Job Discussion Forums

brian1972 · Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 73 Location: Pachuca Mexico

My family is moving to Pachuca next month to work for The American School of Pachuca. Anyone live in this area or can anyone tell me a bit about Pachuca... have googled it obviously, but would like a more info from someone who has personally been there! Also, has anyone worked or know anything about the American school there? It sounds great... but again, would be nice to hear from someone who knows a bit more.
Thanks!

hamie · Joined: 11 Jul 2010 Posts: 7

I use to live in Pachuca (2009-2010) and taught at that school. I can tell you what you want and don't want to know. I wrote a blog about it. It'll be a book in 2011.

Either PM me or send me your Email and I'll be happy to share.

hamie · Joined: 11 Jul 2010 Posts: 7

I PMd you back with the web address of my blog. It'll be open until Friday night my time.

Dragonlady · Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 7:19 pm Post subject:

deleted...

My reply is not pertinent to the OP's question.

hamie · Joined: 11 Jul 2010 Posts: 7

I locked my blog for legal reasons.
I was trying to help out someone and give justification for it.
Maybe I shouldn't have bothered. My blog is just one persons account of their time in Pachuca, I'm no expert. So maybe I should have just kept my mouth shut and let the experts explain.
Good luck.

AGoodStory · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 738

Dragonlady · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 3:54 am Post subject:

deleted

Response not related to TESOL

hamie · Joined: 11 Jul 2010 Posts: 7

My apologies then, it's been a hard week. I was trying to lend a hand while not getting in legal trouble for doing such.

Pachuca, I believe, is the birth place of soccer in Mexico.
Their team is pretty good and anyone considering a job at the American School there will get the opportunity to meet with some really good players.
I wish you all the the luck in the world trying to get the kid stop bragging about it. The school in Pachuca is well equipped with a full sized soccer field and a smaller rapid field both of which are loved like a new born baby.

brian1972 · Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 73 Location: Pachuca Mexico

Actually, Hamie has been quite helpful. Answered all my questions (and I had a lot) via email. Blog was also helpful. I completely understand his request to keep his blog private.
He in NO WAY advertised his book nor the school. Just a teacher offering his opinion and bit of knowledge about Pachuca.
Thanks again Hamie for all your help!! Very Happy

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

I remember coming across a teacher's blog online awhile back. She wrote extensively about her experience at this school (while she was working there) It wasn't really complimentary to the school admin or any of the Mexican teachers she worked with. Someone asked her to remove some entries, because she had named names and did a whole lot of complaining about the operation. It apparently wasn't good enough to suit her, even though it sounded like they were bending over backwards.

After following what she wrote for several months, it became clear that she was likely the author of her own destiny. She seemed to have problems with other schools after that, Immigration, police, and just general discrimination. Her whole attitude was one of entitlement. Some people just aren't cut out to live or work in Mexico. Some realize it sooner than others. Others aren't cut out to teach so it wouldn't matter what country they lived in.

hamie · Joined: 11 Jul 2010 Posts: 7

Keeping a blog is an interesting idea. It was a way for me to keep notes and share my experiences at the time. My family lives a long way away so it was also a way of keeping in touch with them.

I can totally understand how the other blogger felt. There were other teachers and staff at school that only wanted the positives reflected. I received a few nasty emails once I left but really in this world you've got to look out for yourself and do what is right for you.

The school has it's pluses and minuses just as any school does. It's going through some change at the moment but even then it is still better than some of the other horror stories you hear out there. Things change at these schools all the time, just like they do in Asia where I now teach. Some teachers love it and some think that the other side of the fence is better. Personal opinion is just that and should always be taken with a grain of salt and a sideways look.

I was glad to have the opportunity to teach in Pachuca but was also glad to get on a plane and get the heck out of Mexico too. It just wasn't for me.

That being said I've been a teacher for 10 years now and am still going. I love teaching and it's what I do.