Job Discussion Forums

trenter · Joined: 16 Jan 2008 Posts: 8

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!
Smile

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

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 · Joined: 16 Jan 2008 Posts: 8

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 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

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

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

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 · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:05 am Post subject:

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 · Joined: 16 Jan 2008 Posts: 8

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! Wink

) 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 · Joined: 10 Oct 2004 Posts: 224 Location: Tbilisi, Georgia

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 · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:04 am Post subject:

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.

Trevor Wadlow · Joined: 14 Oct 2007 Posts: 103 Location: china

Not at all. I work in China, described as one of the safest countries in the world, and I know of a few families. One Australian couple are keen to get their child into a Chinese school and it isn't a problem. I, like them, was hired by the recruitment agency, Bejing WITT.

You seem to have a healthy attitude to working abroad.

johnsmither · Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 43

Hi, I have only just read your question about taking your family with you to teach, my wife and I are both teaching here in China and we have our teenage daughter with us, she is home schooled so her education is not a problem. We told companies upfront what are requirements in accomodation were, also stating that we needed a two bed apartment, if they were to hire two single people they would still need a two bed apartment to house them, some companies were not interested as soon as we mentioned children. We started in South Korea, accomodation was not big enough, 3 of us in an apartment meant for one, so we moved across to China, they love the idea of us having our daughter with us, many questions are asked about her, on special days at school (Halloween, Thanksgiving etc) she helps my wife in the lesson and is always the centre of attention. We have no regrets about bringing our daughter with us, it is a great way for her to see the world, and by the time she returns to the western world, she will have seen more places than most people see in a lifetime, hope this helps you in making your decision.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

COngrats that's great.

trenter · Joined: 16 Jan 2008 Posts: 8

Thank you all so much for your help and words of wisdom. We just got back from the Seattle ISS/CIS Fair. Had a great experience and met a lot of really neat teachers. The recruiters were great as well.
We are going for it. We ended up with a great opportunity to teach in Indonesia. We signed a two year contract and the kids are sure excited. Of course I am nervous but I really feel like we are doing the right thing and I am hoping that the kids will love it as well. A huge thanks to all of you for being so helpful. You guys are great!

Smile

tedkarma · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 8:48 pm Post subject:

Good for you!

A HUGE opportunity for your kids as well. Think how different their perspective of the world will be in a couple years! (Yours too).

geaaronson · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 948 Location: Mexico City

Have you thought of international government agencies, such as the Fulbright or Peace Corps. There are other programs such as that. The U.S. military has bases all over the world with schools at each and is always looking for teachers. The federal government lists all positions for which it has openings and you can find places to go. I recall several years ago seeing several positions in the Panama Canal for teaching.