Job Discussion Forums

Flo · Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 112

Knowing that this sounds disrespectful, I have to say that I am so glad to be done with teaching in Mexico. I loved living in Mexico, but the school system there left a lot to be desired. I have returned to the states where I have a job at an inner city high school. I teach 5 classes a day with 35 students in each class. Sounds rough? This is so much easier and better than anything I had in Latin America (especially Mexico).

If I had to do it all over, would I still have gone to Mexico? Yes, without a doubt.

I read things here like "my students won't shut up" etc. Mexican students (along with their parents and school administrators) IN Mexico are some of the worst I have ever seen. My advice to those of you who are new and are doubting your teaching job...stick with it. This will be a good learning experience for you. When you leave there and get a job someplace else, it will be a piece of cake! You will never complain about mouthy students, low pay, terrible bosses, or poor working conditions ever again.

Just my 2 cents. I love being an "underpaid and overworked" teacher in the U.S.A.!

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Huh. I can't say that I have had those problems teaching here, but I teach at a university.

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

Where did you teach, Flo?

Flo · Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 112

I worked at a relatively small, private, and very snobby colegio called Colegio Ingles. To give you an idea of teacher satisfaction there, there are no foreign teachers that stay from one year to the next. The turnover of Mexican teachers isn't any better; we lost a half dozen or so at Christmas break.

I had planned on teaching at a different institution this year in Mexico. However, at the end of the school year last year I had a converstaion with a Mexican friend of mine who has been a teacher in Mexico for many years. She really couldn't understand why I wasn't happy with my experience at the school (or why some of the other teachers didn't finish the year). We had a little heart-to-heart and all she had to say was, "Its like that everywhere in Mexico. This school isn't any different."

From what I have heard job satisfaction at Mexican Universitites seems to be much higher. I have gotten some PMs from people who had the same experiences with colegios in Mexico that I had. So, its not just me.

Working in Mexico wasn't the worst thing I have ever done, but with out a doubt it was the worst teaching job I have ever had.

Mexico: worked my ass off for peanuts, parents and administrators that work against you instead of with you, ill-mannered students who treat you the same as one of their maids or servants, unusable textbooks and materials, insufficient facilities for learning, no teaching supplies.

U.S.: metal detectors and full time police personnel on campus (ha ha), daily fights and drug deals, my own classroom, administrators who work with me and value what I have to offer, students who respect adults, usable texts, endless supplies and materials for teaching, good vacations, great insurance and benefits.
Oh, and all this plus over $40K a year.

Yeah, I am opinionated, but geez, what looks better to you?

Like I said before, teaching in Mexico was a valuable experience for me. I am glad I got to do it. I will never complain about working conditions in the states. Also, for all those school teachers who go on strike in the states every year...go out and see the world before you climb up on your pedestal!

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

High turnover is always the best signal to stay away. It certainly doesn't sound like it was just you and not the school. Wish you could have had a better time in Mexico...

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

PlayadelSoul · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 346 Location: Playa del Carmen

I would have to agree with Ben. I have experienced nothing but respect from both students and parents. Of course, I had to earn it, as is the norm when it comes to "respect" in any area of employment.

Sounds more like an indictment of the school rather than a fair generalization of Mexican students as a whole.

miss_betty · Joined: 05 May 2005 Posts: 41 Location: Hermosillo, Mexico

Just to add...i was the new teacher who posted "my students won't shut up..... and I absolutely love my school. My students are great, it is just simply a cultural thing here in Mexico that I have come to understand that I cannot change.

I would much prefer a student bumping into me and thinking i was their maid versus a student bumping into me that wanted to knife me becuase he/she was part of a gang........

I too work at an exclusive school. I have great textbooks, unlimited supplies, a good boss, no one that micro manages me. I wish I had my own classroom, but maybe one day. Again, I would rather have the inconveneince of changing rooms rather than be surrouded with violence.

Lastly, in terms of pay....I get paid great. I have saved over $2500 in three months....it costs almost nothing to live here. I easily make your 40k equivalent when you take into accoutn the cost of living here versus the states.

you are of course entitled to your thoughts.....but i also want other people reading this to know there is definately another side to the coin too.

Best wishes to you and your future!!!!!!!!!!

aisha · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 9:03 pm Post subject:

Thank You Miss Betty!

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

MixtecaMike · Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 643 Location: Guatebad

I have 1,000,000 sitting on top of my t.v. set plus 4.8 million in the bank. I have sent well over 1,000,000 a month home for the past 11 months.

Not telling what currency, LOL, but they ain't dollars.

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

Afghanis? I heard they once traded at 45,000 to 1 dollar.

I know, I know Won?

miss_betty · Joined: 05 May 2005 Posts: 41 Location: Hermosillo, Mexico

I am really lucky to have a generous school i guess.

Also, there is not much to do here........go out for 15 peso tacos or 50 peso sushi a coulple time a week. We buy lunch every day for 20 pesos and can get a really healthy meal for 50 to 70 pesos. We have beers a few times a week. There is no where to shop, there are no book stores or music stores here. There are no spas........(that I know of yet). My rent is $3500 pesos and includes everything. So basically, I totally make the equivalent of 40K in the US.

I am from Cali where my rent and utilites were $1300/month (USD), my car insurance and registration were about $200 (USD) a month........ So for me, my core living expenses went from $15,000 pesos to $3,500 pesos.

I have no other debts in the US to pay.....so yes, saving is really easy. I girl can only eat and drink so much in Mexico.

i love mexico baby...... i enjoy the simple lifestyle and having less temtations and commercialism. Many of my vices are gone in Mexico.......but i am totally okay with that. They were fun little luxuries.....i look forward to finding some new mexican luxuries........any suggestions???????

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

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