Actually PsyGuy, you are very mistaken with that assumption. :)

My sister and I have actually already traveled extensively together to more than 5 countries over a course of two months.

Going is actually less about the experience with my sister than it is the financial benefit of my husband and I paying down debt. My husband and I planned 3 years ago on going abroad for this reason...it just so happened that my sister went before us and said we could join her there. So it's lining up with our original decision anyway. So we applied and here we are. Trying to figure out the logistics of it all.

I really do appreciate all of your advice though! Thanks.

Thank you psyguy and wrldtrvlr123!

Your responses are VERY insightful and helpful.

I have been gaining more and more information. My sister got me in contact with other teachers from the school and the general consensus is that they enjoy it there. My husband and I are leaning towards going so we shall see.

He will be completing his degree. The school said they could possibly employ him in another position so there is an option there as well.

Thanks @admin

Ohh okay. Yeah, my thoughts exactly.

I’m sure my sister is signing on for 2 more years at this school. The whole idea was to be close together living in a different country. We’re really close. We are a year apart in age. Went to the same university and lived together after college for 3 years before I got married.

We wanted to live near each other and so on...it’s just when I saw my salaray package, I started to second guess the decision since I’ll be supporting my husband and son as well. My husband really wants to go though.

We also discussed finding a new school after this one if we really like it and possibly going to live a different country. Idea would be to maximize our potential income as a teaching couple.

Thanks for your reply!

I’m a certified teacher in elementary education. 4 years in the USA and 1 abroad in Korea.

After doing some more research on the school, it seems like it’s only the high school that’s “international”. The elemntary side of it is something else. I think bilingual. Though my sister’s salary is still very close to mine and she is in the high school.

I actually don’t know what you mean by DS.


I haven’t seen the health package yet. 3 bedrooms is more comfortable for us, but we could do 2.

2LDK? I’m not sure what you mean.

@secondplace

Wow, 5,000? That's concerning. We'd definitely need a 3 bedroom. I'm just not sure what is considered "decent" in that city. My relative says it's really cheap and that she has a two bedroom while only spending 1,800rmb of the housing allowance.

That is exactly what I was thinking.

I believe the city name is Suzhou, China.

I've recently applied to a job in China and interviewed with them. I was given this offer. The package they gave me seems really low. Much lower than I expected I could earn. The only reason I'm considering this school is because I have a relative that works there. This position is for an elementary teaching position.


Here is my experience.

BA in English
5 years of full time teaching experience.


Base Salary RMB 20,400/ monthly

Housing Allowance
Option 1 Will be reimbursed for the actual amount of rent paid, up to 2,050 RMB per month
Option 2 A non-shared one bedroom apartment for single teacher. A two bedroom apartment for teaching couples.


CNY Bonus RMB 2,400/annually (paid in February).

Completion of Contract Bonus RMB 16,000 (for two-year contract)


Relocation Fee Teachers will be reimbursed up to 12,000 RMB for the following:

One-way ticket to China. Visa Expense. All visas will be paid by the school, including the health check in China. This reimbursement does not include the health exam in your home country

Return Flights(FOR TWO-YEAR CONTRACTS ONLY) RMB 6,000

Tax=(Basic salary-5,000)*20%-1410 All bonuses and return flights are prorated if the contract is not a full year




I will be traveling with my husband and 2 year old son as well, but this salary package doesn't seem to include them. I asked the school if they would be covering their expenses as well, but have not received a response yet.


Thank you!

Thanks everyone for their replies! I believe we are definitely going to wait at least another year because of the baby on the way. I can't even imagine the pressure of living in a new country and being a new mom. Even though I've lived abroad before, my husband has not so we just want to make the right choice for both of us.

Our eyes are set on the Middle East and Asia. The UAE specifically in the Middle East and multiple countries in Asia.

Does anyone have any specifics about these regions as far as my husband seeking employment without a degree? Or possibly specific countries that he would have visa issues in gaining employment without the degree?

Savings potential is probably the most important, but not at a complete sacrifice to lifestyle. The ideal scenario is that he's hired on at the school I work at full time. How do we present this in a cover letter or during an interview?

Is my husband considered a trailing spouse if we present that he's also seeking employment at the school?

We are also an interracial couple. Are there countries that would look down upon that or our interracial child? Family friendly is definitly important!

I have been lurking and posting on this board for a few years now. Each year asking for new advice since my situation and credentials keep changing. I still want to get back abroad though so here we go!

I'll start with the basics.

BA English
EC-6 Certification
3 years certified teaching experience

1 year ESL in South Korea
.5 year student teaching in IB elementary School
2 years of Teaching Assistant

Married to a non-teaching spouse, but his current position is in IT at an elementary school. He basically fixes the computers/ipads and internet problems they may have. He also completes other tasks such as shooting and editing videos for the school, updating the school website, taking pictures and many other duties. Every now and then they may put him in the classroom to help sub and also works the front desk part of the day. His core duties are his IT responsibilities.

Spouse has an AA degree and currently working towards finishing his BA online. About 2 years to go. He would like to get certified to teach as well, but is also interested in IT.

We also have a dependent on the way. Will be here May 2017.

We have flirted with the idea of going abroad before he finishes his bachelors and while abroad he would complete it online. My question is, would my husband be able to get employment at a school in a non-teaching position without his BA? He's not interested in being a stay at home dad while abroad.

So what are our options? What countries are available to us if my husband doesn't have his BA yet, but still would like to work.

Thank you!

Thank you Basmad6! I like the timeline you posted for having documents ready in the fall.

I really appreciate everyone's advice! I definitely have a clear game plan on how this next school year will go. I'm glad I asked early in the summer so that I could prepare for the fall!


Thanks again!

PsyGuy,

What do you mean borrow the science teacher's experience?

Also, do you mean capture video of me teaching various lessons throughout the year? How many videos would I need for a good portfolio? One of each subject?

I forgot to mention that I also teach Science "Reinforcement". The children have a separate science teacher that they go to twice a week to do their hands on experiments. Once a week or so, I review power points or chapters with the students in their textbooks and have them complete assignments.

All of the Pre-K - 2nd grade teachers are required to complete a Science Fair project with their class. It must include pictures of the experiment, hypotheses, predictions, conclusions, resources....I could take a video of my class completing this science project as well.

psyguy,

The whole point on coming back to the USA to teach for two years was to better my chances. From the sound of that, I should have just went abroad as soon as I got my certification since apparently it's not counting for anything.

My classroom management skills are rather good actually. I'm quite capable of managing the same class all day long.

A few of those certifications you mentioned I wouldn't be interested in. My title actually is primary teacher and that's what is on the resume, not specialist.

I also teach Social Studies. Many times this previous year, the reading teacher and I integrated the social studies and language lessons. When they learned about Native American tribes or famous inventors through history, they had reading lessons on the same topic. I could spin my social studies block to include a lot more reading (use of inferencing skills, drawing conclusions, predictions...) and writing (writing process). I'll save my lessons, student work samples, and keep it in a portfolio. Hopefully, when asked about my lack of reading teaching experience, I can dive into how students received "reading/writing" instruction from me nearly everyday during social studies and spin it that way. Maybe that'll work?

As I said before, I'll try to gain the reading position, if not I'll try the above. Along with my complete confidence in the ability to teach it. It is what it is.

I really appreciate your advice.

Thank you tommypizza and heyteach!

I hadn't heard of the Iowa fair before. That sounds like a good option. I'm definitely trying to have my ducks in a row and prepare for the fall to do it right! Summer vacation started this week and I'm already planning for next year to make sure I make the best out of my last year. I like the idea of making a list of places I definitely wouldn't go to or things I couldn't live with.

I definitely won't accept just anything! Thanks again for the advice!

Thank you sitka!

I've travelled to both the UAE and China. I also have friends working in both countries and they love it. If I had to choose one out of the two, it would be China so I'll be putting it on the list!

I think that would be true for me if I hadn't already lived in South Korea and travelled extensively since then. I was completely blown away at the "idea" of living an experiencing a different culture that practically nothing bothered me. Since the novelty of being a first timer abroad has worn off, I'm definitely not in the mindset to go just anywhere. Safety is a major concern.

Resume building is important and getting into PYP will be a top priority.

Thank you for your advice.

Thank you both for your responses!

Psyguy,

I unfortunately only have a video of the production. It definitely didn't win any regional awards. It's strictly an in-school musical. Next year I can add video of us practicing and "getting prepared".

Those regions were the top of my list and I knew were a long shot, but I'd definitely be interested in opening it up in other regions in East and SE Asia. I'm also interested in central/south America, but I know it doesn't pay too well. Europe is ideal, I know difficult without the right documentation. I'm also not interested in living or working in the ME or Africa. I'm back and forth with China. I need to be able to save as well.

I was also wondering if it is just as difficult to get into a Christian International School in those "Little Tiger" countries or just in general? From the research I've done on this site, a lot of people tend to avoid them, because they don't share the same background or belief. I've heard of a couple of organizations such as the Network of International Christian Schools (NICS) or Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). I'm just not sure how they rank up there with the Tier 2 or 3 schools.

It would be impossible to change positions at this point. Namely, because I have already signed my contract and I'm not in the position to deal with the ramifications for breaking it. There is a reading teacher on my grade level that quit, so I could ask my principal if I could have her position. She tends to want to keep new teachers in the same position for the 1st two years. She told me in my 3rd year, she would move me to a literacy position, but by then I'd be gone.

I can definitely work the IB experience I gained in that position since it is a good playing card.

Getting married would be out.

1. I could definitely add a k-12 fine art certification. I took several classes in the university and am a self study artist. I also taught it for a semester in an after school program. I've been wanting to add this one anyway. I may also add an ELL Cert.

2. Still paying most of my debt from my undergrad, plus I'm very unsure of what I'd get a masters in. I want to wait a few more years on that one.

3. I never got trained, but I could take a training course on it if it'll help!

4. I'd really have to think what I could do in the after school program that would be completely different from others. Definitely something to consider!

5. I love those ideas for networking! I'm currently researching schools I'd be interested in now and finally signed up for this website so I can read the reviews.

6. Yes, I'm happy with my appearance.

7. I'm pretty good with writing and words. I like how those titles you wrote are presented!


migrantingbird,

That's great to hear you got into a Tier 2 school! I hope the same for me. I'll definitely add Malaysia to my list. It sounds really promising! I like the idea of Education Apps and Websites. It just so happens that I recently went to an awesome training that dealt exactly with this! So many resources and forward thinking websites that could do wonders for a classroom. I'll be adding that to my resume as well!

A little about me...

BA - English
EC- 6 Generalist Certification
TESOL Certificate

1 year - Magnet School in USA (Math and Science)
1 year ESL in South Korea
.5 year Student teaching IB School

Single with no dependents

Have a couple years of experience as an aide, assistant teacher, after school enrichment teacher/tutor, and substitute, but I know it doesn't count for much.

I plan on entering the international school circuit in the year of 2016-2017, but I want to get prepared now! I came back to do my 2 years, because I didn't want to start at the bottom of the barrel schools. In my final year, what things should I consider doing for/at my school to help increase my chances of securing a better position?

---We have a great after school program with tons of activities that I could get involved in. Other than that, I'm not sure what else I could do to add to my resume.
---Teachers are also required to coordinate with their own class a final year musical (Dance, costumes, lights) the whole package. My partner teacher and I coordinated one this year and will again next year, which I believe would look good on a resume?

I should also state that my school is a math and science magnet. It's departmentalized and I am the math teacher. I will also be teaching math again next year. So I'll have virtually no reading teaching experience apart from some summer school teaching I did for a month a year prior. I know this will probably hurt my resume. :(

Region of interest:
Asia - Top countries would be: Japan, Singapore, Thailand, or Hong Kong. I might be shooting pretty high with those choices, but they are of interest to me. Also, I've very involved in my church and would also be interested teaching in Christian schools.

Thank you in advance.