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changing schools, same city

Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2019 6:32 pm
by chiliverde
I'm happy enough at my current job, given that no place is perfect. The salary is top tier, however the benefits are not. There is a school in my city that is at the absolute top internationally, that I feel I am qualified to be seriously considered for. My contract at my current school is up in June.

What's everyone's best advice on how to navigate this in the most professional way possible? My SA account is already reactivated so they know that I'm looking, although they believe it is overseas.

Re: changing schools, same city

Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 12:43 am
by sid
If you've already alerted your school that you are looking, you're good to go. Apply to whatever schools you want.
Heads in the same city commonly have some sort of network and talk regularly, so expect that your application will be discussed at some point. You may want to give a heads-up to your director or referees that this could happen. You can cover yourself if you feel it necessary by also mentioning other schools further away that may also reach out.
Is the international school network in your city cooperative (usually happens in cities where there is an abundance of students and schools have wait lists) or competitive (common when schools are fighting each other for every potential student)? That may determine some of the political next steps.
Some schools will resist giving you an expat teacher package/benefits if you are already living in the city, the argument being that the benefits are to lure people away from other locations. Other schools say an expat is an expat. Be careful in the application process and make sure they consider you an overseas hire. Going through an agency is a starting point for protecting yourself. But depending on the school/city, the school might have a hard and fast rule they won't break for anyone.
In some locations, schools have a rule against poaching from each other. Obviously unenforceable, but it could impact your chances. Sometimes it's just a rule against aggressive poaching where a school would reach out to a teacher at another school (you'd be fine in that case), and sometimes it's full-on, where they point blank won't hire anyone from another school in the city. See earlier point about whether schools are competitive or cooperative.
Good luck.

Re: changing schools, same city

Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 11:35 pm
by vandsmith
a school i worked at in ukraine had a clause in the contract where you couldn't seek another job in the country for a time period (i can't remember if it was 6 months or a year). anyways, it was unenforceable and petty but maybe there was some sort of 'agreement' although i can't see any school having had an 'agreement' with my old school.

good luck!

v.

Re: changing schools, same city

Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2019 4:07 pm
by mamava
You should be able to to change jobs within the same city--unless there is some national law that prohibits it...and you may need to leave the country and re-enter on your new work visa sponsored by your new school.

Keep in mind, though, that you may be considered a local hire--even top tier schools will often consider a foreign teacher a local hire which will dramatically affect your benefits.

Response

Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2019 12:26 am
by PsyGuy
I concur with @Sid, just be transparent and tell them, since there is little you can conceal and subterfuge at this point.
Regardless of the political scenario in the city theres little you can do about it, your current leadership is going to feel however they feel about it.
The issue of LH vs. OSH may or may not come up and it is common, but your applying to the top/elite tier IS in the region and those ISs rarely would offer an expat an LH package.
The issue of poaching ITS usually only happens with as @Sid indicated with aggressive poaching not transitional moves involved in standard recruiting.

Re: changing schools, same city

Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2019 4:16 am
by chiliverde
Thank you everyone, this has been really helpful