Ok so we recognize that its Myanmar, and that in itself makes this a whole other planet to deal with (pretty much like any country, is an island onto themselves). Im confused by your query which HEAVILY begs the question "can a school with ETHICS try to do this", it seems to imply that a school with ethics wouldnt do this and a school without ethics can but shouldnt.

And thats not really the point and you know it, because the answer is of course that your right. Can a school do that though sure, happens all the time. Private schools and most international schools are private schools anywhere have pretty wide discretion to dictate policy as they see fit. The issue here isnt really one of teacher rights (such as a legal right to speak with a parent) but is more concerned with the schools adherence in this case to local labor laws. The school is simply establishing a paper trail, in case they do decide to terminate the teacher, that they had good cause to do so. They have teacher sign a memo of understanding that they arent to talk to parents (right or wrong, is irrelevant), so that if the teacher violates the policy, after being advised, they would have good cause to terminate the teacher for insubordination. It happens all the time actually, in a variety of situations (not necessarily this one).

Back in Italy we had a teacher who would bring his newspaper to school, and would read it while students were engaged in independent work, he had to sign a memo that he wouldnt even bring a news paper into his classroom unless it was part of the lesson.

According to Search, their annual salary for BA+4 years is $17K USD, after conversion to Thai Baht, and depending on which conversion rate you use, the salary would be about 55K Baht a month, so 60K Baht is in the right neighborhood.

Reviewing their compensation package they provide fully furnished accommodations (single unshared apartments), with free utilities on campus. They also provide up to 3 free meals a day on campus. A one time $500 in relocation expenses ($200 settling in allowance, and a $300 shipping allowance). They also provide full round trip airfare from place of hire. You get full worldwide medical insurance (no dental), two tuition waivers for dependent children, and a retirement plan after 2 years.

They dont pay the same for ESL teachers in their language support department, and local hires dont get the same package either.

Well its "kinda true", recruiters do know they have the Cambridge fair to fill a spot, if they have to. The BK fair does see a lot of strong couples, and "perfect candidates" or very difficult positions to fill (Physics), and the elite schools (ISB, WAB, France, Italy, Germany) fill up easily and quickly.

Primary is usually a "couples" post, where one partner teaches say Music or Physics, and the other partner needs "something" so they teach primary. There are some couples/families that simply cant consider a position (for economic /financial reasons) without both partners working, so schools like to save a couple primary positions (since they are the easiest to predict, just about everyone can or has a certification in primary) for such teaching couples. They might be legitimately steering you towards a fair that will be more productive for you. You would be frustrated if you went to the BK fair and no one offered you a contract because the recruiters were holding out, wouldnt you?

I think with 5 years experience at PYP, youd be HIGHLY competitive and qualified for a primary school position. I dont want to over dwell on this but it sounds like you might be getting some cultural or racial bias against you.

Not to be unfair, but the simple answer is there are fewer schools in eastern europe then in Western Europe. For instance Search Associates has 11 schools in Italy, and only 1 school in all of Russia. It doesnt mean theres only one school, just that the ratios are consistent across regions (incidentally its the same reason why Asia is easier then Europe to break into, Ex. China which has a comparable land mass to Russia has 47 schools).

Secondly, the schools in eastern europe tend to be the National Curriculum schools which puts them on the level with the upper tier 1 schools, meaning there isnt really a tier 2 or 3 market. So teaching at the American School of Warsaw (Poland, one of 2 schools) is just as competitive as applying to say ISB in Bangkok, or AOSR in Rome.

Lastly, Eastern europe is just under represented in the global market, which means you dont have as many foreignors posted in those countries, meaning you dont need as many schools to serve a smaller student base (theres like 12 schools in eastern europe).

So answer to your question "Do you have a shot?", well if your credentials are strong enough to get you into western europe they are probably strong enough to get you in to eastern europe. If you can get in AISJ in Japan, or WAB in Beijing, yeah you should feel comfortable competing in eastern europe.

Before everyone tells you that your ESL/EFL experience doesnt count at international schools, or that your Masters is nice, but without real teaching experience doesnt equal much, and that the most important thing you can do is complete your certification (and all those things are true). My answer is:

1) Generalist certifications are really only qualifications for teaching primary school. If you want to teach technology or history you will need to be certified in computer science and social studies (respectfully).

2) Get some teaching experience outside of EFL/ESL or if your going to stay in ESL/EFL at least get your experience in a real general education, K-12 school environment not at a language school.

3) If you can try to get some IB experience, preferably at an IB school.

Thats it, dont want to break my retirement too long.

Hi, T*****, I didn't want to expose your cover a while ago (in case it was important to you). It's chilli here, looks like its going to rain (but seriously the weather?)

I actually have more time as an admin then I did as a teacher. Probably will get busier as we get closer to marking period.

While i agree with the substance of the previous posters, Im sorry you didnt get any actual advice. Im going to try to give you a deeper rational/explanation. I work in Denmark, and last year taught in Italy.
I dont know what your job search scenarios were last year, but to reiterate, your really an expensive candidate. Search associates (the actual associates) "buy" into the job. They make their living off of placing teachers directly, they dont work for someone at the company. So they have a very directly invested interest in placing teachers quickly and successfully.
Its the successfully part that is really the issue here. In europe the "bulk" of the teaching positions (everything except the elite schools) have very simple compensation packages: you get a salary, insurance, and a relocation allowance/stipend (maybe a laptop or something else) but thats it. In Italy/Rome my salary was €36K a year, €3K in relocation, insurance, use of a scooter and a laptop. Thats above average and about €3,000 a month (€2,700 after taxes).
You dont get a housing allowance or provided housing. Thats whats going to be very expensive for you. Housing would be very expensive for you. Depending on where you live, and how cozy you wanted to be, you could easily spend €2,500 a month on rent alone for an apartment. Europe is expensive.
When a european school hires you they take a responsibility to some degree for you and your family. Despite what you may believe, you need a work permit to work in europe. The school couldnt or wouldnt be able to justify employing you on that kind of base salary and be able to support your family without your husband working illegally (freelance, under the table, etc). They just arent going to stick their neck out like that and put themselves in that position (mainly because they dont have to, there are plenty of candidates without such issues).
So no one gave you an answer to your question about the cambridge fair, so here goes.... Go anyway.
When you cut out the pomp and spectacle pageantry the fair is just a hotel with access to people (teachers for the admins and admins for the teachers). There is little keeping you from booking airfare, and a room and being there. Its been done many times in the past. So email your prospective schools as you would and explain that you couldnt get an invitation because of your family situation, but that you will be in the area (on business, family, holiday) and would be available to discuss how your impressive credentials could benefit their school.
I dont think you will get an overwhelming response (because you really are too expensive, and europe is just too competitive), but there really isnt anything keeping you from trying. I wish you luck though, you sound like youd be an asset to any schools faculty.

Ok I didnt want to have to explain this but here goes. So the first and second time all my posts vanished because something happened to the ISR Admin/Moderator account and unsubscribed me, which deletes all your posts.

So recently as of 4 October, 2011 there is a new forum rule (http://internationalschoolsreview.com/v ... .php?t=306) that limits everyone to three posts in a 24 hour period (its really only so that I dont over dominate the forum, I doubt anyone else has to worry about it). So ISR basically thinks they are punishing me by removing my posts.