[quote="ed"]thanks for the link.
i'm hoping that i can get a "to-do" list of actions once i arrive. with so many talented teachers competing for jobs, how can i at least ensure an interview with my top 5 choices?[/quote]

Actually the best way to ensure that is to do the work before you get to the fair. Ideally you will have targeted schools and positions that are a good match with your qualifications and experiences and contacted them via email and Search account (and pointing out that you will be attending the fair and hope to interview). Hopefully at least some of those schools will have responded back prior to the fair or at worst will have a message waiting for you when you arrive that you should be sure to stop by at interview sign up. If none of them have, then it's not over, but you will be fighting an uphill battle.

If there is a mixer prior to sign up, try and meet the people from the schools you are interested in. At the sign up, wait in line and try and sell yourself and get an interview slot. Many schools will have their shortlists already made by then, but I know people that have talked their way into an interview and then interviewed themselves into a job.

I am the last one to defend anyone that expects every country to be like the US (or Canada, many Canadians I have taught with have been worse about this than the Americans) . I have taught in Egypt, Japan and now China and was quite pleased that things were very different.

I think the point you miss is that many of the complaints here and in the reviews (if you have shelled out the big bucks) are not about expecting things to be like the US. They are mostly about being lied to by employers, being treated unprofessionally by administrators, having your money stolen by greedy owners and being pressured to give grades that were not earned because the parent has power and privledge. What part of any of that has anything to do with your rant about being guests and if we don't like it there's the airport.

Have you managed to start a family in all of your travels? If so, you would know what it's like to accept a job and move your family around the world only to find that you have been lied to and cheated.

Please save your disdain for those that actually do compare everything about a new country to where they came from and complain when it doesn't measure up (yet still want to reap the financial benefits and enjoy the cheap cost of living). There are those that actually deserve it.

My first rection to this question is always Yes, it's still worth it. The school information, the searchable database and the ability to be in the database that schools can work from makes Search a great resource even if you are not going to a fair.

In your case, since you're only interested/able to apply to schools in one city, it's not as clearcut. You can certainly apply to schools directly, but not all schools list openings on their websites. You could be at an advantage with some schools thinking you will have stability and a support system in place with your husband's job, but then again some schools may feel like if his job changes, then they risk losing you mid-year (depending on his job).

I don't know if the PM feature is working here or not. But if you tell me the city (and your teaching area), I'm happy to give you the rundown on the schools and the job openings right now.

Hi:

You sound like a fine fit for DoDDS, but getting in with them is like hitting the lottery. You can't win if you don't play, but don't hold your breath or plan a life around it.

As for int'l schools, there are some schools that don't like to pay housing and airfare for two dependents on one teacher contract, but there are plenty that will. Bottom line is if they want you, they will do it. If you have math or science certification, that would be a plus. If not, you still have a great shot.

Many schools in China would be likely to cover your husband and daughter if they are really interested in you.

Hi:

You are a disadvantage with only one year of teaching experience (and that not in a public school or international school). That being said, all it takes is to be at the right place at the right time (or have your email/CV cross someone's desk at the right time). Your having lived and taught overseas for at least a year is a positive.

Keep applying and sending out emails. You may want to consider a recruiter, but Search used to require two years exp. to register. Do your research and target a lot of second tier schools. You may want to give the rest of Asia a close look. Beijing has been great so far and there are a ton of solid, well-paying schools here.

Good luck and feel free to ask any specific questions.

1. Some good “get your foot in the doorâ€

Hi:

I'm a SPED teacher and have taught in the US, Egypt, Japan and now, China. Bascially, the vast majority of international schools do hire SPED teachers, but mainly to do learning support or resource work so your experience will be very relevant.

Also, one dependent is very doable for virtually all schools, a non-teaching spouse will be a slight disadvantage, but still workable. The fact that your child will not need tuition right away is a plus.

My wife was just hired by a school in Beijing that had no problem offering tuition for our son and travel, housing etc for all of us (I'm teaching at a different school that didn't offer as many benefits).

The TA certificate couldn't hurt, but then again the school may or may be interested in committing to hiring your husband. Schools do use TA's but they are generally local hires. Depending on where you go, he may be better off doing a TESOL course and teaching English.

You should defintely join a recruiting service (I've used Search Associates and been pretty happy). They can be a wealth of info. on salary, benefits, savings potential etc and really help you decide whether a school/city is a reasonable choice for you and your family.

Good luck and let me know if I can answer any specific questions.

It's just you, Missy. But as someone said, it's natural to have anxieties, or to even seesaw back and forth from despair to a fantasy about teaching at the top school of your choice and saving most of your generous salary.

My wife and I had been back in the states for two years and were desperate to get back overseas and often debated how hard or easy it would be. In the end, we both were offered positions with great schools/packages in China (without even attending a job fair!).

So, do your research, prepare as best you can, send out a lot of CV's and attend a fair if you need to. There will be a ton of jobs at good schools.

Heya Kelbel:

As a wise man once said, most schools and especially most top tier schools are always interested in teaching couples that fill their needs.

The list for fairs with Search is mostly set, but there will always be a number of schools that drop out or get added as it gets closer.

Oh, and you've got mail.

D

Europe is considered a top destination by many, so competition will be tough. Also, schools know they do not have to offer top packages to attract top teachers (scraping by in Europe seems much more romantic than scraping by in Korea).

You should join Search as they have extensive information on all those schools on your list (benefits, tuition for dependents, make up of staff/residents, taxes, savings potential etc) that will help you to sift through the schools you want to target. Actual tuition fees should be available on most websites. Or you can just email the admissions dept. under a different name (shrugs, do what you gotta do).

The IB course couldn't hurt but may not help. If the school really wants IB experience, there are many candidates with actual IB experience.

I have seen people hired when their dependents came to the fair and when they stayed home, so it shouldn't be a dealbreaker if you go yourself to save money. Actually, don't lock into London. Check out the schools that go to Cambridge. Should be a bunch on your list and cheaper to get to and stay at.

Good luck!

My Search associate never did anything for me that I could tell. For me the benefit of SA was being in their database (that schools could and did search), having access to their information on schools, salaries etc and being elegible to go to job fairs.

I think anyone serious about teaching overseas should invest in one of the major organizations just to have the information they can share. That being said, my wife and I both got our current jobs in Beijing by sending out CV's and emails outside of SA or the fairs.

Search Associates' school information database has the best and most detailed information on salary, package, student make-up, savings potential etc.

The vast majority of schools are in the database and its searchable by country, position opening, which job fairs schools are attending etc.

Even if you don't go to a Search fair, its worth joining to be in their candidate database (that can lead to unsolicited offers from schools) and to have access to the schools' details.

My experience has been different. I have worked in Int'l schools as a special education teacher in Egypt, Japan and now China. Join Search Associates, you'll get job updates every day from schools looking for some type of special education teacher. Most of them are learning support, resource etc, but still. This also includes all of the large/top schools. There are a limited number of positions at each school, but many, many schools will be looking.

TES has job listings. Search Associates has better listing and information but requires a membership.

Research areas of the world you are interested in and visit school websites directly. Send them a CV. It can't hurt.

Hi:

I was praising SA, but I can also say that in 5 years, other than telling me my paperwork was in order, registering me for job fairs when I have requested it and telling me how much money I owe her, my agent has never actually helped me to get a job.