go to at least one fair to network. Many heads want to scope out the scene for themselves if they want to move on, so it's where they shmooze and sniff out prospects for their own futures.

As far as teachers, parents, students, package, curriculum, I'd give it a solid 'B' grade. Nothing negative to say about it at all!