Job Discussion Forums

[ls0808]

Hello everyone!

I have been reading what everyone is writing, but it's my first time posting. I just had my in-person interview in Toronto with ADEC through caneducom this past weekend. As far as I know, I have been offered a kindergarten position with a public school! I am so excited!!

Can anyone give me a heads-up as to what to expect when I get there? Does anyone have the curriculum that they can share with me?

I have so many questions...

What should I pack?
Should I bring some teaching resources and classroom decorations?
Can women wear 3/4 length sleeves readily in schools?
Can men wear polo's with khakis in school?

That's it for now...I sure hope someone can help me out!

[veiledsentiments]

Same answer as on the other thread...

VS

[MsParker]

You really don't need to worry about bringing too much stuff, as Western products are readily available out here. There may be a few "creature comforts" (Tim Horton's coffee and President's Choice White Mac & Cheese are mine....) that you cannot live without, but there are plenty of stores in Abu Dhabi like Spinney's, Lulu's and Carrefour that will cater to your needs. There are tons of brand stores like La Senza, IKEA, The Body Shop, Boots (pharmacy), the Gap, even Le Chateau! Of course, there's also Fendi, Chanel and a lot of upscale places as well. This is a shopping culture - and you'll be able to buy anything that you need to live here. That includes pork products (from Spinney's) and alcohol (once you have a government approved license to purchase).

I'd have to admit that the selection is probably better in Abu Dhabi than in, say, Niagara.

Yes, bring some classroom resources (posters etc), but beware of certain images like pigs, or males and females together. Some principals may be tolerant, while others will not allow anything that is "haram" (forbidden by Islam). It really depends on your school. You can also purchase school supplies here (Magrudy's bookstore, and there is a teacher supply shop somewhere in Abu Dhabi - have never been, but heard about it).

This is the same answer for 3/4 sleeves. I've seen "dress conservatively" interpreted by some Western teachers as knee-length skirts with a sleeveless top and a bit of cleavage! That would not be acceptable at all where I work (I wear an abaya -- easier to figure out what to wear to work everyday). You can buy thin, long-sleeved undershirts here, in a variety of colours, that you can wear under your short-sleeved tops.

I'm not 100% sure of what the male dress-code might be. Sorry.

[Asda]

Allow me to put my 1/2 dirhams worth in...

I have a few friends who work in the Emirate of AD, albeit for PPP operators such as SSAT, Nord Anglia, CFBT.

From what they have told me, the thinking is that because they are bringing in 'professional' Westerners, males are safest wearing full sleeve tailored shirts with ties and dark (blue/grey/black) trousers - especially when starting the job. Once one gets one's feet under the table, maybe then the polo shirts and khakis can come out...

Hope this helps and please keep us updated.

All the best.

[Bookcrazy]

Where I work the men wear long sleeve shirts, ties, dress pants, and dress shoes and the women wear "business casual" (no one can ever really agree on what that means).

Some of the men wear a suit jacket because the air con is turned up so high (no really, I'm serious).

[MsParker]

Excellent advice -- overdress for the first week, then get an idea about what is appropriate.

Some of the ADEC teachers I've seen have gradually eased off until they are wearing jeans with a long tunic-like top. Not advisable for the first day, but it fits in with what most of the other women (especially those from the Levant) are wearing, and it's a nice, comfortable way to dress.

Speaking of "appropriate" -- off the island of Abu Dhabi, there might be a different definition. Away from the city, for women, you'll want to avoid v-neck shirts, capri pants, short sleeved/sleeveless tops, flip-flops, and shirts that don't cover your bum. Or, get an abaya and wear whatever you want underneath. DON'T take your fashion cues from the Sex and The City 2 movie!!!!

Cover up your tattoos, but I haven't seen anyone go crazy over a small nose-stud yet.

Before I came here, I had all the same questions, and I found it more helpful when people actually spelled it out.

And yes, the aircon can be absolutely bone chilling...

[veiledsentiments]

Nose studs are no problem as the women from the sub-continent have been wearing them forever in this part of the world.

I can't imagine anything more uncomfortable in the heat and humidity of the Gulf than jeans. I could only manage to wear them during the two coolest months... Dec/Jan... and even then I would have never worn them to work.

VS

[ls0808]

Thank you so much to everyone that posted a reply!

I truly appreciate any advice you can offer. I feel so overwhelmed and want to make sure I don't miss anything!

I guess you are right about the first week. Dress according to the requirements and slowly ease into what the school community is comfortable with.

Does anyone have any experience working with Kindergarten students? Any advice as to what resources other than posters and classroom decorations that I should consider investing in and bringing with me? What about a classroom library? Are they already set-up? Should I bring books with me (taking into consideration things that are "haram")? Are classroom generally set-up, or will I have the opportunity to decorate it?

Are there any classroom essentials that I should consider bringing that I won't be able to find there?

Is Lulu's and Carrefour similar to Walmart in North America?

Thanks again everyone!

[ls0808]

Does anyone have a copy of the actual curriculum standards that are used by ADEC schools for Kindergarten to grade 3? If so, I would appreciate it if they can be shared.

[helenl]

Yes Lulu and Carrefour are similar to Walmart

[uaeobserver]

Think of Carefour as Wal-Mart
Think of LuLu's as a Target

There -- you should feel right at home.

Congratulations and good luck on your adventure to Abu Dhabi.

[boundforsaudi]

No. It's the other way around.

[veiledsentiments]

But, which one is like K-Mart?

More seriously, aren't they more supermarket than department store?

VS

[mishmumkin]

[veiledsentiments]

Hey MM... good to see you here again. Do you have any idea of what the turnover is of ADEC teachers? Is the politics burning some people out rather quickly?

Who is teaching IELTS to the teachers?

VS