DoDDS vs. International Schools
DoDDS vs. International Schools
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Last edited by czketchem on Mon Jul 14, 2014 8:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
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TexianTravel
- Posts: 44
- Joined: Thu Nov 30, 2006 11:35 pm
- Location: Egypt
DODDS Schools
If you find out how to access the overseas schools openings, let me know! Whenever I access the postings on the DODDS website, the majority of the jobs are at bases stateside. I am wondering if a) you have to get in stateside before you go overseas or b) the spouses of military personnel get first dibs (as they should). Sorry I can't be more helpful.
Dodds schools--the skinny
As with all things, there were pros and cons.
Last edited by Beemarcus on Sun Jun 15, 2014 9:54 am, edited 3 times in total.
Re: DODDS Schools
I forgot to answer your questions TexianTravel. 1) Dodea/Dodds never advertises the openings they have overseas. It's kept internally. If a principal sees your application in their database and has a need for you, they call and interview. If you accept a position, and then turn it down, hoping for a better offer, you won't get a second chance that year. But if you say not up front, you are still in the running, but odds are not in your favor for 2 calls in one year; 2) You don't need to work in their stateside schools to get overseas posting; 3) Local hires (spouses) do get first dibs so long as they are qualified. Their overall benefit package is not as rich as the overseas hire, however. But most of the difference is the lack of the housing benefit; but it's naturally assumed that their military spouses is getting that so it's not a big deal most of the time.
[quote="TexianTravel"]If you find out how to access the overseas schools openings, let me know! Whenever I access the postings on the DODDS website, the majority of the jobs are at bases stateside. I am wondering if a) you have to get in stateside before you go overseas or b) the spouses of military personnel get first dibs (as they should). Sorry I can't be more helpful.[/quote]
[quote="TexianTravel"]If you find out how to access the overseas schools openings, let me know! Whenever I access the postings on the DODDS website, the majority of the jobs are at bases stateside. I am wondering if a) you have to get in stateside before you go overseas or b) the spouses of military personnel get first dibs (as they should). Sorry I can't be more helpful.[/quote]
Last edited by Beemarcus on Thu Nov 17, 2011 10:32 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Thanks
Thank you so much for your responses. They've been the most helpful of any information I've found.
This is an exhausting process, but I am really looking forward to it. We hope to be somewhere in Europe, preferably Eastern, but we're really game for anywhere safe.
It sounds like from what you are saying, our chances of actually getting into a DoDDS school together are slim. And that's fine with me - I think I prefer the idea of working with kids and colleagues from all over the world instead of just American.
Thank you again! If you can think of anything else worth sharing about your experiences, I'm happy to hear it :)
This is an exhausting process, but I am really looking forward to it. We hope to be somewhere in Europe, preferably Eastern, but we're really game for anywhere safe.
It sounds like from what you are saying, our chances of actually getting into a DoDDS school together are slim. And that's fine with me - I think I prefer the idea of working with kids and colleagues from all over the world instead of just American.
Thank you again! If you can think of anything else worth sharing about your experiences, I'm happy to hear it :)
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rwalrath
DoDDS vs International...
I too have been in DoDDS... in Korea, Germany, teaching DL in the states and now a school in Guam... As mentioned, overseas teaching vacancies are not posted publicly anywhere. Also, as mentioned, there are lots of folks who have been "excessed" by their schools closing in Germany, meaning the vacancies that are there are very few and far between. However, if you're in one of the categories where DoDEA has a high need (such as SPED, reading specialist, and some others-they change frequently), you will likely get an offer fairly quickly. And, although I was always told with DoDDS accept the first offer made, because they wouldn't make another, I do have one friend who turned the system down several times in one year, and then accepted a late offer. Granted, he was a male kinder teacher--somewhat rare in the system, and he was very good!
After much debate and concern, I have been actively looking for an international position--albeit being very selective--for two years. Turned down a few this year, and then pulled out to commit to another year with DoDEA. Of course, right after I pulled out, I got several interests, and my wife got an offer (which she accepted).
You do need to be sure that if you're applying for DoDEA and you want the benefits you DO NOT accept Guam, PR, or any other "DDESS" school. Came here thinking I fully knew how much a cut in pay/bennies there would be, and proved to myself once again there is no such thing as full disclosure or even equity within the same system.
Sadly, the "golden age" of DoDDS is past, when one could easily transfer between schools on a regular basis. Also, with the budget issues in DoD, the funding support is substantially lower than when I began in the system.
That said, DoDDS is a great place to be, in most cases. But, as in any situation, it's what you make of it. I have lots of life-long friends in the system-I first became associated with it in the early 80's, when I was active duty.
After much debate and concern, I have been actively looking for an international position--albeit being very selective--for two years. Turned down a few this year, and then pulled out to commit to another year with DoDEA. Of course, right after I pulled out, I got several interests, and my wife got an offer (which she accepted).
You do need to be sure that if you're applying for DoDEA and you want the benefits you DO NOT accept Guam, PR, or any other "DDESS" school. Came here thinking I fully knew how much a cut in pay/bennies there would be, and proved to myself once again there is no such thing as full disclosure or even equity within the same system.
Sadly, the "golden age" of DoDDS is past, when one could easily transfer between schools on a regular basis. Also, with the budget issues in DoD, the funding support is substantially lower than when I began in the system.
That said, DoDDS is a great place to be, in most cases. But, as in any situation, it's what you make of it. I have lots of life-long friends in the system-I first became associated with it in the early 80's, when I was active duty.