Job Discussion Forums

[Ldrider]

Greetings to all..

I am new here and have a couple of specific questions...First a little bit about myself and what I would like to do. I graduated in '97 from Arizona State University with a BA in Education. ESL was my specialty. I am also certifed in Elementary Education (K-8 )and Computer Technology (K-12). Before teaching I worked as a Manufacturing Engineer for about 12 years.

I have seven years classroom experience in a public high school, it is not in ESL (go figure!) but teaching computer technology, mostly networking. I also worked two years as a state school teacher in a correctional facility (adult inmates). All these positions were certified.

Ideally, I would like to take advantage of my background in computers and combine that with my ESL certification. My father was born in Bogota, and I have family in Colombia, so naturally I am considering Latin America. My spanish skills are elementary. The problem is that although I student taught in an ESL class, have an ESL certification (Arizona and Maine), I never actually worked in the field. All my high school teaching has been in computers. How much of an effect will that have on potential employers? Thanks in advance for any ideas and sorry for the long winded post! Rob in Maine

[saint57]

Which was tougher, the public high school or the correctional facility? Your qualifications are superior. Unless Arizona doesn't have any immigrants, I'd say you have experience as an ESL teacher. In an interview just highlight how you infused ESL teaching into your everyday teaching practice.

[tedkarma]

You might take a serious look at international schools - where your IT teaching experience my be a nice add-on to your ESL qualification.

Teachers who can offer more than one specialty probably have a better chance - in my opinion.

Check out http://www.iss.edu/ for placement options.

Much of the world will not consider you "Latin American" unless you mention it or make the point. You are American - and have an American passport (I assume) - just leave it at that. I've worked with many Hispanic-Americans, Chinese-Canadians - etc. No problem in much of Asia, anyway. But . . . hyphenated nationalities confuse many people in this part of the world.

[Ldrider]

Teaching in the correctional center was interesting in the sense that I had a lot of autonomy with little direction. Loved the captive audience though...

RE: International schools...am not sure I understand what an international school is and how it is different from other schools..TIA.........rob

EDIT: Ok, I just checked out the link offered above..small world! The same link was sent to me yesterday by a teacher I work with that has accepted a position in Cairo !! She signed a two year contract and will be working in a primary school teaching both students and staff (she is/was our staff computer applications instructor)...She interviewed in December of last year with ISS. Her salary will be about the same or very slightly lower but they are paying for housing, medical, transportation, etc...

[tedkarma]