Search found 191 matches

by secondplace
Sun Jul 18, 2021 6:54 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Big fish in a small (Lower Tier 3) pond vs. small fish in a Big (Tier 1) Pond
Replies: 25
Views: 27768

Re: Big fish in a small (Lower Tier 3) pond vs. small fish in a Big (Tier 1) Pond

There does seem to be a divide between those Heads of School/Directors who like to promote internally and seek to offer opportunities to existing staff, and those who flat out refuse to and only want to hire from outside.

The former seems healthier to me - offering internal advancement opportunities, but also being open to external candidates.

The latter - only hiring externally seems a demoralising approach to me.
by secondplace
Sun Jul 11, 2021 1:39 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Non-contractual 'understandings' and changes
Replies: 19
Views: 16110

Re: Non-contractual 'understandings' and changes

@psygy

But you agree with the point that the school won't give or provide anything beyond what is in the contract.

And in this case that's the important point.

x
by secondplace
Fri Jul 09, 2021 2:05 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Non-contractual 'understandings' and changes
Replies: 19
Views: 16110

Re: Non-contractual 'understandings' and changes

Any conversations with the school will come back to what is in the contract.

Which you signed.

So, that's what they and you agreed to. If you're really unhappy with it then now is probably the time to back out but there could be consequences to that.

But would you rather work there under conditions you don't like or deal with the possible fallout?
by secondplace
Fri Jul 09, 2021 1:35 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: 2022-2023
Replies: 7
Views: 8615

Re: 2022-2023

Agree with much of what's been said before.

But I'm not sure that people are choosing to stick rather than twist - perhaps in smaller numbers, but certainly not as many as I'd expected. I've been surprised by the amount of movement - but maybe it's just more than the bare minimum I was expecting.

Maybe I'm just more cautious but I wouldn't be looking to move at the moment in these circumstances. Unless maybe it's the circumstances that are causing people to move?
by secondplace
Sun Jun 27, 2021 12:08 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Local vs. Overseas Hire in the EU
Replies: 19
Views: 22990

Re: Local vs. Overseas Hire in the EU

@angelica1981 - nope, @psyguy is right on this one.

Schools may wish to continue as though the UK is part of the EU. I might wish that.

The reality is that it's not and it's what governments decide, not what schools would prefer, that counts here.
by secondplace
Fri Jun 25, 2021 11:54 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Avoid Swiss boarding schools
Replies: 68
Views: 156733

Re: Avoid Swiss boarding schools

@psyguy

I'm not sure that stating the fact I get paid is the massive insult you perhaps think it is.

Especially given your massive altruistic streak seems rather well hidden.

xx
by secondplace
Thu Jun 24, 2021 1:45 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Avoid Swiss boarding schools
Replies: 68
Views: 156733

Re: Avoid Swiss boarding schools

@psyguy

It's okay to like your job and enjoy the money you earn from it. In fact, I'd say this what a lot of people hope for.

xx
by secondplace
Sat Jun 19, 2021 10:17 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Where in the World to Start?
Replies: 37
Views: 37436

Re: Where in the World to Start?

Don't rely on your VPN to get around the Great FireWall.

These are tolerated by the government but can be closed at any time.
by secondplace
Sat Jun 12, 2021 1:52 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Covid and Breaking New Contract
Replies: 20
Views: 17781

Re: Covid and Breaking New Contract

@whynot

I've re-read your initial post, and then re-read what I wrote, and I agree it comes across wrong.

My reply was aimed at this, from @psyguy:

That is utter bunk. If the COVID excuse is still valid for ISs to rescind their offers and contracts then its still valid for ITs to use in withdrawing acceptance of their contracts. The agencies feelings or rational, isnt really at issue. If COVID is an excuse for an IS its a valid excuse for an IT. Its nothing more than a leader fearmongering doom and gloom.

rather than addressing your actual post.

With that in mind can I say that you have a very difficult decision to make, but that clearly you need to keep yourself and your family safe. Be honest with the school and handle the situation openly and professionally.

Might it hurt you in the future? Maybe. But I suspect that late withdrawals and non-completion of contracts will be more widespread than normal and most of these blips will be put down to COVID.

Good luck making a decision you're happy with and that keeps you safe.
by secondplace
Sat Jun 12, 2021 4:58 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Covid and Breaking New Contract
Replies: 20
Views: 17781

Re: Covid and Breaking New Contract

@psyguy

Contracts aren't a suicide pact, agreed. They are however an agreement that both sides are obliged to honour.

And if one side, whichever that is, doesn't do that then are acting illegal and immorally.

The pandemic complicates things and individuals do need to choose and act carefully, and I would suggest that good schools are sensitive to this.

xx
by secondplace
Sat Jun 12, 2021 4:54 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Trends in international school counseling
Replies: 23
Views: 21271

Re: Trends in international school counseling

@psyguy

I'm comfortable with my views, based in my experience and the value I see effective counselors bring to schools.

I wish I could convince you, as I think that would be better for you and your students.

I know I won't be able to. And that's fine. I wish you and the students in your school well.

xxx
by secondplace
Fri Jun 11, 2021 3:08 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Avoid Swiss boarding schools
Replies: 68
Views: 156733

Re: Avoid Swiss boarding schools

@psyguy

Is there any any possibility you will start to, or perhaps learn to, spell and punctate accurately?

xx
by secondplace
Fri Jun 11, 2021 3:05 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Trends in international school counseling
Replies: 23
Views: 21271

Re: Trends in international school counseling

@psyguy

- Your inflating the importance of need, thats ego.

It's not my need. It's the needs of our students and the vital role counselors play in supporting them. I'm not a counselor, but I see the value of their work.

- Its not essential or important or a majority portion of a counselors tasking because you claim it to be so, your claims are not self authenticating.

Again, we have different views. Look at the replies from several people in this thread. They see immense value in good counselors in international schools. You don't. That's fine, but I do think you're wrong.

xx
by secondplace
Sat Jun 05, 2021 10:46 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: How many class periods per week do you have?
Replies: 29
Views: 39645

Re: How many class periods per week do you have?

sid wrote:
> I prefer hours to percentages. Percentage adds in another variable:
> percentage of what? Of a forty hour work week? Of a forty five hour work
> week? Of a thirty five hour work week?
> Or is it a percentage of the available teaching time, which is generally
> less than the total working hours?
> With straight-up hours, we see how much actual contact time people have.

This is true. The % comparison was useful, I felt, as we were looking at two different models for a new year in the same school.

As a way of comparing across schools then I agree that hours/minutes is more helpful.