Thank you all for the clarification in regards to Search fees.

@psyguy I am not disagreeing with your point at all. My last comment directed at martalin was meant to state that a school that offered a housing allowance would be ideal, not that I would be able to negotiate a housing allowance if it wasn't a part of their normal package. I have considered us keeping two apartments it seems like an obvious solution to my situation.

My understanding had been that English law forbids companies from charging a fee for placement/headhunting services.

If the above is correct I think the issue with me is that I am being perceived as being Canadian.

@Martalin thanks for getting back to me. A housing allowance sounds like the ideal thing in my situation.

Thanks for clarifying the search info

I could also be wrong.

My assumption is based on what I have heard from colleagues no first hand knowledge.

I'm inclined to just pay and not worry about it. At this point I want to try to do anything possible to increase the odds of success so I am not terribly fussed about the money.

Thought I would throw up another questions here. Started with the search application got emailed with info about fees etc. Because I am a UK citizen (and canadian citizen) I assumed I didn't have to pay fees. I have spent some time in both countries growing up but was educated and sent most of my time in Canada.

I have "addresses" in both as a result of my family situation. Is it unprofessional or negative to question why I am paying fees (assuming my assumption about fees for UK residents)?

@Senator that was my hope when pushing for China.

@Martalin thank you for sharing your story. If you don't mind sharing (I'm presuming you live with your BF) is housing a part of your compensation package? Do you get a housing allowance or a provided flat? Something else I haven't mentioned?

@ senator thanks for contributing. That is more or less how I see the situation, depends on my relative value and perhaps a little bit on how I am able to frame my situation (in my mind it really is no different than arriving at a new school/city and meeting/dating another expat there in that my partner is of 0 burden to the school).

Thank you for shedding light on the search associates situation.

I agree being too selective is a sure path to failure. I am being a little vague about my partners situation as what she does isn't relevant to the IS world at all. The corporation she is employed by is huge and it is possible that she could go more places than the aforementioned China and South Korea those are just places that have expressed interest but it is early days.

I have been pushing a bit towards China as Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou seem to have a lot of schools (though less PYP schools than I had imagined). I wouldn't mind leaving the PYP but I would prefer if possible to stay in it or perhaps something like the IPC. Managing the timing of the whole thing (presuming I am able to get offers) also seems like it will be incredibly challenging, the corporate world hires on a completely different schedule it would seem.

I think long term if a traveling working together relationship is going to work I will end up being the trailing spouse of my partner and then looking for work as a local hire at places(which I am okay with).

Your perspective on the international school "mindset" is interesting as I would not have read the situation quite that way (not disputing your take on the situation at all).

By "work something reasonable out" I wasn't so much implying that I negotiate as simply put my cards on the table and see what response I get. Admittedly this is a rather boy scoutish take on the situation and I will seriously consider keeping my personal life personal moving froward.

Your last paragraph confuses me a bit. Are you saying it is likely that I would be able to get an invitation to the London fair? Any suggestions on how to make sure I get a certain associate on Search?

We are a hetero- couple.

You raise some interesting points, I think I have to bring it up before signing on the dotted line. Anything else I fear could cause ill feelings. I am thinking bring it up in the interview when it feels natural, hopefully after having made a good impression. Clearly people will find out, you would have to be so careful otherwise to hide it from colleagues, leadership etc (can you imagine spending years not mentioning a live in girlfriend). It seems like I just need to emphasize that she won't require any support from the school.

The housing thing is tricky but I think if I can bring it up early we can sort something reasonable out. I think the worse the school likely the worse this will go. Anyone else pulled something like this off? A housing stipend would be best as my partners work will likely provide support finding an apt but not pay for it in the fashion that some IS's do.

I actually meant 10 locations not schools but that number will be thinned as recruiting season goes on and my partners options thin as well. I think I might keep an eye on the school list for the London search fair (it doesn't seem to be up yet) and if it shows up with all options I want I might change my mind. I've never attended a Search fair before only a smaller one (TORF), would it be reasonable to assume I could get an invite if I signed up in late October/early November? From the description on the website I fit most of the criteria (IB, SEN Co-ordinator at current school etc).

Hey all,

I had a couple questions about the coming recruiting season. A quick background on me: I am a primary teacher from Canada working in the PYP for the second year (Grade 5), I spent two years at an English National Curriculum School (so 4 years counting this year) both School in Eastern Europe. I am in my late 20's and would like to stay working in the PYP if that is applicable.

My partner works in Finance for a large multinational. We have been discussing making a move to Asia (I previously taught ESL there for a couple years). In my partners industry it seems like China or S.Korea are possible options for her to transfer. These seemed like reasonable options in my opinion as there appear to be lot of schools there and it would likely not be as competitive as Europe/S.E. Asia. Thoughts on any of the above?

My two questions are:

During the recruiting process what is the etiquette on mentioning my partner. We are not married but live together and would continue to do so after the move. The school would not need to sponsor her work visa, insurance etc. Conversely her workplace will not be sponsoring mine. I was thinking I would mention her at some point in the interview stage, any later seems too late and earlier seems ill advised? Anyone navigated a situation like this before?

Given my relatively limited search parameters (we have a list of just under ten places that are possible at the moment) do you think it would be advisable to attend a fair? I was thinking it might not be worthwhile (in a cost vs opportunity type equation) as it may not give me access to many places I would like to apply. Opinions on this?

That was a really thorough reply. Definitely different than I expected as well (I mean this in a good way)!

I have a couple quick questions about the diversification section, the SOTA approach I need to give some more thought.

The spec ed speciality I hold from Ontario would qualify me to work as Special Education Resource Teacher in Ontario so I am assuming this works for a Sped qualification? I do currently work in the Special educational needs department at my school on top of my regular classroom duties.

Would I be more marketable teaching upper primary (exit level primary). I am currently teaching a 4-5 split (I taught grade 3 for for the previous 2 years) and will later this year be working on my first exhibition. There is opportunity for me to do exhibition training later this year as well.

I had actually been thinking about moving down in grade level to the more 1-2 range. I was told often in my B'ed program about how much more marketable I would be in lower primary (marketable in state schools in Ontario) because of how rare male teachers are in that range.

Would staying in Grade 5 and doing exhibition training be a better idea because it is a more specialized skill set?

So I am in my second contract in international schools and have been thinking a whole bunch about whether or not I would like a future as an IT (note: elementary teacher qualified k-6).

I graduated in Ontario with a B'ed and went abroad immediately as a result of the lack of opportunity for work at home (I had also done the ESL thing previously and had returned to school with becoming an IT in mind).

I have worked two years for a big British School and now work in the PYP (first year but I will stay next year so I will have 2 years experience in the PYP for the next job hunt).

Niether of the International schools I have worked with have been great. I find my current posting to be quite a slog but I am pushing through so I can get the PYP experience (I have taken a couple PYP courses in this time).

It seems like Elementary is always a competitive field and I am curious as to how I can differentiate myself in the future. What in your minds makes an Elementary teacher incredibly employable (other than a spouse in a high needs area)? Moving forward what could I do to make myself as employable as possible? If you could describe what you imagine the most employable elementary teacher imaginable to be what would they be like?

I don't think this will factor in too much but I do hold a Special Education Specialty from Ontario and have some experience working with SEN students at my current school. Also because it does seem to matter somewhat in the International School world I am Male, white, late twenties and hold an EU passport.

Thanks for the response this is the kind of information I was looking for. The way I see the fair is that it could be of benefit to meet people/network but is unlikely to result in an immediate hire.

My only previous fair experience was at Queens University and it is I imagine very small in comparison to the London fair.

Thanks for the response this is the kind of information I was looking for. The way I see the fair is that it could be of benefit to meet people/network but is unlikely to result in an immediate hire.

My only previous fair experience was at Queens University and it is I imagine very small in comparison to the London fair.

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and was hoping to gain some insight into my job search. I am a qualified elementary teacher from Canada and I'm in my second year at an international school in Eastern Europe (British curriculum accredited etc). I have been steadily taking additional qualifications (spec-ed, reading courses etc) and also hold UK citizenship.

I am looking to change schools next year for a variety of reasons. I am open to moving anywhere and would like to get some IB experience.

I am in the process of registering at Search and am considering whether or not it would be prudent to attend a fair. I have specifically been looking at the first London fair of the new year. Because I am relatively "green" I am unsure if the costs/time of the trip to London would be worthwhile?

I have been reading through the forums and it seems like Elementary positions tend to go later in the recruiting cycle, does this mean I should consider a later fair? Just apply through search (tie online etc) directly to schools?

Any other advice on landing a position in the PYP?

My approach is to be very flexible on location in the hopes of being able to improve me CV so that I am able to be more competitive in the future.

Thanks for your help!