Job Discussion Forums

[rayman]

I bet the baozi was the clincher...

[SahanRiddhi]

I should add, the job I have, not just everyone could get: I have a CELTA.

[rayman]

Now you've gone too far and confirmed you're living in fantasy land.

[Guerciotti]

[LongShiKong]

It doesn't seem Rayman teaches math. At US$95,000 a year he writes about having to sacrifice his lifestyle teaching at int'l schools. From what I've read, the going rate in China is: 15,000 - 20,000 RMB/mo.

Unless of course, like Sahan and my CT, he's doing a lot of moonlighting.

[rayman]

No moonlighting LongShikong, that's what the better international schools in China pay.

Its no secret either. Many schools publicly display this salary and benefits information on their websites.

Here's just a couple:

International School of Beijing - http://www.isb.bj.edu.cn/salary-benefits.aspx

Western Academy of Beijing - http://www.wab.edu/employment/teacher-compensation-and-benefits

[kev7161]

I work in an "international department" within my school and my compensation is quite nice. Factor in what I would be paying for an apartment and utilities back in the states and that compensation increases that much more. However, I won't go to work for a true international school although I am qualified to do so. I like the more relaxed, laid back atmosphere of this Chinese private school. Although I work hard for them and play by their rules (although not always 100% happily!), I don't always have someone looking over my shoulder to assess my job performance (don't worry, the students and their parents take care of that!). In addition, I've worked here long enough that the school trusts my abilities and trust that I will teach what needs to be taught in a competent and thorough manner. Although we test the kids and use a western curriculum, there is no standardized testing in place and we are not beholden to some "sister" school in the west. In other words, we play by this school's rules, for better or worse.

Honestly, I feel like many parents are simply satisfied if their child comes home somewhat happy and seems to have learned a new word or two every day. Don't get me wrong, that is not my or my school's expectations, but it seems like that would be enough for some.

If I worked for a nice, fancy, very high-paying international school, then I'd have a much higher salary, but also have so many more demands thrust upon me, longer hours, and much higher expectations to conform to. Again, I COULD do that if I wanted to . . . I simply don't want to.

PS: I wear dress shorts and t-shirts here during the hotter months - - can't do that in an International School I'd imagine!

PPS: From the WAB website:

[PandaPandemonium]

Can somebody tell me how you guys find that extremely well paid jobs? I've searched the internet and most schools offer salaries within 4000- 8000 range

[rayman]

Some good points Kev7161 on the positives of working for 2nd or 3rd tier international schools. Having worked in these types of schools before, I agree they are (generally) less stressful and with lower demands than the top international schools.

I fully appreciate your reasons for working at the type of school you do and under certain circumstances, I would take another similar job like that in the future.

However, I presently prefer to work in one of the 'top' international schools for the following reasons:

* I now have children, so in working for one of the 'top' schools in the world, it means my children can also get educated there, for free.

* It's true, you do work hard, but it's still only for 182 days/year. Like any teaching job, we still get over 3 months holiday a year, plus weekends are always free. I work Monday-Friday 7am-4pm. I'm very busy during that time, but I'm also supported in a professional environment. I find this rewarding.

* The better schools pay for retirement

* The better schools, such as those I mentioned are 'not for profit'. So all the proceeds go back into the school and staff.

It's true, you need to wear pants and a collared shirt (no tie). But if someone offered you an extra $30 000/year worth of extras to ditch the shorts and t-shrt, wouldn't you take it? You could always get around in your underwear at home to offset any perceived loss.

To quote Steve Jobs from his Stanford speech:

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work."

Don't be afraid of working hard, if you love your work and feel rewarded for it.

Cheers

[rayman]

[kev7161]

In rereading my post, it seems I'm knocking true International Schools and those that work there and that's not my intention at all. But to clarify a couple of things:

The shorts/t-shirts bit was just to indicate how very "relaxed" the atmosphere can be. I worked in a regular elementary school back in the states and I certainly didn't have to wear suit and tie (and I didn't) but slacks, dress shoes (or really clean sports shoes), and dress shirt every day was the norm. Sure, if clothing choices were the ONLY thing keeping me from earning the extra income, then I wouldn't let that stop me for sure!

BTW: Steve Jobs - RIP

I can't say I'm 100% satisfied with my job, but neither was I in the states. I'd grade it at about 80% satisfaction though, not bad considering where I live (a strange and often exasperating foreign country).

I did a rough guesstimate of how many actual days I work in the school year of Sept 1 - June 30 and it comes in around 165. This Chinese school sure loves canceling classes at the drop of a hat it seems. On the one hand, good for me - - less work for the same pay. On the other hand, it's hard to get through the year's worth of curriculum I'm tasked with!

I often come it at around 7:30 AM. My first class begins at 8:30 but I like to do this and that before I start. I hate getting in 10 minutes before class begins. I feel so unprepared that way. I'm usually out the door by 2:30 or so on most days however.

My school gives me an increase in salary every year and it's my duty to put the extra in a retirement account (which I do fairly faithfully). My biggest worry now is that there is no job security here. I work on a year-to-year contract. If the school decides they don't like me (read: I'm earning too much money), then they can find any old reason not to re-sign me for next school year. I try not to give them a reason (such as complaining TOO MUCH about things or coming in late or calling in sick, etc.), but you know they could find one if they wanted to. Luckily I feel I could find another well-paying job fairly easily if I needed to.

[PandaPandemonium]