I know a number of people that have broken contracts, most usually find another job before leaving.

Some have done a runner without any notice, others have given plenty of notice eg. January time for the following academic year. All have managed to continue their careers.

Those that gave their notice in January were not penalised in anyway, they left with their full salary, gratuity and flights etc. However, they may have been lucky as they were at decent enough schools.

It is early days now though, it's always difficult starting at a new place and you have to give it a bit of time. If you're desperate to leave in January as problems are still not sorted it would not be the end of the world to give in your notice.

Not sure exactly what thoughts you're after, if it's reassurance then yes, the Open University is perfectly good.

[quote="IAMBOG"]Are ECE posts paid the same as K-12 positions? I've often wondered about this. I assumed they weren't.[/quote]

The jobs I've been offered or taken were all paid on the same salary scale. I went from Key Stage 1 into Early Years and stayed on the same pay. There's often a shorter day but it's tiring work down there, and you don't get all the free periods that you get higher up the school, so hours work out similar in the end.

It's my experience that if the Early Years classes are part of the school then the pay is the same, regardless of whether you teach FS1 (3yr olds) or Year 13 (18 yr olds). That's assuming everyone is a fully qualified (western qualifications) teacher. We did have a couple of local hire teachers in Early Years who got paid less.

Oh, for the 18 month to 3 yr olds post I was offered, that was also full salary. The Head was very open about it and said they had a hard time finding teachers to work with the tiny ones. They also had the perk of not having to do after school clubs because their day was so tiring and full anyway!

[quote="livefree"]

I am only certified to teach ECE and I have certificate in management in ECE and a supervisor permit which hopefully will help. I can be open to locations, but my preference would be to teach in Cyprus, Lebanon, Jordan, Greece, or Turkey.
[/quote]

I'm not sure what ages ECE covers in the US. I'm primary trained (5-11yr olds) but have taught down to the 3 year olds. I have found that there is generally less competition for the Early Years posts, and Heads have told me me they are harder posts to fill than higher up in primary. This year I was offered a job with the 18 months to 3 yr olds, yet have no experience with that age range and wasn't brave enough to try it. Just wanted to let you know that you do have something on your side.

I'd also suggest you keep an eye on individual schools and apply direct, I've never been to a fair, and always got jobs. Just check out which schools are in the countries you want to go to.

[quote="PsyGuy"]@stellalocal

Most PINS from American banks are 4 digits. Only a small number of USA banks will let you choose a pin longer then 4 digits. In the normal case there is no way to get a 6 digit PIN. if the country your in needs a 6 digit PIN you either:
1) Dont have access to your money (not entirely true, you can use a teller, or servicer).
2) Figure out how to adopt your PIN (using leading/trailing zeros).
3) Use certain international ATMs, available at many large bank branches.
4) Get a new bank.
[/quote]

Uk bank pins are only 4 digits and I've never had any problem using uk cards around the world. I've travelled with both cards at the same time, 6 digit and 4 digit, and been able to use them both at atms regardless of the country. I just enter either 4 or 6 digits.

As for the atm, I don't have to use my own banks atms. Usually you can use partner ones too, you just check which logos are on your card, and find an atm with the same one.

Oh, and I only go with the bog standard current account, with no fees.

Yes, it will make a difference depending on where the OP is going, but I think generally nowadays, telephone and internet banking make things much easier. It's definitely worth getting this set up for a home account before leaving. I'd also assume that you'd be getting a local account in the new country too. Basically you want to be able to access your accounts easily.

I was advised by a KL school that I would have to be in the country on 1st Jan and again on a date in June or July (can't remember when exactly) during the first year for tax reasons. Other than that I would have been free to travel as I wished.

[quote="PsyGuy"]

Basically there are three ways to send money back to the states:

1) Wire Transfer
2) Transfer Services
3) Mail

They also arent convenient. Since you have to go to the bank during business hours, and will also need to go during the time the foreign account representative is there. Since you will want someone who 1) speaks english 2) Knows how and can access the wire services for that bank branch. It might shock you that you can only do that at certain times of the day or week.

4) A compatible PIN number. ATM machines overseas sometimes use more then 4 digit PINS (often 6 digits). Foreign machines (at most overseas international banks) will accept 4 digit pins. Some will accept two zeros and then your 4 digit PIN. Some wont accept PINS that start with 0. You also want an ATM debit card that uses as many processors as possible, most ATMs accept Plus, Cirrus & Masestro, which are common to all the big USA banks.
[/quote]

For the last 8 years overseas, I've had no problem using internet banking and it's all been very straightforward to transfer money back to the UK. Some people I know choose to have a certain amount sent every month, I just log in every once in a while and send some. Most people I know use this method for security and ease, some take a bankers draft when travelling home but there are then risks of loss and obviously this is only good if you are travelling. I've never known anyone send by post.

I'm not sure about the pin business, I've travelled with both my 6 pin and 4 pin debit cards and had no problem drawing money out all over the world. Maybe this has been because my cards have been from UK and Egyptian branches of banks that are recognised worldwide, who knows.

I'd be careful with the blog. Schools can be funny about things put online and privacy. Jut something to be aware of.

[quote="pencil"]PsyGuy, I took for granted that a school would be interested in my student's projects that I had overseen/taught. I did not think they would be interested in my own, personal artwork. I have my own website for that, so that's an easy link.

So at a fair, when the recruiters pop in a CD/DVD, they want to look at my own, personal images of art and not that of my students? I would have never thought that.

I appreciate all your suggestions. Thank you.[/quote]

Interesting. I too would have thought recruiters would be more interested in work you've done with your students than your own work. You need to prove you're an excellent teacher, not just a great artist in your own time. I would definitely include work you've done with students, that's the point of your job, as a teacher.

You've already got a website that shows your own talent so in your portfolio I'd include evidence of what you've achieved with students. At least then you're covering both aspects.

[quote="PsyGuy"]. Your C.V is essentially your 'life history'. Every job, volunteer experience, club, association, professional membership, awards, honors, publications, degree, and certificate. For some teachers, especially veterans thats an exhausting amount of information, and a good chunk of it is irrelevant for an IS K-12 teacher.
[/quote]

Usually ads will say 2 page max cv, so you pick the relevant bits. Mine's certainly not my whole life history. In my experience teachers' CVs are usually only 1 or 2 pages, that's just from talking to various colleagues. Maybe the long cv thing is an American thing. So to clarify, I'd do a 2 page CV/resume, whatever you want to call it.

[quote="PsyGuy"]

Dont do a C.V.[/quote]

Really? I've always needed one for job applications. I've never been to a fair, I've always got my jobs by applying direct to the school, and they've always required a cv and letter/statement. I'd recommend you try fairs and applying direct.

If I was you, I'd get everything ready to start applying from Sept/October as that's when ads start coming out, it also gives you some time to improve things if you find no-one's interested.

[quote="PsyGuy"]Honestly, I think you quit to early, you may well have got something if you stuck with it. Aside from a lack of IB experience your really a VERY strong candidatet.[/quote]

Yep, agree with that. It is competitive but just keep at it. If you're not too picky then you should be able to find a decent enough job.

Generally I'd say they'd want a recognised western teaching qualification. That's my experience. Can't he get a US teaching qualification? Or what about an online teaching qualification?

I've known Egyptians get a British PGCE in Egypt, this has then enabled them to get teaching jobs at the lower tier international schools in Egypt. None of them have yet tried to move on anywhere else.

Alternatively, you could go to an international school in his country. For now, continue applying for jobs, next years positions will start coming up from September, you may get lucky.

[quote="PsyGuy"]Well then QTS is a definite waste, and any PGCE will due. [/quote]

I'm not sure I entirely agree with this, even internationally the better schools may want QTS (not NQT year) so don't rule it out. I know my school in Egypt employed a couple of NQTs with QTS during my time there, none without, I know one was sent away to at least get some experience. And some job ads that I've seen have stated 'QTS'. I'm not saying QTS is essential, but may give your wife better options, if it's not possible she may still be able to get a teaching job at a not so good school depending on where you are.

Just wanting to clarify, you're basically a UK qualified primary teacher with 14 years experience. There are loads of us out there and it is competitive so you will need to sell yourself with additional skills/qualifications/training etc. Generally there is slightly less competition if you're willing to venture down to KS1 or FS, but even then it's tough getting a job.

Having 2 children may put some schools off but the better ones would still consider you. I know a few single Mums that have moved to new international schools this year, so it can be done.

You might also want to try looking on a UK teacher job site, they have an international section.

Oh, just realised this is an old post, never mind.

[quote] In China you cant get a work visa if you have HIV, and thats been around a long time, and China is one if not the the biggest employer of international teachers in the world[/quote]

It's not only China that has this rule. Egypt is the same. I'm sure there are other countries too. Health requirements vary by country.
Have to agree, the 'random' drug testing can seem a bit convenient at times.