Job Discussion Forums

[sambeckett]

Dear fellow teachers,
With the first signs of spring I find it time to look for a new teaching position for next fall. I am looking for a private university or high school position in the DF. I have one year esl experience in Mexico and another year in the middle east. I have had some job offers from a few schools in Mexico City:
Westhill Institute
The Edron Academy (British College)
Colegio Suizo
I know nothing about these schools. Therefore, I am soliciting advice from more seasoned hands in regard to the following concerns:
1) salary
2) Administration support or lack of toward the teaching staff.
3) Discipline problems.
4) Underhanded staffing procedures such as too many preparations or after hour duties.

For any advice,
Gracias,

Perhaps I can return the favor some day
eldestpine

[Samantha]

I would think it weird if I received a job offer without information on salary to be earned or hours expected to work. Is the offer only to come for an interview to find those things out or ?

[J Sevigny]

I've heard that there is a school in Mexico City that is quite similar to Guadalara's ICI -- that is, lots of private corporate classes for very good pay. Can't recall the name, though. Maybe someone else here knows.

John

[sambeckett]

Thanks for the replies!
I received some tentative salary offers and work schedule information. As any one knows who has taught before�such assurances rarely have any real meaning wherever one teaches. Is a salary range of 1700.00 � 1800.00 USD per month after taxes a fair pay rate at a private university or secondary institution in the DF for an experienced teacher with a BA in secondary education and esl training? Basically, does any one have any work experience at any of the institutions I mentioned? I would be grateful for any first hand information.

eldestpine

[Guy Courchesne]

1700-1800 usd (plus benefits - perhap not mentioned to you yet) is in the upper range for teaching in DF, s'far as I've seen. That's what Westhill starts at, though I'm not completely sure about the others.

[ls650]

[sambeckett]

Thanks for your suggestions and input. I have noticed that there seems to four main brackets of salaried positions in Mexico:

a) A �back packer�s� wage of less than 900 USD a month with other inducements such as �free Spanish lessons� or housing or great locale.

b) another tier consists of private colleges or schools that seem to be found in the more picturesque or remote areas of Mexico offering 900-1000 USD a month with limited medical befits or housing.

c) Large well endowed chain schools such as ITESM that pay around 1300 USD a month after taxes with limited benefits and some educational incentives.

d) Private universities and secondary schools seemingly found only in larger cities that pay beyond the 1500 USD range with benefits.

Does this seem to be true? I find it interesting that Mexico - a wealthy nation- pays usually a lower wage than a country such as Cambodia which relies on foreign aid to survive. Does it rest sorely with the large English speaking populations to the north or are we all somewhat culpable when we agree to work in the lower brackets. True, teaching and the rewards and trials of living in another country are more than sum of one�s pay and yet moving from nations where salary and benefits are higher � many teachers are forced to race for higher salaries in order to maintain links and responsibilities from home.

Since this posting. A fellow teacher in Thailand has asked me for help in moving to Mexico. In return, I will help this pilgrim as much as possible. Thanks.

SB