Thanks for your help!

I got an email from a school in an area that I am really not interested in asking to meet with me at the Cambridge fair. How do I politely say thanks, but no thanks?

Thanks for the clarifications!

Hi everyone,
I have seen a couple postings for an ADMIN Director of Curriculum and Development. This position doesn't exist at my current school. I am curious - what is this position? In fact, there seems to be quite a number of different ADMIN positions in general on the Search Associates Job Search site. How is administration organized at an IS? In my US experience we just have an assistant principal(s) and a head principal.
Thanks

Thanks, PsyGuy. Didn't realize there were two fairs...I just knew that the Search fair was the big one. Newbie.

Good luck to everyone going this weekend!

Congrats, but I thought the Bangkok fair didn't start until tomorrow....

I have really enjoyed the fair diaries that have been posted from previous years. I hope that those of you going to Bangkok this weekend will consider posting about your experiences!
Thanks

Thanks PsyGuy! If teachers are making the switch to counselors are they going back and getting a degree in school counseling? Or are they moving into that role based on their experience with students, general background, and support of the administration?

How common is it for ITs to make transitions to other positions such as counselor or admin while at an IS and how difficult would it be to make a swap? I have been a psychology (primarily) teacher for more than ten years and love what I teach, but I am also interested in possibly making a move to counseling at some point later in my career since I have the background in it. Would it be possible to do this within an IS or would I have to head back to the US to get the requisite experience?
Thanks

Thanks PsyGuy - very helpful advice! Much appreciated. Your comment didn't sting at all - a good reminder that teachers shouldn't pine after schools that aren't interested...move on and find a good fit with a school that is interested. Sounds a bit like dating advice, but it's worthwhile to step back and think about it in that manner. Thanks for the perspective.

Shadowjack and Senator,
Thanks for the experienced replies. I wasn't trying to complain about the waiting period, but I'm new to IE and was really looking for some logistical advice. We are applying to jobs and casting a wide net. My question was about whether or not I should send follow-up emails. It seems like postings happen months before the fairs and I didn't know if they send out the openings and then sort of sit on making a decision until they do the face to face interviews or if I should be more proactive for the couple of positions I am especially interested in (while continuing to apply to postings) because those get filled before the fairs. I am trying to get a better understanding of the IE job hunting protocols since this is very different than how my US school works - where jobs are posted and filled within days.
Thanks.

Last week I got an email saying we were entering the doldrums:

"Welcome to what we’ve come to call the “doldrums” period.
Unfortunately, the lack of response by schools has come to be “normal” at this time of year. This can be explained, at least in part, by the fact that many schools are feeling inundated with applications as they begin announcing their open teaching/administrative positions for the next year – with the result that some schools simply don’t respond, or they take their time in sorting through their applications before responding.
Our message to you is: We feel your pain. We realize it’s disconcerting not to receive a timely reply from schools. But try to keep your spirits up, try not to get discouraged and don’t take lack of response as a sign that a school is uninterested in your candidacy (necessarily).
Also keep in mind that you shouldn’t dwell too long on any specific school or position. It is best to keep responding rapidly to positions as they open up, cross your fingers and hope for the best."

They go on to talk about contacting a school again in a couple weeks if you haven't heard anything. What about if you've gotten a form letter response noting that they received your application? How much contact is too much that it is pushy and off-putting (since they are getting inundated with applications)? There is one job in particular that I feel my husband and I would be perfect for. I know they will also be at the Boston fair, but I don't know if I should email again or just let it go and wait for the fair. This IE newbie could use some logistical advice. We are still applying for other positions, but there are some I am especially interested in. Is the protocol to wait it out until the fair or continue to contact? How do you experienced ITs handle the doldrums? Thanks!

PsyGuy -
I am interested in your Applicant Scoring System. How does this translate to hire-ability? In the US sometimes being a master teacher is actually a liability because you cost more and they could hire a newbie for cheaper. I'm new to IE (attending my first fair in Boston), but not new to teaching and wonder if that is an issue overseas as well.

Thanks everyone for the replies! I really appreciate the feedback. I forget that even after more than 10 years teaching I'm still a newbie in the international teaching world. We are really looking forward to the Cambridge fair and I'm glad to know many teachers are still getting hired there. Thanks again, this forum has been so helpful!

Thanks, sitka! Having the timeline is helpful.

I guess it will also depend on how many schools have needs in our areas (math and social studies) and how many other teaching couples/teachers in general there are looking for the same things.