Job Discussion Forums

housecat · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 104 Location: usa

There's an add for teachers in the Jobs list that I'm considering applying for and I wonder if anyone knows anything about this school or this area?

The contract is Jan-July, so I'm thinking some people are leaving mid year. If so, that's a little concerning, but I need work for just those months, so it might work out perfectly, as long as things are on the up and up and everyone is getting paid on time.

Any information at all is very appreciated!

Thank.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Can't comment on the particular school, but I can note that it is quite common to see positions open in January like that to finish the school year. It doesn't always mean the school is bad (though it can be a red flag)...sometimes teachers get sick, go home, have babies, all kinds of normal things to create an opening.

housecat · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 104 Location: usa

Thanks for the reply. I just found this thread which is the same as mine! Sorry! http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=647915

But all I've read seems encouraging and I don't mind a mildly borring city, as I'm traveling with a young child and won't be drinking going to clubs, anyway. So, maybe this will be a good thing~!

Just one other question that hasn't really been addressed specifically: just how cold IS this place in the winter--I hear it's quite elevated and windy--and how available heating?

Are homes heated? I've been to Mexico before, but nowhere near Hidalgo, and most homes did not have heating. How about the schools? I guess I can ask in the interview, but I'd like to hear from someone with no interest in making things sound as nice as possible.

Thanks!

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Pachuca can get pretty cold...down to freezing for a couple of weeks in November or December. Very uncommon to find indorr heating in Mexico as that's the only short period we get cold here. You can buy small space heaters if you need to.

I doubt the school is heated. You'll probably appreciate the open architecture in Mexico for 11 months of the year, then curse it for the one that it's cold.

MO39 · Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:22 am Post subject:

Nice Yuletide tree you've got for yourself, Guy!

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Thank you. I'd like to say I cut the thing down myself and reindeered it into town like a proper Canadian, but the best I can muster is that I had to brave DF traffic for 4 blocks with it on my shoulder.

pe666 · Joined: 24 Nov 2008 Posts: 9

I was hired by The American School in Pachuca as a substitute English teacher. They changed that to being a gym teacher as I was driving down. And after 2 weeks of orientation, they fired me for having long hair. So you can sort of tell, they follow the 3 Stooges-Keystone Cops philosophy of management. The accomodation they provide is pretty good, the wages are okay for Mexico, (pretty big workload for what they pay you though.) Most of the teachers who stayed didn�t seem to like it a whole lot. I think if you�re passionate about teaching and education it would be a tough place to work, because the actual learning process isn�t very high on their list of priorities. It�s also a bit of a fishbowl because about the only foreigners in town besides the missionaries work at the school. In short, if they like you, it can be bearable, if they don�t like you, you�ll hate it.
The coldest months here are October, November and December. The night-time low can get below freezing. It seems colder because none of the buildings are heated. But the bigger problem with the climate here is the dryness and the dust from the mining industry, which is really, really, really bad. The best thing about Pachuca is that it is safe by Mexican standards. But it is really dull, though.

housecat · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 104 Location: usa

[quote="pe666"]I was hired by The American School in Pachuca as a substitute English teacher. They changed that to being a gym teacher as I was driving down. And after 2 weeks of orientation, they fired me for having long hair. So you can sort of tell, they follow the 3 Stooges-Keystone Cops philosophy of management. The accomodation they provide is pretty good, the wages are okay for Mexico, (pretty big workload for what they pay you though.) Most of the teachers who stayed didn�t seem to like it a whole lot. I think if you�re passionate about teaching and education it would be a tough place to work, because the actual learning process isn�t very high on their list of priorities. It�s also a bit of a fishbowl because about the only foreigners in town besides the missionaries work at the school. In short, if they like you, it can be bearable, if they don�t like you, you�ll hate it.
The coldest months here are October, November and December. The night-time low can get below freezing. It seems colder because none of the buildings are heated. But the bigger problem with the climate here is the dryness and the dust from the mining industry, which is really, really, really bad. The best thing about Pachuca is that it is safe by Mexican standards. But it is really dull, though.[/quote]

When? When did you have these experiences? That would be very helpful information. thanks!

pe666 · Joined: 24 Nov 2008 Posts: 9

I was hired and fired by the American School in August 2007. The administration hasn�t changed though. I am still in Pachuca working for a different school, but I�m leaving in a week. I don�t want to be a bitter ex-employee, and I don�t want to discourage you from coming. But I would warn you that only a certain type of person is going to enjoy working at that place.

thelmadatter · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 5:25 pm Post subject: electric blanket

One thing I really recommend here for the winter months is an electric blanket. Dont sell them here however... may havesomething to do with being nervous about them. My BF (Mexican) refuses to use it despite the fact I think he has ice water running through his veins.

I lived in Toluca for 5 years (bloody cold there) and found that space heaters were iffy.. not to mention heavy and suck up a lot of energy. Electric blankets are light, you get all the benefit of the heat they provide and not the cement walls, and are a heck of a lot safer then they were 20 yrs ago. I recommend bringing one down with you.

pe666 · Joined: 24 Nov 2008 Posts: 9

Toluca is way colder than Pachuca. I lived in Russia for a long time, where the winters are brutal. The cold is here is more annoying, because of the lack of central heating. But it�s only a couple of months where it�s a problem.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Nothing, and I mean nothing beats having a dog around for winter warmth. We have two to bookend us at night to keep us warm.

Milenka · Joined: 30 Jun 2008 Posts: 113 Location: Mexico City

housecat · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 104 Location: usa

[quote="Guy Courchesne"]Nothing, and I mean nothing beats having a dog around for winter warmth. We have two to bookend us at night to keep us warm.[/quote]

I find a kitty cat is a nice pool of warmth--and has the advantages of vibration and masage capabilities.

housecat · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 104 Location: usa

My post above has just reminded me that I need to ask questions concerning moving my two kitty cats to Mexico and back with me. Right now, I'm only planning to stay for six months, but I can't board them that long and no one wants to foster them. One of them is a pretty one family kinda kitty, anyway. Anyone have any experience? Advice? Where do I start to look for the rules and regs about this?