Job Discussion Forums

s-batchelor · Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 6

I am a single mother of an 8yr old. I would like to teach English in Latin America and would like to know how I could go about it. (Finding out about how to enrol her in school and how accessible babysitting is, are just some of my questions)
Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Sarah

saraswati · Joined: 30 Mar 2004 Posts: 200

Hi Sarah,
I'm a single mom in Mexico but I've been here for years. I know a few women who've come down and they find it difficult on a teacher's salary paying not only for the essentials but also private school for their kid(s) and after-school care. Many teaching positions require that you work a split shift and it's often difficult to find competent babysitters.

One possibility would be to get a teaching job in an elementary school where your child could attend. That way you'd both be on the same schedule and the school may give you a partial to full scholarship for your child's tuition.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 3:49 pm Post subject:

Paint us the whole picture! How old are you, how qualified, how experienced? What kind of teaching do you want to do? Where in Latin America? I might be able to help...details, please!

Regards,
Justin

s-batchelor · Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 6

Here is more info, I'm 28yrs old. I have a university degree in Crime and Deviance and I am currently in a field dealing with young offenders. The most experience I have is with teaching an anger management program and shoplifting prevention program with youth in conflict with the law ages 12-17yrs old. As far as where in Latin America I would like to teach, I really don't have a preference. Wherever pays more would be ideal for me considering my situation. I wouldn't mind teaching English to begin with, but if I could get a job in counseling I'd be very content. Any input?

s-batchelor · Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 6

Thanks for that info. Just out of curiosity, how old is your child? How many years have you been teaching in Mexico? Do you teach English? Which part of Mexico do you live in?

MO39 · Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 3:35 am Post subject:

Are you quite fluent in Spanish? Otherwise I'd don't see how you could land a counseling position.

thelmadatter · Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 1:33 pm Post subject: credentials

without teaching credentials, it will be next to impossible to earn enough by teaching to support you and your daughter.

Also be aware that if you are American, you need the father's written and notarized consent to take your daughter out of the States. I dont know what the law is like about that in other countries.

Why do you want to go to Latin America?

s-batchelor · Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 6

Yes, I am quite fluent in Spanish.

s-batchelor · Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 6

I am from Canada, and I am able to take my daughter out of the country without consent from her father because he is not on her birth certificate. Why Latin America you ask? I've travelled to various parts before and love their language and culture.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Maybe you should try to go back to school at get certified to teach so that you can apply for jobs at international schools in Latin America. I have never taught at an international school but I think that you have two have 2 years of teaching experience back home so this might not be a good option for you if you want to get there as soon as you can. On the other hand you could at least support your daughter on an international school salary.