Has anyone ever taught in Armenia?
What are the students like?

There is a cool little IB school near Montezuma - I'm not asking about the school, I'm asking about cost of living in and around Montezuma. Has anyone lived near there?

Seriously - do the interview, especially if its all new to you; it will give you experience with the skype interview process and you will definitely hear questions you did not anticipate.

Since you are new to international school teaching let me tell you: accept all interviews and sign all contracts. Its the ABCs of international school teaching: Always Be signing Contracts.

Don't even worry about it.

Magnifyer wrote:
> They have said they will ghost the last few months though,
>

Is this an actual thing?
Do heads of school "ghost"references?

wrldtrvlr123 wrote:
> If there are are legitimate concerns or issues about the class, your teaching etc.
> then the principal should be working with you on that. Legitimate does not mean
> one student does not like you, misses the other teacher etc.
>
> And yes, the letter should start with an apology for ditching your class.

Excellent advice as always wrldtrvlr123 - it gives me a good way to frame any future discussions with my principal about this issue.

I had a grade 12 HL math student tell me that she was going to the bathroom, left and never came back. I've been working hard to accomodate this student because I think she really liked the teacher I replaced.

Anyway, I told my principal and he threw it back on me to an extent. He is going to have her write me a letter explaining why student is frustrated with the class and what student would like to see me do to improve the class. Basically for this students benefit, I already created and acted on a math grade 12 student feedback form. My principal feels if this student isn't dealt with, it could not only poison my role in the class but with all my other grade level (10th and 11th) students.

I'm going to comply but I'm starting to feel irritated. If a student gets frustrated and walks out of class, wouldn't a detension be a better idea?

In my experience, you will get more offers as an IB/A-level math teacher than as an IB/A-level physics teacher, although there are always plenty of job teaching physics.

I have to agree with PsyGuy about libraries - they are fast becoming obsolete and could be replaced by a good, reliable internet connection. In fact, half the time they aren't even called libraries; they are called learning centers. Although I still prefer holding a book over a kindle, other than assigned reading or text work, I never see my students carrying a book.

International School of Curitiba in Brazil is big into readers/writers workshop.
They just had a 1 week conference here with some guru in the field.

Yes - you definitely can. I have a PhD in physics and was able to get jobs at good tier 2 schools in Taiwan, China, HK, Thailand and Vietnam. However my option really opened up once I got the teaching license but in the short term, a PhD in physics and teaching experience will get you a job in Asia teaching physics or math.

As an Arkansan, I was raised with the notion that all employment is at-will so my advice is do everything possible to secure that vital good reference and move on.

Regarding the term tourist - teacher, I think I was right all along not just because no tourist is going to stay in anyone place for 2 years but because I actually googled it and got just what I thought: tourist teachers only stick around for months, not years: https://teachertourist.com/ Maybe I'm like a travelling teacher but I'm certainly not a tourist teacher.

Also hitting you stride after 3 years, really? Is a reset button hit every time you start a new contract? If a teacher has a string of ten 2-year contracts, then he has hit his stride during the second contract, going by the 3 - year rule anyway.

PsyGuy wrote:
> @Doctor
>
>
> Two years and done your value neutral to an IS, but if an IS wanted value positive
> they would offer only longer contracts. Again, 1) You complete your contract. 2)
> Have a positive reference. 3) Have a reasonable response for the movement in an
> interview, then your fine.
>

It's hard to dispute this point: if the IS wants to ensure value - added they should offer three year contracts. I would sign sign a 3 year contract if I liked the school.

expatscot wrote:
> I'm really confused.
>
> Why would you give an ungraded test back to students? Even the best student
> would be tempted to change something - especially if you are going over it
> with them. Surely it's a complete no-no?!
>
> I have to say that I'm not surprised the HoD went ballistic - I would too.
> In fact, in some schools this would be a disciplinary matter.
>
> If I were you, I'd do to the letter whatever the HoD wants you to do. You
> are going to have to deal with student and parent pushback and complaints
> on this and it will be really difficult for the school to defend you, I'm
> afraid.

Yes, it was a big mistake.