Job Discussion Forums

Raffael2 · Joined: 07 Jan 2012 Posts: 6

This is my first posting in the forum so here goes Very Happy

I have recently applied with a recruitment agency to teach in ADEC schools. I have passed the phone interview and am awaiting a date for the in person interview. I was wondering if anyone knew how many applicants get accepted/rejected. I am very excited but hesitant to get my hopes up to then be let down. I am in my 4th year teaching at the elementary level. I have a masters degree with ESOL endorsement.

Also, if I do not get accepted with ADEC what are my other options? How do I find additional opportunities?

Thank you in advance for any help or advice!

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I highly doubt that anyone here knows the acceptance/rejection numbers for any recruiter and they aren't telling. Laughing

I'm assuming that you are certified in your state? With your credentials, you should be able to find a position.

Is it Teachaway? Even if not, I would check out their facebook page. You can find out the pros and cons of these jobs in the UAE. Many of the schools are not for the faint of heart... you need good classroom management skills.

If you are currently in the US, the best place to look for overseas jobs are the job fairs held by ISS. Check out their website.

VS

robinbanks · Joined: 28 Apr 2009 Posts: 77

If you're not a statesider are you a brit ?Do you have your PGCE?if you are I would be careful of ADEC-their priorities are getting the statistics that students are "improving',keeping principal's/school management "sweet"as any thought of 'change' or 'professional development"means getting your students through by hook or by crook-usually crook.Also you could get shoved out to Liwa where you'll need a car and lot's of good books.
Alternatives if you're a qualified Brit/irish the Al Yasmeena,Al Kubairat British School,the Brighton School,zayed academy for Girls (if you're a woman).
Good luck!

Raffael2 · Joined: 07 Jan 2012 Posts: 6

I am certified and in the US. I teach at a school with 98% of the students receiving free and reduced lunch and 95% African-American. I have been dealing with extreme behaviors for the past 3 years so I feel that my classroom management skills are fairly strong.

Unfortunately, I feel that the political situation at the schools isn't great in the states either.

I am going through Candecom but have been on the Teach Away site. It seems like everyone has a different experience and I'm not sure how totally honest everyone is because it is a Teach Away sponsored site. I am also able to take a leave of absence from my current position to teach overseas.

Ive always wanted to teach overseas and feel like now is as good as a time as any Very Happy

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Teachaway seems to have the best reputation from teachers who have posted here. Do a search for Candecom... I do recall mention of it in the past.

You will find that many/most of your students will be the opposite of your current students. What the UAE has are spoiled rich kids. (in relative terms) Of course the richest families do not send their kids to the public schools, but to the international schools. What you have are kids who have never heard the word 'no' - especially the boys. Laughing

I think you would find it an interesting experience.

VS

Gus Barkley · Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Posts: 78

When I read this from VS:

mimi_intheworld · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 167 Location: UAE

If you have a US certification and experience, you have a good chance. Everyone I've met who used Caneducom as their recruiter (it's smaller than Teach Away) has had positive things to say. Their recruit-to-hire rate seems pretty high (that statement is based purely on anecdotal evidence). The Teach Away discussion boards on facebook are pretty full of accurate experiences teaching for ADEC.

What VS said about the students is pretty accurate. My students are accustomed to being marked on the appearance of their projects, not the actual quality of work produced. After 3 or 4 years of ADEC's LT scheme, this is beginning to change.

Term 1 marks were just released at my school, and these marks show that change is coming; the students' success in English is increasing. Slowly.

Everyone's experience is so different, though, that my effusive enjoyment of the way it goes here probably makes other members of this board think I'm a ringer or something. When the truth is, I've had much worse jobs, in much worse schools, with MUCH worse students and administrators and all the rest, in "Western" countries. I'm completely happy here and wish anyone attempting the same the best of luck.

...If ADEC doesn't work out, there are private schools aplenty you can apply to work at. Several have been mentioned in this thread. PM me for more information.

dash201 · Joined: 19 Dec 2011 Posts: 25 Location: United Kingdom

I may as well jump in on this as well as I am also considering ADEC through Teachaway. I am in the UK and have looked on the TES website and have applied like crazy with minimal success with the exception of Kuwait (have been told an offer is on its way but not sure what to expect!) and Qatar (offered has been made but have heard Doha is not exactly a great place and the offer is less money than I would have hoped - $3372/�2200 a month).

I have 8 years experience in primary teaching and I am at the top of the main pay scale (M6). I have a BA Hons in Education and have completed my Primary PGCE./

Does anybody know what sort of salary I may be offered for a school in Abu Dhabi with my experience.

Thanks all.

Abashiri · Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 7

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dash201 · Joined: 19 Dec 2011 Posts: 25 Location: United Kingdom

Personally, I deem myself to a great teacher. I work hard all day, every day and I don't do the giving up thing. I can tolerate children who can be rude but I can be firm as well and to be fair, if they insult me, I really don't care!

So is there anything positive to ADEC schools? Any idea of a typical school day? And how well resourced they are? Even if it is dirty and manners are bad, it is an experience! I am looking for something new. I currently have to suffer with children that have excellent manners, read very well, study hard and are generally brilliant...near on perfection...perfection bores me!!!

Cheers

diodeone · Joined: 30 Sep 2011 Posts: 28

dash201 · Joined: 19 Dec 2011 Posts: 25 Location: United Kingdom

Unfortunately there are no vacancies on there. I guess they only use an agency to employ teachers...possibly!

It's Scary! · Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Posts: 823

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

From what has been posted here, ADEC is doing almost all, if not all, hiring through recruiters. Thus far, with this contract, there has been little problem with the recruiters and the pay has been higher than normal for K-12 teaching in the Gulf.

The biggest disadvantage has been that the contract provides no school fees for those 'married with children.'

Conditions will vary by school as any reading of the Teachaway Facebook page or the few posts here shows. Naturally in a contract like this, there will be school administrations who resent these changes and are not very supportive.

VS

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Manners? Lack of manners is the least of your problems in GCC public schools for boys. There have been stabbings, families who beat up teachers for giving poor grades or having disciplined a child. On the other hand, some Arab teachers have hit, caned, or stabbed a child with a pencil (reported in the newspapers) so it's not all "one sided".

Is this the case in all public schools? No. But unless you have someone who can advise about your particular school before you arrive, I'd be very cautious.

ADEC seems to give teachers more support than other employers. Just be aware that parents with wasta will trump any card the teacher or ADEC tries to play.