Search found 2138 matches

by shadowjack
Fri Jan 21, 2022 2:05 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Medical Insurance for Dependents Included in The Packages
Replies: 3
Views: 6168

Re: Medical Insurance for Dependents Included in The Packages

Unless the rest of the package was really good, I wouldn't work at a school which didn't offer insurance for my dependents. The school is hiring me as a package with my family - not just me.
by shadowjack
Tue Jan 11, 2022 2:48 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: New to The Game...
Replies: 64
Views: 216095

Re: New to The Game...

shopaholic wrote:
> What do you recruiters think of a 5-6-2-2?
>
> My past two schools have been disasters where I was very unhappy. But I do
> have the longer commitments at my first two schools and am looking for
> somewhere else I can stay longterm. Does having more recent 2-2 experience
> cancel out the earlier longer stays?

If those two are the from 2017 - 21 or 2018 - 22, then as Sid said earlier, I'd give you a pass. The schools themselves would also matter. But at this point there is no pattern, holistically speaking, for me to form a negative judgement, as the 2s are balanced by the other.
by shadowjack
Mon Jan 10, 2022 1:10 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: When is the recruiting season in the USA?
Replies: 8
Views: 9579

Re: When is the recruiting season in the USA?

Honestly, if you have target areas and schools, I would start looking around April. March is a bit early. It gives you time to get your stuff sorted so you can plan your international exit.

If you are looking at places like Alaska, they apparently used to (might still) do a state recruiting event.

Good luck!
by shadowjack
Mon Jan 10, 2022 1:09 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: New to The Game...
Replies: 64
Views: 216095

Re: New to The Game...

sid wrote:
> Wrong.
> Waste of time working at four low-tier schools in a row. You should move up
> a tier as often as possible (for those who want better schools), and if not
> after the first school, definitely after the second. Staying at that level
> for four schools tells recruiters that something is amiss. A good egg with
> potential moves up fast.


With you on this one Sid. I have had colleagues finally reach a decent school (mine!) who were going to leave after two years to find their dream job at school X, Y, or Z. I had to sit down and ask them why they thought that one of those schools would be interested after 2,2,2 and now 2, the first three positions all tier 3. "Well, I've now done this specialized position for a year..." hahahaha

After scoping them in on how the system works and why they would be going back to the type of school they just got out of, they stayed longer, and ended up at a tier 1 in South America. Funny how doing specialized position for 3 years with solid data to back up teaching, a vastly expanded understanding and glowing references built up over those years led to that...
by shadowjack
Mon Jan 10, 2022 1:03 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: New to The Game...
Replies: 64
Views: 216095

Re: Reply

PsyGuy wrote:
> @SJ
>

> @EyEyEy
>
> An IT with 2/2/2/2/2/2/2 doesnt care what the @Sids and @SJs would do with
> their application. This IT is a traveler they dont care about the tier or
> quality of the IS, theyre just looking for their next passport stamp. Its
> not like theres some magic line that five 2 year contracts is doable but a
> sixth nope, cant happen.

And that's why we take a pass and don't hire those teachers at schools where we are involved with the hiring process...and they stay in their bottom glass cage oblivious to the wide world of international education, and maybe wondering idly every now and then what it would be like to work at a school where students, rather than money, are the drivers for many decisions made.

Note that neither Sid nor I ever said they wouldn't get a contract SOMEWHERE - but the likelihood of it being a decent school as recognized by most experienced ITs is like your unicorn underwater basketweaving dressage flower arranging finding a job requiring all those skills.
by shadowjack
Tue Jan 04, 2022 2:38 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Policies on Friending Students
Replies: 7
Views: 9823

Re: Policies on Friending Students

Former students, former schools. Never my present school.

I am in touch with students as far back as 1996 and as recent as 2018. But never from a present school and never if I am in the same country.
by shadowjack
Tue Jan 04, 2022 2:34 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: New to The Game...
Replies: 64
Views: 216095

Re: New to The Game...

@Sid

Leaders and recruiters with an agenda.

Yup - my agenda is helping to hire people with a proven track record that INCLUDES longevity at schools they have worked at. Not looking at 2/2/2/2 with department head (LOL) and thinking "Wow, there's a good hire" especially if they have spent eight years at bottom-feeder schools. I look for upward trajectory and longevity, along with experience and background/other interests.

Hiring staff can be hit or miss. But you want a good variety of backgrounds, ages, and experience. But as I said above, I'll pass on the 2/2/2/2.

I would seriously look at a 3/6/2/2 given the history since 2019.

Sorry PG - there really is no other agenda here than the one I state above.
by shadowjack
Mon Dec 13, 2021 1:50 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: New to The Game...
Replies: 64
Views: 216095

Re: New to The Game...

FV2020 - absolutely. Given that 2019 to today was and STILL is crazy, the others carry weight too. 6 and 3 mean that in a normal circumstance, it is likely you will be with us for at least 3. Another 2 after that? Remains to be seen as more and more schools are fully face to face and the 'new normal' emerges.
by shadowjack
Mon Dec 13, 2021 9:16 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: New to The Game...
Replies: 64
Views: 216095

Re: New to The Game...

The issue is that I can find people with low-level leadership skills - EE Coordinator, CAS Coordinator, etc. But if they are 2, 2, 2, 2 then I will wait for the people who might not have those low-level skills, but stick around longer, because I can create opportunities for them to grow (and have). So the 2/2/2/2 with some upward trend is still someone more likely to leave after 2 years than someone who will stay, grow their skills, and make my school better.

PG can argue it's better, but it's not inspiring confidence in me as a recruiter at a decent school to take a flutter on that hire.
by shadowjack
Sun Dec 12, 2021 9:32 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Search Job Fair Demise
Replies: 38
Views: 55190

Re: Search Job Fair Demise

I think there are two issues here. 1 is the Search Fair. 2 is Search functionality. If you are only using Search for the fair, I think you are going about it the wrong way. I use Search primarily for its data base and daily updates. I try not to go to fairs.

As to your eyes glazing over, I know what you mean. I am seeing a ton of schools I have never heard of who are now using Search services. But that doesn't negate that the same schools as before are still using Search. But it is definitely an indication of how much China has been driving the teacher job market over the past twenty years.

But there are still top schools in SE Asia, Europe, Africa, the ME, and SA posting on Search. As many as in the past? I don't think so. But again, I also get the feeling from friends that many many people outside of China are choosing to stay put, which leads to fewer job postings. It's going to be two or three more years before a new 'normal' emerges.

Just my two halalas!
by shadowjack
Sat Dec 11, 2021 2:58 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Search Job Fair Demise
Replies: 38
Views: 55190

Re: Search Job Fair Demise

So I looked at one fair - there were 22 schools listed. I know of 18, and know folks who have worked at 10 of the 22. Personally, I would apply at 12 of them fairly happily.

Looked at the Global Fair running now - it specifically states it is for teachers NEW to International Teaching. There are 49 schools to talk to. Some of them are established, some are new. TBH - on Search's daily emails, I am seeing a TON of Chinese schools I have never heard of looking for staff. This is the result of China's lockdown. Schools that used to hire ESL/CELTA/TOEFL teachers are now having to hire certified teachers - OR, are now forced to expand how they search for their staff as China is really tough to get to these days.

The Bangkok Fair has 56 schools and I know of at least 36 of them. There are schools which might have been in Bangkok in person but are not at the virtual fair.

The London fair seems chock-a-block and it is in person.

In general, I am not seeing what you are seeing.
by shadowjack
Sat Dec 11, 2021 2:48 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: New to The Game...
Replies: 64
Views: 216095

Re: New to The Game...

Unsure, when I look at CVs I am looking for a few basics.

1. Have they taught the subject/program before. It is nice if you have actually taught Psychology in the DP, instead of teaching Social Studies in grade 7.

2. What schools have you been at? Do I know the admin or teachers there that I can, if interested, do an informal check on you?

3. How long is your average stay. Ideally I want to get a minimum of 3 years out of a new hire. Any more is gravy, any less is break even, but no net benefit to my school, programs, or students, because at any school the first year is learning how things work and teaching, learning the students, and the second year, if leaving, is a full time job to find a job on top of teaching.

So yes, a 3/3/3 or even a 2/2/3/3/ is better than a 2/2/2/2. The latter tells me that you have something going on - and that it might be better if I am not part of it. Or, you have only worked at not-very-good schools and haven't figured international education yet. That's a bit worrying to me. Or... if you did 2 years at a stellar school, that you had other issues that led the school to part ways with you. I remember a hire from a great Tier 1 Asian school to my school at the time - and they lasted a year before leaving. That led us to really evaluate potential hires who were 2 and done at a tier 1 moving forward...
by shadowjack
Wed Dec 08, 2021 9:03 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Effect of Brexit on WE teaching job market?
Replies: 18
Views: 42691

Re: Effect of Brexit on WE teaching job market?

angelica1981 wrote:

>
> I suppose it removes a slight advantage that pre-Brexit UK teachers might once have
> had, but it doesn't make securing an EU job impossible for UK teachers now. The
> schools need you and many schools are already accustomed to the work visa process and
> have business or HR members who have been handling those things for US teachers for
> years. They won't see UK teachers as suddenly undesirable now.


Except for the UK 'British School of...' that now has massive headaches, relatively speaking, recruiting staff when it was a doddle before...
by shadowjack
Wed Dec 08, 2021 9:02 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: UAE Weekend Change
Replies: 4
Views: 10026

Re: UAE Weekend Change

My bet, with mandated IB hours at DP, that they extend the school day. Given that you are losing some 70 days of instruction over 2 years, that is a huge chunk of time. And, given that it doesn't make sense to run buses for ES and MS but not HS, that will impact the other levels as well.
by shadowjack
Sat Dec 04, 2021 2:00 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Effect of Brexit on WE teaching job market?
Replies: 18
Views: 42691

Re: Effect of Brexit on WE teaching job market?

@PG - you take the original, until you can't. But if you can get the best alternative, you take that - or go under.