I know, all of the advice that I received is excellent and ultimately correct. I think I was just feeling exhausted, under-appreciated, and under-paid when I wrote it. I was also feeling tempted because some of my "top schools" have positions in my position, and there is no guarantee that will be the case when I do leave.

To be really competitive at a Tier I school, I will probably have to stay here for 3-5 years, because this is the position that I want to stay in. This is my 1st year of teaching high school, and although I have several years of middle school under my belt. If I want to stay in my current HS position, at a Tier I school, they will want to see that I have been successful at it for several years.

So again, thanks all for the sound advice. I will continue to do my best and hope somebody notices after 3 or 5 years. :)

Well, the reason I was asking was BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW THE ANSWER.

I was asking for replies from seasoned veterans who know the international circuit better than I do. You don't have to point out my ignorance in asking a question - that's what this forum is for, right?

Thank you all - these are words of wisdom and great advice. Also some much needed encouragement...thank you!

I'd like to hear from everybody who has thoughts/perspectives to share. Any experiences in this area would that you are willing to share would be very helpful.

Thanks for the advice, every one.

To clarify, I would leave after one year (assuming that I was hired by one of my top schoools) so I would not be without work.

To further clarify, I did not get the job through Search, I got it at UNI. I don't know if that makes a difference - but I wouldn't be breaking contract in a position that Search helped me to get.

I am, usually, very very good at keeping my word. However, I have worked very hard preparing for this position (to the point that I have been criticized for making the class "too difficult". I would rather work at a school that pays me well for my hard work and encourages it. My quesiton is, will the Tier 1 schools (assuming I leave the one year of experience on my resume) hold it against me that I am breaking contract with another school (if I explain my reasons for doing so)?

I wanted to ask some senior international teachers about an issue that I am struggling with.

I am currently at a school (my first year) that is good, some might say very good, but I am not sure if I want to stay here for a full two years.

My main complaints are that I 1) can't afford it (debts in the U.S., low pay, no money for professional development, etc.) and 2) I have been encouraged to lower my academic standards although the school maintains that its #1 goal is to prepare its students for college to have rigorous academic standards.

If I apply for schools that are "Tier 1" schools for the upcoming school year, will I be doing myself a disservice by essentially telling them that I am a potential contract breaker? Right now, there are a few of my top choice "schools for the future" that have jobs available for my position. Should I apply and explain the reasons I want to leave, or should I suck it up and stay another year so that I do not appear in a negative light to these schools?

All thoughts and opinions welcome.

Thank you!

PsyGuy, once again, thank you for the info. Would you prefer this over a TEFL type position in Beijing?

About Beijing Royal, I read that the location is about an hour and a half from the city center of Beijing. Beijing sounds like an interesting place to live, with a strong expat community. What do you think of the area around the school? Is it near a metro/ is it easy to get around without a car?

Hi dpashouwer,
I too am curious about the Beijing Royal School and considering a position there. Are you by any chance part of the TFA group that is currently being recruited?

And PsyGuy, thank you for the info. Makes me pretty hesitant to accept...

My boyfriend and I were hired and signed a contract for two years in Central America.

We have both been under a tremendous level of stress lately, and our relationship is suffering because of it.

He has only taught for 2 years, and isn't even sure if he wants to teach.

We are "taking a break" right now, but I am looking for advice on

1. Will the school still take me if he backs out?

2. How can we strengthen our relationship if we do go to El Salvador together? I hear the first year of international teaching can be very strenuous on a relationship.

3. If we decide during the course of our contract to break up, what happens?

If you have any experience with this or know someone who does, please share. I'm upset, concerned, and anxious about all of this, understandably.

Thank you.

Hello,
My name is Marissa and I am an 8th year middle school science teacher. My boyfriend, Chris, is a 2nd year multiple-subjects/social studies teacher. We are attending the UNI fair this February and have a few questions about how to write a couple's cover letter. BTW, I did read the article at
http://teachingoverseasinfo.blogspot.co ... ional.html, which I didn't find all that useful.

My question is for couples who have successfully written a couple's cover letter. Did you lead with one candidate? Did you find it necessary to individually tailor it to each school? We are running short on time before the UNI fair and we are still in the research stage, so I am in a little bit of a panic, but I will do it if that's the most effective thing to do.

Any advice you have to offer would be greatly appreciated. Any example letters would be even more appreciated! Thank you!

Marissa