I have visited the Green School and it is really wonderful. Even if you don't plan on working there I would highly recommend visiting, enrolling in the Green Educators course and making some connections.

As far as other similar schools? Check out educationrevolution.org (AERO) for a list of democratic, progressive schools throughout the world. I had my eye on the Cuixmala School in Mexico, which I found through AERO, but I accepted an offer from another school before I heard back from Cuixmala. Seems like an amazing place, though.
http://www.cuixmalaschool.com/

Another interesting school I found while searching for progressive schools is Panyaden in Chiang Mai. It has a special focus on mindfulness education. http://www.panyaden.ac.th/

Also check out the LIFE School in Guatemala http://www.lifeschoolweb.com/

The only drawback to these schools is that most of them seem to offer local salaries. If you can afford the pay cut, I'm sure it would be a unique and fulfilling experience. Good luck!

After you accept a job you're supposed to put those "feelers" back in.

Think about it. What if the tables were turned? What if you landed your dream job, only to be told a month later, "I know we offered you the job, but we weren't really wowed by you, so we kept our feelers out and found a teacher that we like better than you."

I know it sucks to see this opportunity that seems perfect for you after you already signed a contract. Perhaps it would help if you remember what it is about the first school that made you sign with them. The school and job can't be that bad if you chose them out of all the other offers you received. Who knows, maybe this will turn out to be the perfect job for you. If not, you will only be more experienced and attractive to your first choice school in two years.

Justlooking, I am an upper elementary teacher, single with one dependent, no IB experience. Supposedly the early fairs favor couples with IB experience. Go figure.

Litgal, don't give up hope. You are going to Boston, right? It looks like tons of schools will be there. Fairs are full of surprises.

This was my first fair and it was amazing!!

Before fair: Sent notifications of interest and emails to at least 30 schools. Got three responses. Schools 1 and 2 told me to drop by their tables at sign-up. School 3 said they wanted to meet me before the sign-ups.

Friday: interviewed with School 3. Went well, loved the school, but wanted a chance to see what else was out there.

Got an interview request from School 1, nothing from School 2.

Got interview requests from four more schools. Of these four schools, two were schools that I had no previous communication with. I declined these interviews. The other two schools were schools that I had sent emails to at least a month earlier, but got no response from until this day. I declined an interview with one of these schools, and accepted an interview with the other (school 4).

Saturday: At the sign-ups I schedule my interviews with school 1 and school 4. I go to school School 2's table and see that they no longer have an opening for the positions I'm seeking.

I have 3 hours before my interview with school 4. I prepare by scouring the internet, reading everything on their website. Oh my. I start to fall in love with this school just by reading about it. I'm practically dancing in my chair during the interview. Interview goes well. Feeling really good now.

I go to my interview with school 1, interview went well, but can't keep my mind off school 4. It just seemed like a perfect fit, and I knew I could convince them of that if given the chance. School 1 offers me a position. I thank them, tell them I'll think about it, then put a note in their box declining the offer.

Went to social event that evening and loved it!

Sunday: Had follow-up interview with school 3, the school that interviewed me before the sign-ups. He offers me a job. I love this school but I love the other one too, so I ask for a day to think about it.

Had follow-up interview with school 4. They offer me a job. I accept.

Monday: Hang out in Bangkok. Reflect on this experience, dream of the future. Feeling very fortunate and grateful for all the people who helped me with recommendations and advice.

So there you have it. A school sent me nothing for a month, then all of a sudden wants to interview me at the fair. That's the school that worked out for me. So I guess it's true, anything can happen at a fair.

I highly recommend going to a fair. There's just nothing like meeting and connecting in person.

Good luck Briz! I'm here too! Had one interview which went very well. A few requests for interviews. I like the vibe here, ISS people very helpful and friendly, other candidates seem pretty relaxed.

In the US you can get certified in in ESOL, Pk-12. It's just one of many comparable teaching certificate areas, such as elem ed, special ed, Art, HS English, etc. Keep in mind this is not TEFL certification. This is a state issued certification. Check Search and ISS and you will see many job listings for ESL teachers. I can't imagine any teacher coming out of her degree program with a certification in ESL accepting a position that pays half of what a home room teacher would get.

I've never heard of an international school paying ESL teachers less either.

I think the EPIK job would count, since it is a position teaching at a public school, not a language academy. So on your CV you would just write the name of the public school where you worked and your position, (ESL teacher, English teacher or whatever) just like any other job.

Try TIE online and Joyjobs.com. You might also want to join Search Associates even though you're not going to a fair. Unlike many other sites, Search lists the pay, benefits, and whether or not they will hire teachers in your personal situation (single parent, teacher w/non-teaching spouse, etc). ISS (International Schools Service) is another option, but their database doesn't have as much information as you will find on Search. Many schools will arrange skype interviews in lieu of an in-person interview at a fair.

With your education and experience, and since you are open to the place you will be living, you should have no trouble finding a job.

I have contacted about 40 schools for positions and have only gotten two replies--no interviews or scheduled interviews. I don't get it. I am pretty open as far as geographic region. I don't even care if it is a top-ranked, top-paying school.

I checked google maps for hostels near the Shangri-La. I found a hostel which is 5 minutes walking distance from the hotel. It's called Saphaipe Hostel. It's really cheap, about $15 USD a night for a bed in a dorm room. They also have private rooms for a higher rate. http://www.hoteltravel.com/thailand/ban ... haipae.htm