Teacher Discussion Forums

Dear Readers of this web site,

How would I go about getting a job teaching elementary school in Beslan, Russia? I'm sure everyone remembers that Beslan is the site where the terrorists took over the school last August and many were killed. Would an American teacher, who doesn't know how to speak Russian well, be welcomed there? If so, what should be my first steps? I'd like to know people's thoughts.

Dear cricket,
I think you have to ask yourself why you really want to teach there. I think that sometimes misguided feelings of wanting to do good can actually do a lot of harm. Not saying that's your case necessarily. From the footage I've seen of Beslan it looks fairly remote. There may be very few English speakers around. After what they have gone through they may be deeply suspicious of outsiders. Or maybe not. I also imagine the place is steeped in interminable sadness - is that where you want to work? I recently visited Longarone in Italy where the Vajont dam disaster in the Sixties left around two thousand people dead. Whole familes just swept away, erased. There was an incredible sadness to the place and we're talking about forty years ago. I don't think being American as such you'd have any problems. Good luck with your choice.