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littlelauren86
Joined: 20 Sep 2011
Posts: 94
Location: Korea
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 Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 5:07 am Post subject: Public School Teaching Scheme in Abu Dhabi + Religion |
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Hi,
I had a couple of questions about this scheme for certified teachers, if you guys knew anything. I am considering going through this program to help me pay off student loans once I get certified.
1) Are they really strict about the teaching license being from your home state? My license will be from my country (USA) but from a different state. I wasn't able to get licensed in my home state without going back there to school full-time, so I went a different route.
If push comes to shove, I have family living in the state where my license will be from.
2) Is the vacation from July-September paid?
3) This is a general life question. I'm not religious at all. Would this be a problem? Or would I have to say that I am Christian or Muslim?
4) About sponsoring a child: I've read about the getting permission from a father part. What if the child is conceived by artificial insemination and the mother could prove it through the bank that she went through? |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 5:56 am Post subject: |
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In terms of your first two questions, most of what you need to know about teaching in public/international schools in the UAE can be found on Teach Away's site.
Q3: Don't worry about being nonreligious; it's really a nonissue (unless you plan on practicing sorcery). 
Q4: You'd likely need to provide specific documentation regarding your child's conception by artificial insemination via an anonymous donor. Best to contact the UAE embassy in the US for an official response. |
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littlelauren86
Joined: 20 Sep 2011
Posts: 94
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 7:48 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the info.
I did look on Teachaway's website, and it didn't specify my first two questions, which was why I asked them. For example it says that there's vacation through that scheme, but doesn't mention whether it is paid or unpaid.
So I was wondering if anyone had any knowledge regarding those. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 8:39 am Post subject: |
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| littlelauren86 wrote: |
I did look on Teachaway's website, and it didn't specify my first two questions, which was why I asked them. For example it says that there's vacation through that scheme, but doesn't mention whether it is paid or unpaid.
So I was wondering if anyone had any knowledge regarding those. |
Given that there are no 9 or 10-month teaching contracts, vacation time is paid, as are holidays that fall within those months. That's typical of all one to three-year teaching contracts in the GCC regardless of the employer.
Also: "Licensed teachers, qualified to teach within their home state, province, or region's public schooling system, may be eligible to teach overseas in public and private school programs." (http://www.teachaway.com/licensed-teacher-programs) |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 1:24 pm Post subject: |
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How do they know what your "home state" is? But to avoid any questions I would use an address in that state. I have no idea why this would matter to them or Teachaway. You might have a license... and move to another state and not be teaching... as there might be no jobs. As far as I know, all US state licenses are equal for hiring, though particular courses may need to be added within a certain amount of time in a new state.
As to religion, put Christian in any space that asks. Then forget about it, as no one will quiz you or check to see if you go to the local church services.  They really have no concept of having "no religion" so best to not mention it.
VS |
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littlelauren86
Joined: 20 Sep 2011
Posts: 94
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 10:16 pm Post subject: |
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| How do they know what your "home state" is? But to avoid any questions I would use an address in that state. I have no idea why this would matter to them or Teachaway. You might have a license... and move to another state and not be teaching... as there might be no jobs. As far as I know, all US state licenses are equal for hiring, though particular courses may need to be added within a certain amount of time in a new state. |
Thanks for the tip. I was thinking of just doing that, since I ran into an issue when applying for EPIK several years ago. I actually asked on another board, and a couple of teachers who were hired through teachaway told me that it doesn't matter, as long as it is a valid license.
| Quote: |
| As to religion, put Christian in any space that asks. Then forget about it, as no one will quiz you or check to see if you go to the local church services. Cool They really have no concept of having "no religion" so best to not mention it. |
I'll be sure to do that I thought it would be that way. |
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SirAristede
Joined: 26 May 2014
Posts: 83
Location: Salmiya, Al 'Āşimah, Kuwait
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| Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 1:26 am Post subject: |
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If you're considering teaching in Abu Dhabi's public schools with ADEC, I suggest you really research exactly what that entails. I went through part of the interview process but elected not to continue when I was told that I would have no control over where I would be placed. People with kids are usually placed in the suburb of Al-Ain, but some individuals with kids have been placed in less than desirable areas that are far from necessary amenities. Single teachers, for example, are often placed in the Western Region (Al-Gharbia) including its capital, Madinat Zayed, which is downright rural. TeachAway itself seems reputable, but generally recruits for more questionable workplaces. From what I've gathered, working at ADEC is a real gamble.
The bottom line is, you don't know where you'll be placed and some of the discipline and organizational problems are quite disconcerting, especially for someone unfamiliar with the culture of the GCC. As a female, you will undoubtedly have less trouble than your fellow male teachers since the female students are generally much better behaved than the male students. When you're considering a foreign teaching assignment, being able to control where you are going is key and I have read far too many negative things about teaching with ADEC. I would suggest you check out the link below.
http://britishexpats.com/forum/middle-east-60/adec-beware-truth-last-765152/ |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 2:05 am Post subject: |
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ADEC teaching is a real crapshoot as far as getting assigned at a decent school. Inner city teaching is a good preparation for many of the positions. 
VS |
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SirAristede
Joined: 26 May 2014
Posts: 83
Location: Salmiya, Al 'Āşimah, Kuwait
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| Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 2:10 am Post subject: |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
ADEC teaching is a real crapshoot as far as getting assigned at a decent school. Inner city teaching is a good preparation for many of the positions.
VS |
I agree, VS. I taught in the inner-city of Chicago for nearly six years, but when I was told that I wouldn't be able to choose my school or location in Abu Dhabi for ADEC, I declined to continue the interview process. The school that I will be teaching at this fall in Kuwait will likely have some discipline issues with boys, but at least I know which school it is and have researched it, spoken with administrators (at length), and also have some insight from teachers currently there.
Well, I know how you feel about Kuwait, VS. We'll see how it goes.... |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 1:46 pm Post subject: |
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| SirAristede wrote: |
| Well, I know how you feel about Kuwait, VS. We'll see how it goes.... |
Yes, not my favorite Gulf country, but much of my negativity is due to horrendous conditions in my department. So, hopefully your job will be just the usual out-of-control boys.
Good Luck! The key is your management allowing you to enforce whatever rules you put in effect.
VS |
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Captain Coddo
Joined: 04 Feb 2012
Posts: 45
Location: East Coast
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| Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 8:43 pm Post subject: Atheist |
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I once applied to work at a college in the UAE and put my religion as 'Atheist'.
Is that why I never heard a dicky-bird back in response, d'you suppose? |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 8:57 pm Post subject: |
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| It's appropriate to state "non-Muslim" if it's possible to write in a response. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 12:28 am Post subject: Re: Atheist |
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| Captain Coddo wrote: |
I once applied to work at a college in the UAE and put my religion as 'Atheist'.
Is that why I never heard a dicky-bird back in response, d'you suppose? |
Could have been that, or more likely your credentials didn't meet their desires of the moment.
VS |
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SirAristede
Joined: 26 May 2014
Posts: 83
Location: Salmiya, Al 'Āşimah, Kuwait
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 2:26 am Post subject: Re: Atheist |
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| Captain Coddo wrote: |
I once applied to work at a college in the UAE and put my religion as 'Atheist'.
Is that why I never heard a dicky-bird back in response, d'you suppose? |
I agree with VS that it was more likely your qualifications that were at issue. However, putting "atheist" on your application certainly couldn't have helped. While more "modern" and seemingly more "liberal" than Saudi Arabia or Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates are still Muslim and follow Sharia law (in fact the Emirate of Sharjah is probably the most conservative region in all of the UAE and on the list of the most conservative regions in the entire GCC).
This article is in response to Saudi Arabia's declaration that atheists are terrorists, but atheism is generally frowned upon in the GCC (and condemned if you're an apostate of Islam).
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/05/islam-atheist-saudi-arabia-terrorists-faith-muslim-world
It's not like you're going to be asked to quote Scripture, so I'd aver it's a better idea to put Christian (if you're not Muslim) to avoid any complications. As a Christian, I obviously have no issue putting "Christian", even when applying for positions in Kuwait or Saudi Arabia.
nomad soul, how is the response "non-Muslim" on applications generally viewed? When I applied for positions in Saudi Arabia, I had to specify either Muslim or Christian and was told there were no other acceptable responses.  |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 3:30 am Post subject: Re: Atheist |
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| SirAristede wrote: |
| nomad soul, how is the response "non-Muslim" on applications generally viewed? When I applied for positions in Saudi Arabia, I had to specify either Muslim or Christian and was told there were no other acceptable responses. |
I'd written "non-Muslim" on my Saudi visa application---it obviously wasn't an issue. I'd applied for my visa through the SACM since I was a direct hire. I think visa agents tend to be fussier about what visa applicants should write on their applications. |
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