Search found 7 matches

by lostboy
Mon Feb 09, 2004 5:02 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: What happens if your accused of reviewing your school?
Replies: 9
Views: 17230

What happens if your accused of reviewing your school?

So, what happens? Anyone ever been accused, suspected, or worse caught? Was there retribution or was it your death sentence? I'm hearing stories! 8)
by lostboy
Sat Nov 29, 2003 8:33 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Why not request letters of recommendation from Heads?
Replies: 7
Views: 16037

Silly Rabbit, tricks are for kids.

That's silly. Why ask for letters, when there should be accountability. Heads, principals, and other administrators with questionable past, seem to have no problems quitting, getting fired, or even kicked out of Dodge and popping out all squeaky clean in a new post. While on the other hand teachers with minds and actions get the heave ho, on to the list...Ooooo, the BLACK LIST. Most of us out here on the outer perimeter, are ex/pats on the prowl for adventure and exotic places. We can't possibly be out here to make a difference as teachers, otherwise we would all be back in our own countries, teaching in slum schools. So, teaching kids in foreign private schools must have another attraction. I think black list are a joke. Why have a list when there is no due process, and an administrator is the judge and jury. Not to mention all the slander that they lay out at conferences, tarnishing teacher?s reputations, without any fear of penalty. I think the problem here is good old human fault. So much effort is put into recruitment, and polishing our brass resumes, we forget to follow any codes of ethics. Let?s focus on that. Maybe with a push or even a shove, we could all stand to be better people. Ever wonder why sometimes our host country locals don't like us so much, well they're watching us, what we do. 8)
by lostboy
Sat Nov 29, 2003 8:15 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Thank You ISR!
Replies: 20
Views: 39335

Standing up without an Agenda?

Standing up for ourselves comes in many shades of grey. I have seen very few people who stand right up and say, no, "I'm mad as hell and I won't take it anymore". And, the ones who did, mysteriously disappeared, or were shown the way out. All this while the others, who were in the shadows, saying yea, go get em, went mute on revolt day. If you ever did that to someone, shame on you. If you?re the one who stood up and paid a dear price, good for you. It?s sad to see good people fall victim to a bad system. I applaud this site, and it couldn't have come along at a better time. Lets hope that the powerful ones don't go on a witch hunt and make us wear scarlet letters. "T" for truth. 8)
by lostboy
Mon Nov 24, 2003 5:34 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Concerns about this site...
Replies: 37
Views: 57402

Truth Hurts

Sorry, folks this site (sight) is a long time coming. I am envious of you who have had great times in great places. Me too, but not always in the work place. It's sad, and the system needs some policing, so why not, done by teachers. If a director is named, so be it. They have minds too, and if foul is called, let them defend themselves. Like us, we have to defend ourselves when we are judged. My favorite line is, criticism can help improve you as a teacher. Then it's placed in your file. Well, wake up, shotty directors, it's to help you improve yourself as a director, then its placed in your file, right here. So, defend it, clean it up or move on. Truth hurts. 8)
by lostboy
Mon Nov 24, 2003 5:16 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Good luck with the new website but let's be positive
Replies: 2
Views: 9768

Dime a Dozen!

One thing seems obvious, there is no shortage of teachers willing to sign on the dotted line for an opportunity to work abroad, even if the sign said "we'll treat you like crap", they would still sign on. "Post it and they will come" should be the motto. Just the opportunity to be in a foreign land, some exotic place, or a tropical wonderland, is blinding at a moment of opportunity. Really, now, how many of us have jumped at the opportunity to whine and complain or worse, jump ship, later? There are so many who will ignore the warnings of others to sign on for that opportunity to be far away. Don't do it, read and inquire further, you know like, the way we are suppose to teach kids, to be inquisitive, inquirers, and based on information, make an informed decision. Then again, do we practice what we teach, or are we a "dime a dozen'? If so, could you please write 1000 times, I am not dumb. 8)
by lostboy
Mon Nov 17, 2003 7:51 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Why is the wheel re/invented again and again?...
Replies: 2
Views: 9082

Why is the wheel re/invented again and again?...

Why is it so many schools seem to have to start over? I have been to a few schools and every one is either re/writing the curriculum or reinventing the wheel some way or another. Is there simply a school out there that is functioning just fine, with a staff coming in and doing their jobs well, without having to polish the bosses boots, or redress the front window, in order to keep up an impression, that they are striving to be the best school, for the money? Maybe its a mistake to think a private school could be anything more than some new turf to be turned by the next administrator looking to stroke their ego, or make a name. Anyone got any advice for someone who wants to teach, not promote? Its not for the money, its for those magic moments when some kid looks up, because they got it. 8)
by lostboy
Fri Nov 14, 2003 8:31 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Long time coming
Replies: 0
Views: 89734

Long time coming

I feel this has been a long time coming. Over the years I have listened to so many gripes and complaints and praises too. The gripes concern me the most. My first hand experience has not always shown the brightest light on International School teaching. Often, I have seen personal agendas, greed, and power brokering at the frontline. So, contrary to what some may feel, its a great venue, and thanks TIE for being brave enough to post it as a link. Afterall, how many of us have been duped by what we read on a posting by some director, only to find the information a fairy tale when on the job. Truth hurts, but change can come from truth.
A grain of salt is a good policy on all readings. 8)