Hi again,
The pm feature didn't work for me to send you the contact information of the teachers in MEFIS.

You can reach me through this foru,be sure to add your email:
http://www.sencercorlu.com/eforms/askme.htm

I worked two years in MEFIS between 2004-2006. It may not be the best school in Turkey, but a peaceful environment especially in primary school following an authorised PYP curriculum. Primary head, John Burns is leaving at the end of this school year, but the staff are highly qualified, and the school has become an established good school over the lest 5 years. Thanks to J. Potter's efforts.

National schools in Istanbul become challenging starting from middle school up because of the level entrance exams. There is a bunch of very good schools that follow PYP curriculum, Koc, SEV, Irmak, Anafen, HEV, etc...Almost all equipped with latest technology and other educational materials, do not worry about that. Besides you can always have a visit and see the environment yourself.

If you have more specific questions, do not hesitate to write me, I can put you in contact with some teachers in MEFIS who will be honest with you.

As a Bogazici graduate, I never knew IICS was located in RC campus.

[quote][b]The general consensus[/b] here is that if you are keen to teach in Turkey, then Istek is the only respectable choice.[/quote]

no, it is not, at least I don't agree the first part of the sentence. But happy to hear ISTEK is going back to its old days.

I have taught at an international school in my native country; Turkey, currently teaching at an american style curriculum school abroad, and considering a job offer from a European country as my next destination. I didn't receive any complaints about my accent, or about my style of teaching so far. I have excellent references, and enjoy doing what I do the best.

However, I hear the schools in South Asia and Gulf have some reservations against non-native speakers of English, even though it is not an ESL position. But I also know a Turkish friend of mine who is working in that region and doing excellent job.
Even in such a case, I do not think there will be a mass reaction from the parents but a few particular parents of tough kids will complain about you being a non-nativea and may use this as an excuse to take advantage over the school. This is simply a power/mind game. In that case, your future and peace will depend on your admin who should support you. In my opinion, these parents just do not care about the quality of the education their kids receive, but they will look at the label attached. They are narrow minded people who are proud of their kids to be graduates of an american school.
I doubt any good university or employer takes into consideration if the school of their potential candidate is American or British.

As a response to msjane; Can you tell me these countries, because I have not heard of any employment law against any nation in any part of the world. It may be easier for EU nationals to work in EU countries, but putting restrictions of employement of some nationalities is just not possible, unless that is a communist regime, a raicist director or you are going to a country which is at war with yours.

So, my last word as a general principal:
Avoid schools, who advertise as offering American/British education instead of advertising that they offer quality education; and I think [b]it is rubbish to teach at a school where your skills as a good teacher will not be appreciated.[/b]

I haven't worked there, but worked in Turkey for four years and I have Turkish nationality.
The Istek Vakfi was founded by the governor of Istanbul, Bedrettin Dalan as a group of private schools. He is a well-known figure in Istanbul, and a very succesful businessman. The quality was top, and the schools were very popular and successful for a period of the first 10 years. Then he decided to expand more, around 15 schools all over Istanbul now, but the salaries and the education quality went upside down. He also owns/runs an affiliated university, Yeditepe. I don't know much about the current situation, but in general you should expect:
- no delays in payment,
- unprofessional management
- long meeting times
- working days extended to saturdays, either as a part of curriculum planning meetings or national day ceremonies
- spoiled, rich, and unbehaving kids,
- minimum support from the management regarding teacher vs parent/student conflicts,
- wonderful city that offers everything and anything,
- nice expat and warm local community,
- Some wonderful kids, who are diamonds in coal mine,

I would rather go to another school, but Istek might be bearable for a two-year contract, unless you are tempting to stay for a longer period.

Find the teacher named Mark in Acibadem Istek, he will tell more in detail; he is a nice British chap but I lost his contact information.