Job Discussion Forums

[jenskye]

I'm wondering if anyone has worked for the International Academic Assistance Program (IAAP). I sent them my resume and they seem eager to hire me to teach in Mexico. I really would like to find out more information before I go though. Their website sure is cool and boasts that they have won awards, etc. but they also don't let you pick where to teach. I guess I see some plusses and minuses.

If you have any other information about IAAP please let me know ASAP!

[Alicia]

Hi,
All I can say about IAAP and Dr David is BEWARE!!
My friend and I were hired by IAAP last year and travelled to Mexico for training. What they didn't tell us is that not only can you not pick where you go but they don't actually know how many teachers they need until after semester starts. So some teachers were left stranded in Mexico without jobs. There is general bad management and lack of communication. Being involved with IAAP was one of the worst expereinced of my life. PM me if you want more info.

[suzy91681]

I would have to agree with the above poster. I spent the last year in Zacatecas, Mexico with IAAP. And even though I loved Zacatecas and generally had a great experience living in Mexico, here are some things you should know about IAAP.
1) Don't believe much of what they promise you. They promised me an FM3 and never delivered. I'm not sure if it's still on the website but it was advertised last year that they would provide furniture for an apartment. Nope. And finally, a month after the end of the program they still owe me 2,000 pesos for help with rent that they promised months ago. I'm not holding my breath.
2) The previous poster was right about their communication, or lack thereof. I had numeros emails that went unanswered and often wouldn't receive information about grading or scheduling until the very last minute (this after repeated emailed questions). The email communication that I did receive was often in the form of a threat. One email I got from them harshly informed me that I wouldn't be paid unless I sent my attendance sheets by the next day. Oops, turned out I had sent them weeks ago and they were sitting in the office. I never got an apology.
3) They are extremely unprofessional and very unpleasant to deal with. They treat their teachers with very little respect and basically offer them no support. When the director Dr. David and his wife came to Zacatecas for the final evaluation I criticized some of their policies and asked for the accusing me of lying.
I would not recommend working for IAAP. There are plenty of schools in Mexico that pay you decently and where you can choose where you live (IAAP doesn't allow you to pick your location although I lucked out with Zacatecas).
I'd be happy to answer any questions you have.

[Darrel Goebel]

I work for IAAP and have for four years. I know both of the above writers and think it is really unfair and unethical for them to condemn a program when they were at fault for whatever problems they had. The first writer doesn't mention that she insisted on being assigned to the same school as her "girlfriend." There were jobs available for her but she refused to be "separated." The second did not have problems with IAAP, she WAS THE PROBLEM. I have seen student complaints and she's bitter because she was not offered a new contract. I have enough experience in Latin America (I'm currently assigned with IAAP in Honduras) to know that you must move at the nation's speed. Nothing and no one will move at your speed. You need to be a team player because you are not the team. I have no complaints about my bosses and I have a lot more time with IAAP than either of the above and I would recommend it for anyone who wants a good experience.

[gomezpalacio]

What a bunch of $%&=?!!!! I know IAAP and have a long history with it. I know that when whinning little "$&%(�s like these were missing their mommies and putting the blame on IAAP, the real people with IAAP were helping victims in Colima dig out of the rubble of their earthquake. The real people were helping needy students continue their educations with money provided by IAAP. The real people were bringing used desks and computers from the U.S. to help schools that had nothing. I don't know these two losers and I don't want to. If IAAP really made mistakes, it was even thinking of giving creatures like this jobs.

[suzy91681]

I respectfully disagree with the last two posters. The first claims to know me, but I never met anyone by the name of Darrel while working for IAAP. Nor have any of my former students been in contact with someone named Darrel from Honduras. To set the record straight, IAAP asked me to continue working for them and I declined. I had a wonderful experience with my students and learned a lot while teaching. I made lifelong friends in Zacatecas and do not regret the experience for a minute. I wrote what I did because I think anyone applying to the program has a right to know exactly what they're getting into before they go.
I don't appreciate being slandered (especially when the first of the last two posters seems to be thinking of someone else) nor called a loser. Why did this all of a sudden become a personal attack? And why are you so angry?

[Darrel Goebel]

I served as an evaluator for IAAP, visiting all program sites and observing teachers and their performance. I also spoke with students and asked the quality of their experiences with their teacher. The teachers typically did not know of my visits but the evaluations were recorded. In the case of Suzy, the evaluations were consistently low and students expressed a desire to have the previous teacher return. I have spoken with the directors of the program and have been told that they were traveling and did not have the correct time to arrive in Zacatecas for student evaluations. For that reason they arrived early and were confronted with a hostile teacher who was irate because of the mixup of the hours. The directors apologized, left and returned at the correct hour. For Suzy, however, this minor event was a tragedy and even her students were upset with her reactions and behavior. Slander? It is the real slander to be a low performer and then put the blame on a program where countless teachers have excelled and want to return. I recommend IAAP to anyone and ask that sour grapes teachers like this be ignored. IAAP can provide dozens of addresses of past teachers for references. I will proudly be one.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[suzy91681]

I'm reluctant to keep replying to this post because it makes me upset but I think I should to set the record straight. I first posted about IAAP because I thought it was important for people to know exactly what the program was like before making the trip to Mexico. I wish that I had the same information before I left. It would have saved me a lot of grief.
I'm not writing this to save face because obviously no one here knows me or cares if my students complained about me or not. But the fact is, what "Darrel" is saying about me is not true. I don't think anyone wants to read a refutation of what he says because this isn't about me. So here's the point. I have met everyone that worked for IAAP this past year and there is no one named Darrel, and no one named Darrel who could possibly have come to these sorts of conclusions about me. IAAP has a history of deception and bad business practices. Why else would they be so intent on slandering former teachers who speak out against them?
You can believe me or not but now at least you've been warned.

[Darrel Goebel]

Suzy's inability to understand the workings of an organization only clarifies what I have said earlier, that she was inept on her job and whether she wants to be honest about it or not, students did know the prior teacher. In a place like Zacatecas, you can't hide a gringo teacher. And for the other writer who feels I should be chastized for expressing MY opinion, I would remind him that a responsible organization separates itself from a teacher's or evaluator's private life and personal viewpoints. I never said that Suzy met me. It was exactly the point that she should not have met me. I am currently assigned to the program in Honduras and we have the same procedures here. This process prevents a teacher from putting on the "best face" for evaluations and has been a fair and valuable assessment process for IAAP and many other education organizations using foreign teachers. What is not true (and I have just confirmed it by phone) is that Suzy was offered a renewal of her contract. The procedure is for directors to ask, "Do you know what your plans are? Do your plans include returning to IAAP?" If a teacher says "no," there is no reason to continue to discussion but if they say yes, then the directors are forced to inform them that their contract will not be renewed. Suzy was merely asked these questions and was never offered a renewal. When speaking with the directors, however, they asked me not to pursue this matter because it only becomes uncomfortable for all. I will accept their advice. Having four times more experience with IAAP than Suzy, however, I would not hesitate to recommend it for anyone who wants a rewarding experience of teaching in Mexico or any of the other nations where they function.

[emilysarah]

I also worked for IAAP and had a generally negative experience working there. I stayed in Torreon, Mexico for a worthless one week training where we stayed at a convent. I had the misfortune of having to wait an entire extra week without pay by myself in Torreon before I was finally placed in central Mexico. There are good things about working for IAAP, though. The best thing is that you dont have someone looking over your shoulder with every move you make. Also, you have a lot of freedom as far as what you teach your students. This can be an advantage or disadvantage if you arent experienced. Generally, their �teaching methodology� is not at at all developed and there is little communication from those in Torreon.
They often pay late and less than they say they were going to, but this isnt something exclusive to IAAP and happens quite frequently in Mexico. Dont be fooled by their website, IAAP is not at all a prestigious institute but in all fairness there are people that are happily working there. The job just requires a lot of patience!

PS Hi Alice! Did you go back to Australia?