So, I signed up a little late for the UNI fair. I wait-listed for Cambridge for awhile but it didn't happen so I went ahead and committed to Iowa since I cannot take time off during the other SEARCH fairs.

Is it too late to contact schools on the vacancy list pre fair? Am I doomed to not get any interviews without any contact whatsoever?

What to do?

I didn't intend for my post to bash him at all. I am genuinely frustrated and concerned. When I had responses from him (and until I noticed all of the arguments), I assumed that since he is such an active member, the advice must be good. I mean, this is a forum for people to help other people, right? Surely my confusion is understandable. There is a lot of Team Go To Heck PsyGuy and an absence of Team PsyGuy is My Guy. Truthfully, I want to believe that there is some good advice sprinkled in there, because some of the advice was what I wanted to hear! If I consider the opinions of what appears to be the majority of this forum, it is hard for me to trust him. If he is not to be trusted, then I want to know what motivates him out of curiosity.

So basically, my original post was to complain and whine. So lame and utterly useless. Now I'll go put antlers on my dog and steal everyone's presents.

Thank you for your responses! Nothing is black and white, it's true.

Dear Givers of Good Advice,

What is the deal with this PsyGuy? Does he really provide inaccurate information on such a regular basis? Is it intentional or is he just sadly and consistently misinformed? What would motivate someone to intentionally give out invalid advice?

It bums me out. I came to this forum looking for real advice because the prospect of applying to far away jobs, moving overseas, etc is scary due to the number of unknowns. There isn't a handbook for this. I don't even want to think of how muddy it seems to someone who doesn't even know about this forum.

Anyway, I have posted a few times under this name and another and the sad truth is that PsyGuy is one of the only people that has responded to me at times. It's frustrating to think that the advice might be wrong or useless.

What is a person supposed to do? Add "NO PSYGUY" to the subject line? Hope that someone besides him responds and that they offer real advice instead of just bickering with PsyGuy? Couldn't we all decide to collectively ignore him? These fueds only fuel the fire.

Please don't respond to this PsyGuy. All I have for you is one big sigh.

Signed,
Bummed.

DCgirl,

Thank you. That is the answer that I was expecting. I plan to focus on ways that I know I can support student learning. I just don't want schools to think that since my job has been with behaviorally and emotionally challenged students that I am not prepared to handle academics.

I do now and I can!

Thanks again.

I would love to hear from someone who knows some or any information about the current state of Special Education services. I am aiming for a Learning Support/Resource position as my number one choice.

What is the climate like? What sorts of credentials does an admin look for?

I have five years teaching Special Ed, both in a self-contained classroom, in a resource setting, and as an inclusion teacher. The thing is, all of my experience is at a school on a residential treatment center where most students are diagnosed with behavior and emotional disorders.

Will this detail be held against me based on the fact that I did not teach at a "typical" school? I feel adept in all areas of teaching and do not think my experience has hindered me at all. On the contrary, I feel that my experience has prepared me to be super flexible and up for anything. My students regularly have success where success was absent before. My students start out one or two years behind grade level and consistently show annual yearly progress of at least one grade level.

I don't really have more specific questions, but I wonder how my experience measures up to the types of positions that I will be applying for and the pool of applicants with which I will apply.

Thanks in advance!

Sid,

Thank you for the solid advice.

Is this even possible? I ran into some unexpected expenses and was not able to submit the Search fee before Cambridge filled up. Now I am wondering if it is worth it to pay the $225 for the database when I truly do not mind doing the legwork of finding vacancies on my own.

Will I regret not having access to the Search database? Does anyone have experiences finding jobs without it (such as through TIE or another agency)?

Thank you for your responses. Sounds like a pdf file is the way to go unless otherwise specified.

When asking my supervisors for references (to upload with my resume when applying directly to schools), I requested a word document. Therefore, the references are not physically signed.

One supervisor sent me a scanned and signed reference assuming that is what I needed.

Does it make a difference?

What about at job fairs? Should they be physically signed?

I assumed that since my supervisors would likely be contacted anyway, a signature was not necessary.

Please help.

When I send copies of my paperwork to schools (by attaching to emails or uploading to school site), is it better to use word documents or to transfer everything to a pdf?

Thanks!

Hi all. I am new to the forum and I can see that a few people have asked for advice about whether or not it's feasible to try and get into international teaching. I'd like some advice about if my experience and qualifications are strong enough to provide opportunities?

I have five years of Elementary teaching experience as a Special Education resource teacher (I have worked with students with learning disabilities, ADHD, and emotional/behavioral disturbances) and as a teacher of all subjects.

I am certified EC-8 as a Generalist, EC-12 Special Ed, Gifted and Talented, and ESL (I am the ESL contact on my campus).

I have some experience traveling abroad to Central America and Mexico. I love to travel in general and recently completed a bike trip down the coast of Oregon and Washington State.

I have a non-teaching spouse who will be TESOL certified and able to find his own job.

I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature.

I do not have children.

I do not have my sights set on teaching at a Tier 1 school. I'd ideally work in southeast Asia--Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc.

I want to make enough money to be able to travel some and to save some. My spouse and I currently live very frugally, do not own cars or technology, so my financial needs are not sky high, but I would like to match what I make currentlly ($44,300).

Is my dream possible?
Even with a non-teaching spouse and no IB experience?

Thank you!