Job Discussion Forums

[IronSheik]

I am a teacher at ASK. It is a very good school, I believe, and one of, if not, the best private schools in Kuwait. It is a family-friendly school for teachers, as several teachers have kids here. I have been here for two years. Kuwait is ok, but not the most interesting place I have ever lived. It is quite comfortable though, as many have stated here. Look forward to meeting you, Hanged Man.

[British Tutor Kuwait]

Car companies in Kuwait offer reduced rates for teachers to rent vehicles or one can purchase a car from KD 45 per month installments and fill it with petrol for KD 2. [6 dollars ?]

[LadyBrettAshley]

Is anyone familiar with the new superintendent at ASK? Perhaps a new superintendent does not affect the teachers directly, or do they? Since this will be my first position overseas I am curious about the hiearchy of the staff and the effects the administration has on the classroom teacher.

I presently work under a great administration with a great staff; we consider one another family. With that said, however, I am very eager to make this transition and embark on this new enterprise.

Thanks for the input.

LBA

[IronSheik]

LadyBrettAshely,

The new superintendent is (MOD edit) and he is coming from an international school in Lahore, Pakistan. He was quicly wisked around the school when he came earlier in the year for his 'interview'. Few people met him, including some of the admin staff. It seems the decision was made to hire him before he even came. In saying that, I am not saying he will be bad or that the other two candidates were better. They were never interviewed by the owner as far as I know.

I look forward to seeing what this guy will be like and what his vision for the school will be. It will definitely have an effect on whether I want to stay longer. The current group of principals are all good and those of the ones you should be concerned about. The super will have little direct involvement in your classroom. There will be a new HS principal who has been in Kuwait at another school for 5 years already. I have briefly met him and he seems nice.

Overall, I find admin to be very supportive and interested in making the school a better place. I am very happy here.

(MOD: please do not post people's names as this is a public board)

[LadyBrettAshley]

It appears the new superintendent was "appointed" by:

International School Services, Inc. (ISS)
A US-based nonprofit educational organisation providing support services to American and international schools overseas.

Good?Bad? I don't know. I just like to know that everyone involved has the best interests of the students AND faculty in mind.

LBA

[veiledsentiments]

LadyBrett,

I fear that you may be too idealistic for teaching in the Middle East. Perhaps I am just jaded, but all too often I find that butts on seats with paid tuition is the number one priority. Students are kept happy by grade creep, and teachers stay as long as they feel the positives outweigh the negatives.

If one goes overseas with these ideas in mind, one can be pleasantly surprised when things are not totally under this situation. ASK has a better reputation than most, but don't be expecting educational nirvana...

VS

[LadyBrettAshley]

I have to laugh a little. I am probably in for quite a change and not just scenery. You may find this amusing as well, what is grade creep? (Getting something for nothing?)

Sorry to sound so naive. I promise I have been doing this awhile, albeit I have worked at the same school since I received my undergrad.

LBA

[veiledsentiments]

LBA,

Good to hear that you have a sense of humor as it really is a requirement for coping the 'culture shock.'

Grade creep... seems to be happening everywhere.. Remember when a 'C' was 'average' and the best that many would ever do? Now the pressure is on the teachers to preserve the little darling's 'self-esteem.'

In way too many schools in the Gulf, parental and student expectation is that paying tuition means not only passing, but getting A's - at worst B's - in spite of a way less stellar performance.

I'm not accusing ASK of this at all. Hopefully this is NOT the situation there. (please check your PMs)

VS

[FishcalledWanda]