| ''....they
knew they are breaking the laws of their home countries but would feel
no moral objection in doing
so if they could get away with it''.
How true--and if truth be known, more than half of these people
wouldn't get a job 'back home'....... |
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| Our
director says things like ''Well, if you don't like it, there are dozens
of people breaking down my door
to get your job''...in Hawalli, Kuwait? Don't think so, fellow! |
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Love
your web site; and I completely agree with your comments above. However,
you need a copy editor. It should be 'losing' not 'loosing' above. And
that is just one obvious lapse. You will, I know, forgive a teacher for
these comments. |
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I
don't have time to write much, but it is true that sometimes teachers
are upset and feel no recourse but to write on ISR. Directors should
be open to communication to help avoid this. EVERY SCHOOL has problems
and unfortunately there are A FEW teachers that write down unfair comments
without trying other outlets first. I think that these comments usually
show through and people disregard them. It is when you see a trend of
comments saying similar things about a school when eyebrows are and should
be raised. I can understand that administrators become angry when their
names are used unfairly. I think that ISR should consider more than one
approach to its web site. It may be a better choice to leave things as
they are, however I do think that ISR hurts people's lives unfairly personally
and professionally at times. ISR is not only a teacher's web site, but
often parents read it too, which is really no different than a "parking lot conversation". I like ISR and I read it and subscribe to it to look for trends at schools.
I do think that ISR is irresponsible at times, and I think I speak for
a silent majority
when it comes to that issue. Please do not take this as a condemnation
of ISR, like I said I use it as a tool when recruiting or looking into
schools. I do think that it is possible to change and reevaluate ourselves
from time to time. GOOD LUCK!
|
|
| If
only we did not need ISR! |
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Fine
directors don't have to worry...through "word of mouth" they get positive feed back from professionals. Directors that are arrogant,
incompetent, and think they're "god" when overseas end up EARNING, (in general), negative feedback from those who
have worked for them. Ironically, they are the ones that are so insecure,
they worry about the comments made on ISR.
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|
"Most
of these emails have one thing in common--they often assume a “tone”
and “posture” reflective of the way in which these individual have been
described
in the very reviews to which they object. It's odd they don't recognize
this fact."
Not at all odd. To understand, you just need to crawl inside
the head of one of these abusive directors to see things their way. Most
of these types of directors don't recognize their crimes against school
communities because they don't see them anymore. They have been living
lies, have surrounded themselves with approving sycophants, including
most recruiters and accrediting agencies, for so long they actually have
convinced themselves that they are essentially good, caring persons,
doing a good job and the right thing. After all, their friends and agencies
confirm this. I'm no psychologist but isn't that the classic pattern
of a sociopath or even a psychopath? However, it's almost always the
teachers, the ones that dare to constructively criticize anyway, that
are painted as "cowards." This is the abusive director's knee-jerk reaction to any 'cheeky' teacher who,
often unintentionally, holds up a mirror and confronts his/her leader
with the nasty reflection. When this does happen, the director takes
it this way: I, the director, am basically a good person, why then do
these teachers not see this? Why do they insist that I am doing things
the wrong way. Oh, it must be them who are disgruntled cowards. Let's
not pay them any mind. They're out of a job because they are bad for
the school and me and I am still a good person.
Just how cowardly is it when a teacher makes any comment that can seem normal
to you and me which is then turned into a mighty challenge to these directors'
authority and that teacher gets reprimanded, degraded, insulted, threatened,
blackballed and/or is then disposed of as undesirable because there is often
no legal recourse in private institutions? The only cowards I see in this growing
conflict between those school communities adversely affected and patently unhealthy
leadership are the director and all those that support him/her.
Surely, many dictatorial directors, and I've met a few in
my time, live in this topsy turvy world where they see themselves as
saviors of their schools and the critical teachers as trash(ers). It
is only ISR that dares to take these warped individuals on and warns
boards, parents and teachers alike of just how badly such a 'leader'
can ruin a child's education and a teacher's career. You just keep turning
those tables ISR, most of us know up from down! |
|
Yes,
it's true, some very good schools exist, and I have been fortunate to
find myself working at one of them. Even though you say 'learn all about
a school
before you go there' it is not that easy. I had a bad experience for
my first year here in Kuwait, but there was no way I could have known
how
difficult it would be before signing the contract. The schools only
reveal what they want you to know, and you find out the truth as you
proceed
through the first couple of months teaching. In my case, I decided to
hang in there
and see out the 1-yr. contract, then I moved to another local school
where I am now very happy. However, I have heard some bad things about
this
school. From my experience, some western people can be very difficult
to please.
If you are going to work overseas, remember it will be DIFFERENT than
your school in America or England. I like it here in Kuwait. I intend
to stay
for a while yet. I know some bad things happen, but I have memories of
some of the awful things that have happened elsewhere, especially in
America. If I had one piece
of advice it would be...For the first year, only sign a one-yr. contract.
If you sign for 2 years and only stay for 1, most schools will not transfer
your residency, you lose other benefits and the whole thing can turn
sour. If you insist, many schools will be happy with a 1-yr contract.
Remember,
you can have a very rewarding and happy career working as a teacher in
the Middle East. A lot depends on your attitude! |
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From
above..."teachers use web venues to save themselves and others from loosing money, time
and even their careers. " Please take the time to spellcheck/proofread carefully. Mistakes like "loosing" give the wrong impression about a very professional organisation. Keep up the
good work!!
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I
think that there are unfair comments on ISR regarding my School - and
it is an indication of the quality of this particular 'teacher' that
he did not have the courage to raise these issue honestly with us at
the time but chose the cloak of anonymity. Our retention rate is excellent
and of 25 staff who are up for renewal, 22 have renewed - one has not
had his contract renewed and a couple are returning to their home country.
Speaks for itself, really. |
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