Job Discussion Forums

[thecrit840]

Hi All,

I had good, bad and mediocre teaching jobs in Mexico, and, in picking though other people's posts, am finding the same.

I am interested in reading responses from those of you who have had, or are in a teaching job in Mexico that you are truly pleased with in terms of decent (and on-time) pay, reasonable hours, trustworthy employers and a high proportion of motivated students.

While admitting that the utopian teaching job probably does not exist, I'm hoping to cut to the chase, and get some feedback about truly excellent experiences and opportunities. The headaches and nightmares are easy enough to find.

If you can recommend a school that you have felt really positive working about as a teacher, please reply.

Thanks!

[MELEE]

decent (and on-time) pay,
reasonable hours,
trustworthy employers
a high proportion of motivated students.

I think I have the first three. Pay is enough to support my family of 4, have some good benefits, never been paid late (and I'm just two weeks shy of my 10 anniversary here). Some people don't like my hours. They are not the best, but they are not the worst (9-2 and 4-7, 3 teaching hours a day). I'm employed by a public institution, so trust is kind of a complicated issue.
The students... The students all know that learning English would be good for them, for me that's enough, but they are not beating down the door to get into class.

But I think there are other things that make this job better than others. One--I really like my co-workers, most of them that is! I've truely been honored to work with a lot of great people over the years.
Opportunities for growth. My school doesn't have an organized professional development program, but I've had loads of opportunties to learn new things, develop myself and as long as I take the inciative, the sky is the limit for how far I can/could go in this job. On the other hand, there's no pressure to do any more than just my job, sometimes that's really nice too.

The following is something I wrote somewhere else in a conversation about what schools should give teachers and what teachers should demand. It was mostly focused on Thailand, as most of the teachers in the converstation were working in Thailand, but I think it applys here too.

[thecrit840]

Thanks for your reply.

My motivation for posting my questions was to generate reponses that gave leads or recommendations, as it is very difficult to pick through t is very difficult to pick through the more negative posts.

For example, I had a very positive teaching experience with United English in Queretaro, and would recommend them to anyone who meets their criteria and wants to commit to their year-long contract. The pay was good (and never late), the workplace was pleasant and many of the student were corporate employees who were taking English either as a job requirement, or for career advancement. They were often tired, but generally very focused.

Maybe you don't want to publically post the name of your school, but would send it to me in a private post. If not, it's okay, but I am looking for specific names and places.

[MELEE]

Sorry, sometimes I forget not everyone has been reading Dave's forever. I forgot that it might be necessary to say where I work.

Universidad Tecnologica de la Mixteca

Also see Oaxacan University System

[Samantha]

thecrit840 wrote:

[thecrit840]

I'm not sure what you mean by "collecting data fopr another purpose." I am in New York now, after teaching in Mexico last year. I am interested in returning to the Republic, possibly another region, to teach again.

[Samantha]

No problem. It just wasn't clear if you were looking for a job, or maybe writing an article or book about schools in Mexico.

[TheLongWayHome]

If you're looking for choice come to SLP. I know of at least 5 schools that are gagging for teachers. They range from bad to good. Pm me if you want more specific info.

There seems to be a shortage of native speakers here. If you haven't had the pleasure of SLP, there really isn't that much to it. Colonial city with a small town mentality and not much to do, but there are plenty of jobs.

[thecrit840]

I've only driven past SLP on the way to TX from Qro. I'm sure you're right that they have a shortage of native speakers, as does most of the Republic.

Last year, I decided on my city first, moved down, then found my jobs. The next time I do it, I'd rather get some leads on nice, solid positions first, then narrow down my choice of cities, and begin the application process. So, this is why I'm trying to get some of you to write success stories.

I have a fair idea of where I don't want to live, and some idea of places I might want to live in, based on parts that I've visited, as well as spots I've heard about. But, I'm really hoping to read first-hand accounts about employments situations that have worked out well. I'm trying to minimize the need for trial and error with jobs.

I really enjoyed my TEFL certification program, and, if I had it to do over again would not have gone through a different one. However, though they promise "free job-placement for life," many of those of us who went through the program have found them to be less than adequate in this area. They dropped the ball on me when I was headed to Qro., though I was not taken too off-guard by this, having heard other people's stories.

Anyway, anyone else who has been content with their teaching positions?

[dixie]

Are you looking for private elementary/prepa jobs, universities or language schools?

And what are the areas in Mexico that interest you?

[thecrit840]

Well, in the Republic, I've taught junior high and 2nd grade in a bilingual school, and I've taught in a few language schools. In the USA, I've taught at the college level for some time, but not specifically ESL (though I've had many LEP students). I'm pretty open.

I'm not interested in moving to DF (no offense--I enjoyed visiting there), Monterrey, Toluca, Pachuca, anywhere particularly "industrial" or any USA frontera towns.

I would be interested in living in many of the places I've been to before, and some I have not (for example, if someone said there were a wonderful position in Orizaba, I'd probably apply to it because I loved other parts of Veracruz, and heard good things about Orizaba). Merely an example--I'd rather people take about their experience where ever it's been-if it's not a place I'd like to go to, maybe the info. would benefit another reader.

I've been to many parts of the Republic, and particularly enjoy where there is access to "naturaleza," though I've enjoyed some of the large cities, too.

[dixie]

[thecrit840]

I really appreciate the offer of contact info., and will probably take you up on it.

That said, I'm a little dismayed that only one person posting actually gave first-hand testimony to being in a good arrangment. Is it all the happy people started the weekend early and are out celebrating?

[MO39]

Quite a few of us who post on Dave's live and work in the D.F. (and at least one, in Toluca), so that could be a partial explanation as to why you've gotten few responses to your inquiry.

[thecrit840]

Possibly.

What type of school do you work in?