One thing to keep in mind is that if you are already vested into a state teacher retirement back in the states U have some options to buy years. In California for example you can buy up to 5 years teaching experience. You have to be presently employed by a public school in California to buy your years but it is possible.

It takes 5 years to be vested in STRS in Cali. Once you are then any year you come back after that will count towards your retirement. In order to buy years you will have to presently be working in the public schools of california.

Now the cost to buy years changes as you make more money in your salary and as your age increases. But I think a good figure to factor it up on is that to buy 5 years of your retirement it will cost you roughly a years gross salary. You can finance the cost over 10 years at like 5% interest and take it out of your checks or you can pay in a lump sum.

Thus if you leave for 5 years and save money, although you don't have a pension internationally many times, you can come back and take that money you saved and buy years in your states retirement system. It will vary state by state but there are provisions in each state. Something to think about that will give you more freedom.

My first job fair, but it was very well run IMO. It was organized and wasn't so big where you get lost or feel it is impersonal. The staff was helpful and the atmosphere was friendly. I would go back to UNI without a doubt. I especially enjoyed visiting with other candidates and school administration to find out about different countries etc. There are alot of great schools out there it seems and the superintendents and principals were almost all very professional and truly nice people.

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I didn't get an interview as they were at UNI. They almost hired a guy I met there for PE. They don't include housing according to him. That is big money he said and they have taxes as well. The $ was high but hte savings potential is eaten up in housing and taxes. Probably 40% of the $ would go towards housing and taxes.

Many of the top schools do attend UNI now. Aramco, JIS, American School of Shanghai etc.....

SAS wasn't there and that was disappointing yes. Taipei wasn't there either, nor was any Japan schools.

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I'm faced with a decision similar to yours, in that my school district won't even grant a leave of absence for 1 year. I basically will have to resign my position. I have to take a leap of faith and trust that God has a plan for me. I feel compelled to do this and I will resign my position when that time comes. I originally was hoping to take a 1 year sabbatical which didn't happen, and then leave of absence which didn't happen. I am forced to think should I feel a prisoner of the job I have? I am choosing to have faith, resign my position, rent out my townhouse, and see what this international teaching has in store for me.

Losing tenure and seniority is a sacrifice, but so is never being able to pursue a dream. I mean how often can we actually pursue a dream? It doesn't take that much sacrifice, although it does mean giving up a little. But the thought of what you may end up with just outweighs it for me.

One major negative of teaching on a 1 year contract is that come January (4 months into your new job) you have to start looking for your next one. Now you have to go through ISS, SA, UNI and beat the bushes to land your next job. Thus you will probably teach at your new school longer Jan-June (6 months) looking for your next job or actually agreeing to a new contract at a new school.

yes there is a chance.... i just had a phone interview last night with Ivy Collegiate School in Taiwan.... they offer 1year contracts. they are a boarding school and for me I'm not looking for that..... but they do offer 1 year contracts to new hires exclusively.

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