Need Assistance w/ Job Search and the Entire Process

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business88
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2017 7:54 pm

Need Assistance w/ Job Search and the Entire Process

Post by business88 »

Hello Everyone,

I am new to international teaching, I had a very brief experience a few years ago where I applied directly to a school, interviewed with the principal (some hiccups with skype call), he followed up with my principal at the time, checked references - but the director had someone else in mind for the position (as per our conversation on Skype, but he would let me know) and I don't believe my principal at the time was too keen on letting me go. Anyway, I am looking into teaching specifically in Portugal. I am not in it to make a lot of money (I am aware Europe is not the place to do so based on a few comments I have read on the site). The reason I am choosing Portugal is related to family, moving closer, familiarity with language and culture, and just really wanting to live there.

I have 6 years of teaching experience and I am currently on my 7th year of teaching Language Arts in middle school. My classroom experience has been 1-year Bilingual (English/Spanish) language arts teacher as part of an 18-month dual Masters/teaching program, 3 years 6th and 7th grade language arts teacher, and most currently 2 years of just 6th grade ELA.

Considering the specificity of my search, I am wondering how to go about job searching and applying. Should I join any particular job sites? When is the best time to search for openings? Is it inappropriate to contact schools directly if they have no job postings currently? Also, would it be beneficial to get my Portuguese citizenship as my family are Portuguese? I also noticed there are many British schools but I am certified in the US with experience in American schools, would this be an issue as far as securing a job?

I want to thank anyone who can help ahead of time.
shadowjack
Posts: 2138
Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2012 9:49 am

Re: Need Assistance w/ Job Search and the Entire Process

Post by shadowjack »

Portugal is one of the Southern European countries with low pay for most schools compared to what you are used to.

If you are looking for Lisbon, Carlucci, which is in Sintra, just outside, is a good bet for US system.

Good luck!
business88
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2017 7:54 pm

Re: Need Assistance w/ Job Search and the Entire Process

Post by business88 »

shadowjack wrote:
> Portugal is one of the Southern European countries with low pay for most
> schools compared to what you are used to.
>
> If you are looking for Lisbon, Carlucci, which is in Sintra, just outside,
> is a good bet for US system.
>
> Good luck!

Thank you so much for your response. That was definitely one of the schools I looked into. However, if I wish to make the move by next school year (or at least increase my chances to do so) I have to cast a wider net - so I will have to look into other schools. However, I am unsure how difficult it is to get hired as a teacher in a school using IB/British curriculum if I have not taught those particular programs.
mamava
Posts: 320
Joined: Sat May 11, 2013 7:56 am

Re: Need Assistance w/ Job Search and the Entire Process

Post by mamava »

Regarding the IB system, one way is to start out in MS rather than HS. Some large schools have non-IB teachers for grades 9-10 but most of them do require teachers to teach IB as well. If you have strong credentials and are a good hire, some schools will hire and train you.

British schools are quite different--I worked at a school that was extremely snobby and closed to non-Brits (I'm an American) and I don't think I would have been hired except I teach special ed. I know other teachers who had worked at British schools with US background and we currently have an outstanding chemistry teacher at my school teaching SL and HL bio and chem and this is her first stint out of the UK system. So it's possible!
sid
Posts: 1392
Joined: Sat Dec 02, 2006 11:44 am

Re: Need Assistance w/ Job Search and the Entire Process

Post by sid »

Regarding the IB system, indeed.
The IB includes 4 programs, starting with PYP that works with students as young as 3 years old. Progressing to the MYP, and capping off with the CP and DP in the last 2 years before uni.
If you're attempting to be a candidate for any IB school, perhaps take care in referring to specific programs, and not incorrectly using "IB" to refer to the "DP".
business88
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2017 7:54 pm

Re: Need Assistance w/ Job Search and the Entire Process

Post by business88 »

mamava wrote:
> Regarding the IB system, one way is to start out in MS rather than HS.
> Some large schools have non-IB teachers for grades 9-10 but most of them do
> require teachers to teach IB as well. If you have strong credentials and
> are a good hire, some schools will hire and train you.
>
> British schools are quite different--I worked at a school that was
> extremely snobby and closed to non-Brits (I'm an American) and I don't
> think I would have been hired except I teach special ed. I know other
> teachers who had worked at British schools with US background and we
> currently have an outstanding chemistry teacher at my school teaching SL
> and HL bio and chem and this is her first stint out of the UK system. So
> it's possible!

Thank you for this information!
business88
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2017 7:54 pm

Re: Need Assistance w/ Job Search and the Entire Process

Post by business88 »

sid wrote:
> Regarding the IB system, indeed.
> The IB includes 4 programs, starting with PYP that works with students as
> young as 3 years old. Progressing to the MYP, and capping off with the CP
> and DP in the last 2 years before uni.
> If you're attempting to be a candidate for any IB school, perhaps take care
> in referring to specific programs, and not incorrectly using "IB"
> to refer to the "DP".

Thanks, SID.
Cailin
Posts: 26
Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2014 4:26 pm

Re: Need Assistance w/ Job Search and the Entire Process

Post by Cailin »

Re Passport - Yes, get it. If you have a Portuguese, or any EU passport, you will not need a work permit/Visa. This saves money and bureaucracy for the school.

I would suggest writing directly to every International school in Portugal that you are interested in. What have you got to lose?
business88
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2017 7:54 pm

Re: Need Assistance w/ Job Search and the Entire Process

Post by business88 »

I have a few questions, but do not want to start a new thread. If anyone may help me answer some or all my questions, I'd greatly appreciate it.

1. What would be considered a good salary/package for WE/Portugal?

2. Is it okay to interview with another school if I have an offer on the table?

3. What is the reputation of ISS operated schools?

4. Would it be rude/inappropriate to ask a school for their salary guide before even having an interview?
PsyGuy
Posts: 10789
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:51 am
Location: Northern Europe

Response

Post by PsyGuy »

Would have been fine with a new post. In direct reply to your inquiries:

1) As much coin as you can get. The WE is big and thus varied. Youre on the side of the better half if you have €3K/month net or more. A good package, anything that includes a housing allowance or benefit (very difficult to come by). A "good" OSH package would be salary, a flight in and out at beginning and end of service, some time in a hotel while you find a place (with the help of a relocation specialist the IS has on contract), the IS helping with any deposits or guarantees. A private health insurance program, and a private pension scheme on top of the national social scheme. Full tuition/fee placements/seats for dependent children (assuming you want to pay the tax on them).

2) Yes, whether you tell the initial IS is up to you. You can give full consideration to any IS you want to until you sign a contract (and even then you can), but you dont owe an IS or a recruiter anything until contracts are executed and offers accepted. If you tell them though they may withdraw the offer.

3) Of the 21 ISs most of them are third tier ISs, a few floater third tier ISs, maybe a couple second tier ISs and a first tier IS. ISS generally manages their ISs well.

4) No but they arent likely to give it to you. If ISs are open about their comp schedules they usually publish them or only provide them at the time of contract negotiations and offer.
business88
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2017 7:54 pm

Re: Response

Post by business88 »

Thanks PsyGuy!

I have an offer on the table w/ housing, but I was curious about the ISS schools as they are opening up a new school in Lisbon. They will be at a job fair but I didn't know if it would be worthwhile to put an offer on hold to interview with them. It also would come down to what pay and packages would look like for this particular school.

PsyGuy wrote:
> Would have been fine with a new post. In direct reply to your inquiries:
>
> 1) As much coin as you can get. The WE is big and thus varied. Youre on the
> side of the better half if you have €3K/month net or more. A good package,
> anything that includes a housing allowance or benefit (very difficult to
> come by). A "good" OSH package would be salary, a flight in and
> out at beginning and end of service, some time in a hotel while you find a
> place (with the help of a relocation specialist the IS has on contract),
> the IS helping with any deposits or guarantees. A private health insurance
> program, and a private pension scheme on top of the national social scheme.
> Full tuition/fee placements/seats for dependent children (assuming you want
> to pay the tax on them).
>
> 2) Yes, whether you tell the initial IS is up to you. You can give full
> consideration to any IS you want to until you sign a contract (and even
> then you can), but you dont owe an IS or a recruiter anything until
> contracts are executed and offers accepted. If you tell them though they
> may withdraw the offer.
>
> 3) Of the 21 ISs most of them are third tier ISs, a few floater third tier
> ISs, maybe a couple second tier ISs and a first tier IS. ISS generally
> manages their ISs well.
>
> 4) No but they arent likely to give it to you. If ISs are open about their
> comp schedules they usually publish them or only provide them at the time
> of contract negotiations and offer.
PsyGuy
Posts: 10789
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:51 am
Location: Northern Europe

Reply

Post by PsyGuy »

Are both of these ISs repped by the same premium recruiting agencies? If they arent as long as you dont tell either of them about the other, you can accept the offer you have and keep it in your pocket and see how it goes with the Lisbon IS. If they make an offer you can accept that one and then withdraw your acceptance of the first IS (your gold fish died or something).
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