There are several things to consider. Are you single or part of a teaching couple? Do you have international experience or is this your first go at it? My advice is that if you are interested in Search, make sure they will allow you to attend the fair before you pay the $. I planned to attend the Search Fair in Boston this past year, but was denied to opportunity because I was single with no international teaching experience. The Search Rep I assigned insisted I go to the later San Fran fair even though the schools I was interested in were going to be in Boston. Of course this was after I had already paid the money. So, I jumped ship and went with ISS. Their fair was the week after the Boston fair. It all worked out fine and I ended with 5 good offers and I'm super excited about where I'm headed. I would add that the Search database is far superior to ISS, but ISS people were far better to work with for me. My two cents. Good luck!

Dawson, I guess that would depend on what you would consider difficult. I think in my research I found one Middle Eastern country in which being gay isn't considered illegal. I have friends living in the ME and have no personal bias against the ME, but I'm not crazy about the idea of moving to a country where I could be thrown into jail, or worse, simply for who I am. I've read many articles about this. Here's one if you are interested:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wor ... minalized/

Personally I would encourage you to go to a fair. I heard the same things and was skeptical. I have 30 years of experience and was feeling the same way. I'm older than you (52 yo) so I don't think that has anything to do with it. Lots of CVs sent out and nothing but rejection. Signed up for the fair as a last ditch effort. 2 days before the fair all hell broke loose. Started getting emails requesting interviews BEFORE the actual interview day. Had 2 Skype interviews and 2 live interviews before sign up even started. Filled my interview "dance card" in 45 minutes at the "speed dating" part. The interview process was great. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking with so many different directors. It was a whirlwind and I landed my dream job at a PYP school in Europe and I have no PYP experience. In spite of what others say, I think you can't beat the face to face time with the directors. You CAN find a place. Be confident and put yourself out there!

I am a gay man who just came home from my first ISS fair in Boston and found the schools I spoke with to be very open and honest. I interviewed with about 8 or 9 different schools and the gay thing was always brought up as part of the discussion and never felt like a negative. Personally, I wouldn't want to teach somewhere where I had to be closeted again. I steered clear of schools in Africa, the Middle East, some parts of Asia and religious based schools for this reason. Incidentally I ended up with 5 offers (4 of the 5 in great schools/countries). Couldn't be happier and more excited for the future.

Sid, thanks for your response . . . it truly gives me hope!

Thanks for the tip bird, I'll check out HL Erickson. I, too, have had an interview via Skype and am supposed to interview in person in Boston with one school. But it's not an IB school so we'll see what happens. It's at least in an area of SA that I think I'd like.

heyteach, I got a request for an interview from Colegio Americano. I did find it odd though that they have no fall break or spring break and a very short winter break. But, Quito sounds cool so I'll see what they have to say.

Thanks for the advice Kali . . . I'll check that out.

Yea, Mac . . . am going to Boston . . . I'm open to Mexico, Central/South America, Caribbean, Asia, Europe. Also happen to be a gay man so not into Africa, the Middle East or the parts of Asia where I can get thrown in jail for being gay. :wink:

Thanks wrldtrvlr . . . I'm going to the Boston ISS Fair so maybe I'll find myself in the right place there. :-) Just don't want to stand in line to ask for an interview only to hear the same broken record. Maybe I can chat a few schools up at the presentations and get a feel for who's open to an interview. I'm really pretty open to smaller schools, newer schools, etc. Guess I'll have to wait and see how things pan out.

So, can anyone enlighten me on how to break in to the PYP club? Most of my rejection emails state, "Sorry, you must have PYP experience to apply for this position." How does one get PYP experience if none of the PYP schools will even interview you?

I've read up on the PYP a bit and there seems to be a lot of overlap with non-PYP. Many of the schools use Everyday Math or Investigations Math (both of which I've taught), many use Reader's and Writer's Workshop (both of which I've taught), Many use FOSS science, (Which I've taught), etc. etc. Are there schools out there that are willing to look at more than just those 3 letters? I don't mean to sound snarky, but I'm not sure how to get PYP experience if no PYP schools will interview me.