Job Discussion Forums

[business2300]

I have looking into a position located in Zamora, Michoacan. Apparently, it is a small city with a population of around 100,000. Although I have heard some really negative things about the school, and about the treatment of the teachers, I would like to know about fair salaries for this type of position.

Requirements
The teaching schedule;
*7am - 8am
*4:00-9:00pm.
*There is a requirement for teaching a Saturday class every other weekend.

Benefits
*Free living accommodations in a fully furnished teachers residence, with private bedroom.
*Water, electric and cable television amenities paid
*Paid federal holidays
*paid vacation during Christmas break and Easter break
*free Spanish language classes

They are offering around $5000 pesos per month.

I was wondering if that is fair??

If I negociated, and did not have to teach on Saturdays or the morning class, what then would be a fair salary?

Thanks for your input.

[Samantha]

I doubt very much a school like this could negotiate that type of thing because there will be 2 or 3 other teachers and the classes need to be covered with work divided equally. Team work. (Unless you can negotiate class switches with your fellow teachers, with admin permission). The Saturday morning thing is common in Mexico at language schools and usually is a heavy class day...with all teachers needed on deck! The business revolves around the students and their available time, not the teachers preferred teaching schedules. I did it myself for quite some time, 6 days a week. You need to get private classes if you want to dictate the hours you work. That's what I did, but that usually still involves early mornings or evenings, since students normally work during the business day.

If you consider that your benefits may be worth $200.00 USD with the inclusions then it isn't a bad salary if you are starting. It compares with salaries in GDL. Where have you "heard some really negative things"? I haven't and I've been in Mexico a long time. Also, you didn't say what your experience or background is, and that's important to the type of position you land. Good luck with your decision.

[mapache]

This sounds similar to other schools in Southern Mexico. In Chiapas, for example, a school offers $7,200 pesos per month but the owner wants $2,400 back to rent her apartment so it nets out about the same.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[Samantha]

Excellent post Tim. Coming down with eyes wide open is a VERY good idea. A friend whose daughter is teaching near Mexico City wrote home to Mom completely dismayed at the fact that she had to pass all her spoiled wealthy students even though several of them deserved an F. Oh, that and the fact the school wouldn't buy them an extra blanket during the cold weather!