Search found 112 matches

by chemteacher101
Mon Dec 02, 2019 6:26 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Is Search still worth it?
Replies: 22
Views: 34282

Re: Is Search still worth it?

It sure would be interesting for someone with access to Search, Schrole and maybe GRC or Teacher Horizons to actually harvest the data and then make a direct comparison to see how many posts really are ONLY on Search. I can say that for my specific field, I would estimate that they don't really account for more than 15, maybe 20%. If I have time later I might do the math just as an educational exercise...
by chemteacher101
Sun Dec 01, 2019 5:20 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Is Search still worth it?
Replies: 22
Views: 34282

Re: Is Search still worth it?

As someone currently looking for a job and with an active account with multiple platforms:

ISS-Schrole: It's inexpensive ($75 for full access, free if you go directly to a specific's school profile to apply), and there are some good schools there. That being said, I've been active since September, and I see WAY more posts on Search than on Schrole. Also, there's some overlap (many Schrole schools are also posting on Search).

TIE Online: I used to like it, but this time around, I see many "dodgy" schools, and everything I've seen in decent schools has also been posted in other platforms. IT is cheap, though ($39)

TES: Absolutely free. Mostly British schools.

Teacher Horizons: I'm liking this one a lot. It's free to use, and I've seen a good amount of decent schools posting here (some Tier 1s even). Mostly it's links that go directly to the school's vacancies website (and you apply directly by yourself). If you have a full profile with references, there are some schools that pay for their services, and for which you can apply, and someone from Teacher Horizons "recommends" you directly to the principal of that school. My old school actually used this service and it seemed to work. I've seen here many postings that are also on Search and/or Schrole.

Search Associates: Search has the best database. And by this I mean not the amount of (mostly "decent" or "semi-decent") schools, but also the fact that you get some useful figures on a school's profile (number of students, teachers, percentage of host students, number of nationalities, salary information with estimated savings, etc). I know that some of these things may not be 100% accurate all the time because schools self-report, but the truth is that most of the times the information is accurate enough. The cost is very high: $225
..............
My own conclusion:

It depends. Both me and my partner are teachers. We had to cough up $450 for Search, as they require both parts of a teaching couple to register. That is, I believe, more than what Search is worth (given there are many alternatives). Search's database is the best, no question about that. However, I don't think I will pay that again, ever...

As a teaching couple, we probably would have been fine if we had just paid $75 for Schrole (only one part of the couple needs to have the full account) and supplemented it with TES, Teacher Horizons or maybe even GRC (I haven't really looked into this, but from what I can tell it is also free).

If I were single: maybe I would pay for Search, and I would probably not bother with any other platform (simply because they have enough schools and jobs that there would not really be a need).

One more note: I don't like that Search is also very picky (depending on the associate). Some associates will pretty much force you to ask a specific line manager within your school to be your reference or not allow you to register or reactivate your account (happened to a colleague of mine). They also close your account as soon as you get a job. I know that the reasoning is that you are no longer looking for a job, but still... As long as you don't breach a signed contract I don't see why they have to lock you out as soon as you get a job. If you have been with them for a while, and you have many references, they actually choose which of your references are actually visible to recruiters. So if you have 15 references, they might only choose 5, and you don't get to choose. They will say that they will choose the ones that they believe best represent your work or whatever, but I personally feel this is just... I don't know, I can't help but feel it sounds very subjective. I understand that lately they also try to charge schools placement fees if you are a Search candidate, independently of whether you applied or were hired through Search. I.e. if a school uses Search and Schrole, and you saw the ad and applied through Schrole, they will still charge the school because you are a Search candidate.

All in all, I simply am not entirely comfortable with the way they do things and do feel that their only "plus" is having a better database that has more info than just vacancies. Is it worth $225? Maybe for a single person, and that's "maybe". For a teaching couple, I would not consider it simply because it's too much money.

Anyway, that's my two cents.
by chemteacher101
Wed Oct 30, 2019 6:59 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Teaching in india
Replies: 8
Views: 11498

Re: Teaching in india

@Heliotrope

Too bad this forum does not allow for direct messaging. If you don't mind, can you share a bit more about what you've heard regarding Bangalore? One school there seems to have several postings and resource-wide it looks like it has a nice campus. What was it that drove them out of Bangalore? City or school?
by chemteacher101
Mon Oct 21, 2019 6:14 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Teaching in india
Replies: 8
Views: 11498

Teaching in india

Without naming schools, as to not break the rules on this side of the forum, what are your thoughts on teaching in India?

What about any differences between cities? Say Mumbai vs New Delhi Vs Bangalore? General quality of schools (without naming names) in each one of these cities?

Any thoughts on savings potential for a teaching couple in India, each one with say a 45K USD per year salary (not taxed)? Any significant difference in potential savings between the three previously mentioned cities?

Thanks
by chemteacher101
Mon Oct 21, 2019 6:10 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: What to ask a potential employer
Replies: 3
Views: 7711

What to ask a potential employer

I'm pretty sure there used to be an old thread where people contributed questions they ask potential employers. Does anyone have a link to it by any chance? Or if not, would anyone care to share things you would ask a school when interviewing and considering employment?
by chemteacher101
Sat Sep 14, 2019 2:48 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: DC Administrative license. How long does it take?
Replies: 8
Views: 8821

Re: DC Administrative license. How long does it take?

Update, in case anyone else is interested: I successfully applied and was granted the provisional 2-year credential via a NACES evaluation of my M.Ed. and the forms evidencing my teaching experience. Once I sent all info and paid, it took them literally 2 days for them to process! It's a bit scary how easier it is to get an administrative credential than a teaching license...
by chemteacher101
Mon Aug 19, 2019 7:23 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: DC Administrative license. How long does it take?
Replies: 8
Views: 8821

Re: DC Administrative license. How long does it take?

Mmmm interesting. Even if I have right now over 10 years of full time teaching experience, I would need 2 "new" years? Or if I currently have 10+ years of FTE could I first get the initial one and then take the exams and apply for the full credential at some point in the next 2 years?

The short version in intention: I am currently on sabbatical finishing some studies, but will try to get a leadership position for 2020-2021. I assume having the initial credential would make me a bit more marketable and since jobs are being posted right now, this would be faster than attempting to get the standard one. If I get a job, I was hoping that I would be able to apply for the standard one in two years time, given I have already over 10 years of FTE experience.

However, if my experience wouldn't count and I would need 2 more "new" years of experience that would change things as I would only have one new year of experience by (i.e) September 2021...
by chemteacher101
Sun Aug 18, 2019 11:31 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: DC Administrative license. How long does it take?
Replies: 8
Views: 8821

Re: DC Administrative license. How long does it take?

Thanks.
About the full time teaching experience: out if curiosity really, how recent? Do you have to currently be working? Could it be that you worked as a full time teacher a few years ago? They don't seem to specify anything other than the fact that you need 2 years of full time experience...
by chemteacher101
Sun Aug 18, 2019 11:11 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: DC Administrative license. How long does it take?
Replies: 8
Views: 8821

DC Administrative license. How long does it take?

Hi. I'm interested in applying to the DC administrative credential (as I understand, having teaching experience and a Master's degree would meet requirements for the provisional tyoe. However, my education was not carried out in the US. Assuming I already have a NACES evaluation of my credentials, would anyone know how long does it take to apply and receive a response/get this license?
by chemteacher101
Wed Aug 24, 2016 3:14 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Best alternative for Managebac?
Replies: 2
Views: 7757

Best alternative for Managebac?

My school uses Managebac. Like many other schools that use Managebac, we find it far from ideal.

Can anyone share any other experiences with online platforms that allow schools to easily document MYP curriculum, share grades online (using the MYP criteria, not calculating averages and such)? Any good alternatives out there?

Any experiences using things like Powerschool, Veracross or similar in an MYP setting?
by chemteacher101
Mon Aug 31, 2015 2:34 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Any good schools in Europe? Some are pretty bad!
Replies: 7
Views: 12652

Re: Any good schools in Europe? Some are pretty bad!

Thanks for your opinion Psyguy. I can tell you, the one I work at is no trust school; independently owned and run, but still far from many schools I have been to. Technically not a for-profit, but as we all know, some non-profits are really driven by profit.

I am aware most of the elite schools finish hiring by December/January. However given that in many parts of Europe teachers (by law) can pretty much decide not to renew their contract with only 3 months in advance, in my region at least schools don't find out about who is leaving until late (and again by law they cannot ask teachers before to make a decision). I know of quite a few schools in my particular region of Europe that post vacancies then, as many teachers will not necessarily let their schools know before that time...

I guess now my question is: what are some of those elite schools? IS Zurich? IS of Prague? International School of Amsterdam?

And when exactly do these schools advertise? A friend of mine went to Vienna International School and got his job around February or March... But I have no idea if that is normal for these schools or not...
by chemteacher101
Thu Aug 27, 2015 2:37 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Any good schools in Europe? Some are pretty bad!
Replies: 7
Views: 12652

Any good schools in Europe? Some are pretty bad!

After several years around different parts of the globe I am now in Europe (Scandinavia). I have been here for 3 years now, and I have to say I am very surprised by the things I have seen. Here is my background: when I was growing up, my parents moved a lot (internationally). As a result of that, I attended private international schools in different parts of the world. Most of them had impressive resources and great teachers; so when I think of the words "International school", that is what comes to my mind.

I arrived 3 years ago to Scandinavia and I have been surprised by schools here. Contrary to what some people believe, there are private schools in Denmark, Sweden and Norway (in some cases the state pays the school, but so do parents, even if just a little). However, these schools all seem to have very limited resources, with buildings and technology available not being even close to any of the big international schools in other regions. Most teachers seem to be here not by choice, but simply because they are married to a local and could not find another job. Academics are very very low, PD opportunities are somewhat limited, and it really seems as most schools in this region are stuck in the 90s (and by that I mean old-style teaching, no technology, etc). This is not just my school; I have had the chance to meet different teachers working in schools in Norway, Denmark and Sweden and it seems a pretty consistent experience.

I am now thinking of leaving at the end of this year. The problem is I do want to stay in Europe, but I don't want to switch from this school to a similar school. I am now wondering: what are some good schools in Europe? Good means a different thing for different people, so here is my wish list:
1. Good academics (not being forced to inflate grades)
2. Good resources (good classrooms, good class size, access to technology, PD, etc)
3. Decent pay (both me and my wife are teachers, so hopefully something that allows us to live Ok and save a little).
4. Organized and stable (a school that already has procedures and policies in place with a stable leadership).
5. At a country that allows the school to hire non-EU passport holders, where me not being an EU citizen is not an issue.

Any ideas? Countries to look at? Specific schools?
by chemteacher101
Tue Nov 18, 2014 2:55 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Sinarmas World Academy
Replies: 16
Views: 42715

Re: Sinarmas World Academy

If you look at the reviews on the paid section of the site you will find some info. I know someone who worked there, and having heard his story, I would not consider even interviewing for that school....