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by Thames Pirate
Sun Feb 27, 2022 5:52 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Years of IB Experience for Top Tier Schools
Replies: 50
Views: 88172

Re: Years of IB Experience for Top Tier Schools

Just to be clear, there are not actually formalised definitions or percentages for Top Tier. "Elite" is a PsyGuy term. The top tier schools are those which, over time, have been known to pay well / have good packages, offer career opportunities, require hard work but still allow a good work-life balance, offer good working conditions, are truly international. If that sounds vague, it's because it is. Individual preferences may vary. Also, schools fluctuate over time. Tier 1s tend to be consistently considered the best, and of course there is disagreement as to what the comparison is, too--"the best" compared to other schools? Schools within a region? By pay? Programming? Most Tier 1 schools would have thriving programs across a range of areas, but having thriving programming generally doesn't mean a school is Tier 1. Schools in which you teach and go home are different from schools in which you are expected to work 10 hour days and show up for performance nights with great regularity. So there is no single definition.

The main school in Dhaka, for example, is by all accounts a neat place--very collegial, organised, lots to offer--but you are living in Dhaka, which isn't for everyone! Frankfurt is another example where the main school ticks all the boxes except savings potential, which by virtue of being in Europe, is limited; it stacks up very well against other ISs in Europe, but you can't save the way you would at most big Asian schools. The top ISs in Africa often only show up if the list is regional. A great school might not make the list because it is for-profit or full of mostly local students.

Finally, there are personal considerations that make small, relatively unknown schools Tier 1 in most regards without their names ever showing up on anyone's radar. A small city might have a school that offers a smaller pay package than the main school in the capital, but the cost of living is so much lower that it actually allows for more savings. It might not have the major programming, but it is sufficient and allows for more independence and freedom in teaching. It might not have the prestige, but it has the lifestyle. It doesn't have the infrastructure, but it has solid, consistent, and effective leadership. So one man's Tier 1 is another man's horror show and vice versa.

But for the purposes of this type of forum or context, there are schools that are generally considered Tier 1. You can find lists and discussions of individual schools on the paid side.

Tier 2 are generally those which are generally truly international, very good, but maybe have had some systemic problems, are newer and lack the prestige, or simply don't pay as much. They are solid schools, often scratching at being listed or on-again-off-again on the list of Tier 1s or simply unable to measure up to the competitor in the same city. Or maybe they are in locations that tend to be less desirable.

Tier 3s are often ISs in name only or real horror shows. But many of them are also only too small, too local, or too poor to make the higher tiers and can be great places to work depending on an individual's needs and wants.

There is no master list. There is no agreed upon definition. There is no Tier 4 and no Elite Tier. There is a lot of subjectivity. And therefore there are no set hiring criteria or even measurable trends. But there are schools which are generally known to be "top," and of course these tend to require a bit more and be harder to get into, especially in competitive subjects. That's all.
by Thames Pirate
Wed Jan 12, 2022 3:34 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Job Ad Posting Question
Replies: 4
Views: 11323

Re: Job Ad Posting Question

D) HR at that school doesn't have their ducks in a row.
by Thames Pirate
Mon Nov 01, 2021 9:09 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Vaccination and other issues.
Replies: 54
Views: 170095

Re: Vaccination and other issues.

I have the job I want and am unlikely to be looking in the near future or to need a leg up. But think what you want if it makes it easier for you to write off the actual substance of what I am saying. Or take umbrage at the language I used so you can ignore the substance of what I said. Whatever helps you sleep, I guess. You are entitled to feel what you want.

I was willing to be patient to a point as people wanted to wait a few months or wanted a few more published studies. We're there now. There is, for almost all of us, no rational reason not to get vaccinated. There is only an emotional one (people being "unsure" or "feeling unsafe" or what have you).

I get that. I do. People are entitled to their emotions, and those emotions are valid. But your (generic you) emotions lead to actions (or inactions) which have consequences for the rest of us. There is (for the overwhelming majority of us) only an emotional reason not to get vaccinated. When that emotional reasoning causes harm to others, you should expect pushback. Since refusing vaccination causes continued risk to those who cannot actually get vaccinated--particularly many of our students--it is no longer a matter of personal choice, but one of collective action. The international school community has opted for collective action in requiring vaccines. Our choices are to put collective and individual well being first or to stick to some arbitrary principle based on emotions over science. If that's your choice, you are within your rights to refuse vaccination and to refuse to provide required information. But choices have consequences.
by Thames Pirate
Sun Oct 31, 2021 6:16 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Vaccination and other issues.
Replies: 54
Views: 170095

Re: Vaccination and other issues.

I seriously wonder about the logic of some posters. Any argument about veganism, travel choices, etc. has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with Covid vaccination. Nothing. "If you really cared about" is not relevant and is an attempt to shift the conversation.

There are three considerations when talking about whether people should get the vaccine: Personal safety, collective safety, and personal choice. The science on both personal and collective safety comes down on the side of getting vaccinated for almost all people. That only leaves personal choice. For this the discussion falls into "liberty" (whether or not we have the right to choose to ignore personal and collective safety), "religion" (my deity told me to reject all needles or something), and "selfish a*****e" (I don't wanna because something on the internet makes me want to ignore personal and collective safety). Since liberty is well established for most of us--most of us are able to reject getting vaccinated if we so choose, though of course that choice does have consequences--and I don't really know of ACTUAL religions that are fundamentally opposed to modern science and medicine, though of course there may be some--we are left with the "selfish a*****e" people who simply don't want to get vaccinated and then use arguments like liberty and religion to justify their choices. In order to save face, they might also try to attack the well-established personal and collective safety. Thus the inane arguments about ARR, stupid conspiracies about microchips or infertility, etc.

In short, the only reason for the overwhelming majority of those choosing not to get vaccinated is "selfish a*****e," and if a school, recruiter, or country wants to exclude those people, I have no problem with it.
by Thames Pirate
Fri Oct 29, 2021 12:19 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Vaccination and other issues.
Replies: 54
Views: 170095

Re: Vaccination and other issues.

If we have to be divided between those who understand science and those who try to give crackpot theories equal footing with science, well, I am happy to be divided. Not all views are equally valid or worthy of the same respect. If that is divisive, I am okay with that. I am all for respecting people's right to make idiotic choices, and I am all for respecting people as fellow human beings in spite of their idiotic choices, but don't expect me to respect the idiotic choice itself. And when an idiotic choice puts others at risk, don't expect me to stay silent on the issue.
by Thames Pirate
Mon Oct 18, 2021 11:43 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Questions about timing
Replies: 27
Views: 43718

Re: Questions about timing

Those two things are, surprisingly, no longer required. While I understand the need to grow your pool of examiners, I also found it weird that it was so open. That said, it can work to a candidate's advantage in a case like this as the graders ARE still the ones with insider information (already familiar with the IBIS system, the expectations of the assessments, and the subject reports, for example). A grader may not be as familiar with the ATLs or Learner Profile, but that is often jargon for things good teachers are doing anyway. An IB teacher is just a (hopefully good) teacher who has taught the assigned curriculum to prepare for the assigned assessments. All the philosophical stuff is what a good teacher with AP experience is hopefully mostly doing; the rest is simply frame working and jargon, and let's face it--the assessments are what is different and requires some training.

The "how do I structure my course so my students score well" question is what an experienced IB teacher already can answer, while an AP teacher can answer the question for AP. Both would have content knowledge and pedagogical experience, and a good teacher would already help students become inquirers, risk-takers, etc. Both would come from a place of developing critical thinking skills while still helping kids learnt he nuts and bolts of passing the exam in question. So it is familiarity with the exam in question that is a big part of the "how do I structure my course." Sure, it isn't the same thing as teaching the course and knowing how many of the literary works need to be in translation or that an IA should address one of several core concepts, but ultimately it means you as an AP teacher know what will be asked of students in the IB.

So if you can become a grader, it can help, as sid said. If you can't, you can still familiarise yourself with the overall program and with the subject guide for your subject (for free!) so you can address it in your application / interview. And you can always take the online course, which may or may not actually familiarise you with the program, but gives you a nice piece of paper. Or you can do all three. Or none. Completely up to you. If I had to pick one of the three, I would probably pick the grading.
by Thames Pirate
Sun Oct 17, 2021 3:00 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: All is quiet
Replies: 12
Views: 20318

Re: All is quiet

Like I said, it was mostly musings--but I guess the takeaway is that the answer is "it depends." I fully agree about teaching and admin being reactive and the whole system being an obsolete model, though that was never anything I addressed or about the topic of recruiting peaks and valleys. I was more musing on the "quiet" being about the shifts in the timeline. I do think, however, that it will take a few more years to "normalise"--whether that's the old model or something different.
by Thames Pirate
Sun Oct 17, 2021 2:55 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Questions about timing
Replies: 27
Views: 43718

Re: Questions about timing

We all knew PsyGuy was going to disagree with me simply because I made the statement.

OP, it's an option, and it is one likely to help more than the course. You also get paid for marking, so it may be something you want to do regardless. Or do both. Or neither. Your call. PsyGuy is going to argue, regardless of what anyone says, simply because it's me. No need for you to get involved in that ugliness or for us to drag this thread back into the mythical Japanese horseback teacher territory (ancient, deleted thread that was about PsyGuy wanting to claim I was wrong simply because it was me making the statements). Do what you will with the advice or wait for opinions from someone on here who is an actual administrator and recruiter ( maybe sid?) and not the stealth fair crasher (another ancient thread).

At the end of the day recruiting is about maximising your marketability and finding the right recruiter with the right opening at the right moment. Jobs can be simple math of "years of experience" or meeting someone in an elevator. There is no one-size approach.
by Thames Pirate
Sat Oct 16, 2021 12:08 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: All is quiet
Replies: 12
Views: 20318

Re: All is quiet

Agree with all of the above--it REALLY depends. There seems to be some serious consolidation in many places. I think most schools saw numbers fluctuate wildly from patterns as people were less likely to move on to the next posting last year. Just like many international teachers, many international workers decided to return home or were recalled--and as things went digital, I think the demand for moving overseas may temporarily shrink. Travel restrictions made people realise the value of being close to home. So yes, I think the field will shrink slightly. It will take a few years--I am thinking four or more--to really rebound to pre-Covid demand for ITs globally.

In terms of movement within those already in IT, I think it is going to also take a few years to settle. Last year people wanted to stay put because of the uncertainty. There was probably less movement over this past summer than in previous years. As things loosen, those who had itchy feet but were hunkering down may want to start moving--but of course there has to be somewhere for them to go.

What I wonder most is how the timeline of recruiting will change. The creep of getting earlier and earlier was troubling in my view. There seems to be a push from some schools to start earlier and earlier--but is this sustainable? And if the trend becomes that you line up your position a full year before moving--say the summer/early fall of the year before you move--will that make people in good schools gun shy? And when new leadership comes in, how hard will it be for them to make decisions on who stays or goes--and how will that impact their ability to attract and retain good staff? Will the timeline spread out regionally? Or could it consolidate back to the Jan-Mar window that used to be the norm? Obviously, visa processes will play a role here.

And of course there are the pockets of lots of movement that can create opportunities for some teachers to move into schools where they might not have formerly been considered, which might have a trickle down effect years down the line ("Oh, you taught at X?"--even if the teacher was awful at X and they were just grateful to have a warm body, they are now competitive on paper).

Anyway, not really a clear answer. Just some musings.
by Thames Pirate
Sat Oct 16, 2021 11:52 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Questions about timing
Replies: 27
Views: 43718

Re: Questions about timing

IB grader is not a substitute for IB teacher; nobody is saying it is. But given that the OP is not an IB teacher and wants to maximise their opportunities and appeal, this is a great option and certainly better than taking the stupid online course.

IB grader vs. not an IB grader--to a recruiter, it is a world of difference. The former knows what the IB wants and, when coupled with solid AP experience, is someone who can prepare students for the exam. At least to a recruiter. The other option is to simply say "I taught AP, I know nothing about the IB, and you can just trust that I can make the transfer." Most of us know that making the switch isn't hard, that good teaching is good teaching, and that there are really great teachers with no IB experience just as there are really awful IB teachers. Most reasonable recruiters know this, too--but they also need to hire the person who is the most likely to be a successful teacher and a good fit for their school. The fit is not always something in our control, but the more ways we can show a recruiter that we are able to do what will be asked of us, the better.

So yes, IB grader is yet another way you can demonstrate that you will be just fine with the switch from AP to IB. It's another way you can demonstrate that you are a low risk if you are asked to teach IB.

And some recruiters actually really love having IB graders.
by Thames Pirate
Fri Oct 15, 2021 12:49 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: How do ISs compare to schools back home (for students)?
Replies: 6
Views: 9920

Re: How do ISs compare to schools back home (for students)?

I taught at a domestic school that was internationally focused. It had one of the best-designed curriculums, both within the IBDP and for the pre-DP, that I have ever seen. While the students were mostly domestic, the program was designed around international-mindedness, and as such it attracted most of the students with international backgrounds (lived abroad, immigrant families, etc.) and those non-international students who wanted a better idea of their place in a global society and to better understand the world around them. The program was cohesive and created a tight-knit cohort. Teachers developed good relationships with students. It was amazing.

On paper, it looked no different from any other public school, and kids could take the full DP, select DP courses, or do none of the exams and just get a regular US high school diploma. But while they may not have had 50 nationalities and 32 mother tongues, they received a more cohesive, globally-focused, and intellectually challenging education than many or even most ISs provide. This in spite of the large class sizes of 30 or more, the overcrowded and under-resourced classrooms, and the highly overworked but committed and enthusiastic staff having to make concessions to what was reasonable.

That said, education is also what you put into it. I think you CAN attend a bottom school, public or private, and get a fantastic education. You can also coast or squeak through the best of schools.

There is no simple or single answer to the question.
by Thames Pirate
Thu Oct 14, 2021 2:57 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Questions about timing
Replies: 27
Views: 43718

Re: Questions about timing

One thing to consider instead of IB courses is becoming an IB grader. That would fill some of the IB knowledge gap in a recruiter's mind.

I find the online courses not worth much, but the in-person courses are great. So if you want to spend that kind of money and if you are confident you want to work in an IB school, feel free to do that--but it won't be worth much for recruiting purposes. You would need IB experience, not a course, for it to be worth anything. Better to get the job and let the school pay for the official training.
by Thames Pirate
Tue Sep 21, 2021 2:28 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: LinkedIn
Replies: 12
Views: 15637

Re: LinkedIn

Not a fan. I have an account that isn't very up to date, and I honestly never felt like I needed it. I tend to agree with Smokegreynblues about the nature of LinkedIn. Lots of jargon heavy self-promotion and people into the latest trends using beefy verbs to make normal jobs sound like they held some major leadership roles or special responsibilities. Recruiting ground for sycophant-seeking leadership with no budgets to find teachers willing to jump on board with their latest and ever-changing initiatives. If you are really lucky and a bit slick, you can lure someone from a job at a decent school to your fun-fest of a low-budget startup school by making them feel flattered for being headhunted.

I mean, sure, I connected with people on there just to keep my ear to the ground and my networking options open, but the users I know who post frequently are those types, and I have never heard of good schools using it.
by Thames Pirate
Sat Sep 11, 2021 11:32 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Countries/Cities with 100K savings
Replies: 47
Views: 59228

Re: Countries/Cities with 100K savings

Yep, that was a classic. When I put some questions to him that were not immediately answerable on Google, he somehow stalled out. I still laugh at that.