I had a friend that was asked by a school posted on Joyjobs to send money to get her working papers started. I told her that it sounded like a scam. She contacted Joyjobs and the ads were removed. The school never contacted her again after she said she wouldn't send the money.

Just like anything else.....you have to be careful.

The current school I am employed at (which is fantastic!) was also listed on there at the same time. Maybe taken from another site, but at least it is a resource that can be beneficial for leads.

When I was in Asia I had international insurance that worked very well for me in the states and in Asia. I'm sorry I can't think of the name right now, but it was an international company. I paid in full for all care and then they reimbursed me. My school provided it.

One school I was at asked that we coach at least one after school activity (9 weeks) without pay. We knew this was expected of us when we signed our contracts.

My current school has us fill out a form for any additional recess duty, before, after school duty we do that is not on our schedule and we get paid for it ($20/Hr).

All after-school activities are voluntary and stipened. Any overnight trips for tournaments are paid as well (including a reasonable daily food stipend).

If you want to research schools.....google the schools you are interested in. (ie International School of Jakarta) Their websites will have a lot of info.

ECIS has an online directory of schools that provides all their links. Google "ECIS school directory" "ECIS" etc. It took me awhile to find it when I was looking before. If you can't find it, order their directory as it will have all of the info in it and descriptions of the schools as well.

Create a letter of interest with a link to an on-line resume (you can create a free one on Tripod). Using the directory mentioned above, you can email hundreds of schools if you wanted to. Email them anytime! Some schools still have openings or teachers that have unexpectedly left due to illness, family, inability to adjust to new culture, etc.

Since you are a newbie, I would reccommend joining a recruiting agency. It would probably make things much easier for you as far as getting into the market. The International Educator website is useful too. they have job openings listed and are updated regularly.

I haven't sent my transcripts to anybody. Maybe I did send them to Search Associates when I first joined? If you are going to sign up with a recruiting agency...do it now. They like to have lots of paperwork and it is tedious and takes awhile. Their websites answer some general question you may have as well. Google international teacher recruiting agencies or something like that and you will get some leads.

I have gotten two jobs without going to a job fair. I hear others talking about not going to job fairs ever again as well. I think I will always take an interest in a fair as I just don't want to limit myself to only schools that are willing to do phone interviews.

I always contact schools I am interestd in before the fairs (even if they are not attending).

In my letter of interest, I always mention that I do plan to attend a fair (as I usually do). It is then up to the school to make the call as to whether they want to pursue me without meeting at a fair. Times are tough financially for everybody, so it may just be more and more common b/c of that?

I think it is just a matter of luck. If a school is really interested they may take the risk of just doing phone interviews. That's how it worked for me most recently. However, if it is becoming more of a trend to hire via Skype, etc.....more schools will do it to get attractive candidates before another school does. I'm sure the schools are looking to cut corners as well. If you have good references from a few Int'l Schools.....you're golden!

Hey dmdam0905

I am in my late thirties as well. I haven't been in the unenviable position of dragging somebody back into the closet with me LOL

I kind of knew I would be back in the closet again coming here. I think if I were in a relationship and bringing somebody with me, two in the closet might be desirable. Maybe it would only be a temporary thing?? Until you got a feel for the community??

I have really gone back and forth on my decision here. I wish I could Skype you or something and we could have a conversation about this. I am just unwilling to share my personal data on here and you can't send personal messages on here either. Any ideas?

I have been stalking this site for a long time now, but never felt compelled to sign up until I saw your post. I just wanted to chime in since I am a lesbian as well.

I am currently back in the closet since I am single and at a new post. I also get the impression that it might make others uncomfortable. I think that some would be accepting, but I also realize that if they are not comfortable, I could be told to leave. It's just not a risk I want to take right now. I'm out to all of my family and friends elsewhere.

Given you have a partner, I think you might put a lot of stress on your relationship if you try to hide it. You will have enough stress just with relocating. I think it is basically going to be up to the director that interviews you to decide if "THEY" are comfortable with it.

On one hand, I think your best bet is to be upfront. Not by putting it in your letter of interest or anything like that. In fact, most recruiting agencies ask in their profiles if you will be travelling with a non-teaching spouse. If it's in your profile, the director will most likely ask about it. That would be a good time to tell them. And if they don't ask, offer the information.

If the director has a problem with it or thinks the community might, his refusal to hire you will have saved you from a very uncomfortable experience.

On the other hypocritical hand, I am currently in the closet here. UGH!