Job Discussion Forums

[trenter]

Love reading all of the posts and envy all of you that are teaching abroad. My wife and I are both elementary teachers here in the States and have three elementary age children. We really would love to teach overseas. No we aren't trying to get away from anything and we aren't looking to make a bunch of money. We just want our kids to experience different things and see a different part of the world. We would love a slower pace and the chance to spend more quality time with our kids. (They grow so darn fast!)
My two questions are this:
Is there any chance of getting hired for a one year contract?
-I totally understand that schools aren't excited about moving a family just for one year but do they sometimes offer that possibility? No way we would ever sign a two year and break it. I have enough trouble sleeping at night!
Also do schools mind hiring a family with 3 dependents?
I imagine we may have to pay for one child but that would be fine.

If ANY of you have words of wisdom or advice I would sure appreciate it!
We are trying to decide whether to go the job fair in Northern Iowa or not.
If we do go I am investing $1200 and no sense going if we don't have a chance at getting hired. Thanks in advance for any help it is sure appreciated. I need to figure this out so I can start sleeping again!

[Glenski]

I'd say that for people with actual teacher's licenses and experience, they should look into job fairs for international school jobs.

But what countries were you considering?

[trenter]

Thanks for the quick response Glenski.
Sorry I forgot to add that we have both been teaching at an elementary school for 16 years. We will be taking a leave of absence. The job fair that we are looking at is the UNI one in Iowa.
Looking at South America or Asia. My brother teaches in South Korea and says that isn't what we are looking for. Safety of course is the most important. Yeah and I am sure this will come as a shocker but haven't done much traveling abroad. My wife has been to Europe but I haven't yet gotten any further than Canada and Mexico. Nice of you to help!

[naturegirl321]

THere are heaps of links to international schools on the General Latin American Forum, click THe LA Job List sticky.

[Glenski]

Look at the Japan forum, one of the FAQ stickies at the top. It has links to international school info. Not much, but it's there.

You could also PM me. I have some firsthand info from a person who has done that sort of work here.

[tedkarma]

Only my opinion here, but I wouldn't be optimistic.

Most Int'l schools want a two-year contract. Their experience - and mine - is that a good percentage of newbies just don't work out. Thus they try to leverage the averages by making sure that the good folks stay longer, a two-year contract.

By the time they pay the airfare for your family and school costs for your kids, they are into you for some money. If you want to commit for only one year, it might not be worth the cost.

They might hope you will want to stay longer, but if there are people in line for the job with no dependents who are willing to stay for two years and maybe more . . . What decision are they to make?

Most businesses, and international schools are first and foremost businesses, tend to think that a new expatriate takes a good six months to get adjusted and to become effective in their new role. That leaves only six months to reap the rewards of the risk taken by hiring you.

Family and spouse only complicate the mix. Suppose you love it and the spouse hates it. Or one of the kids develops serious behavior problems in their new environment? Who loses out? The school.

Again, only my opinion, if there is anyway you can possibly do it - commit to two years. It really does take that long to know how it all works. You might find you like it and will continue.

I once worked with a guy in Saudi Arabia with five kids and a dependent spouse. He did a great job and was worth the time and money they invested. But it was a long shot.

[trenter]

Thanks for the responses you guys. Yeah Ted I appreciate your opinion and it does make sense. They are taking a bigger risk in my case (though we are of course worth it! ) and I do see your point.
I think we have to decided to attend a job fair and see if we get any offers. If we decide to go for it we will do just that and see how two years goes. I still am not sure what would happen if the family was miserable after a year but I'll just have to choose wisely and find the right fit. Once again thanks for your honesty and all of you for taking the time to respond.
It is appreciated!

[The_Hanged_Man]

I attended the UNI fair a couple of years ago, and landed a good job there although I am single. I recommend that fair for potential first time international school teachers as most of your competition would tend to not have very much overseas experience too. However, schools do generally want two year contracts.

One possibility is Quality Schools International as they do offer one year contracts and are interested in married teaching couples. They manage over 30 schools spread over 25 countries so you will have lots of options if hired. Check them out at:

http://www.qsi.org/employment.htm

PM me if you have any questions.

[tedkarma]

There is probably nothing better that you could do for your kids than to expose them to the greater world out there - and to help them understand what it is all about.

You might just find that they will eat it up.

I don't have children, but I greatly admire parents who make sure their kids get the knowledge and experience that living in another country and culture provides. I am quite sure that it is not always easy and trouble free - but long term, probably a real advantage in many ways.