THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE.
Appreciate the clarification about not limiting self to American schools. Point taken. :)

@PsyGuy
Seems like the schools in the Middle East have their own process going on, as you noted with them hiring year round? If I do not join an agency, would the route be then to contact the schools directly?

Or put another way, if I do not join an agency, what would be the application process I would take?

@DCGirl
Thanks for all the paperwork specifics and comments about recommendations process. That's where my mind is right now too, more doable, and as I've read up on the ISR reviews, lots of other 'uncontrollable' factors arise so looking to get back on the ground and organize all the paperwork.

OTHER QUESTIONS
1) I have read the differences in the forum between ISS and Search. For a newbie, is one more favorable to sign up for than another? Maybe one's qualifications maybe a factor in choosing? Some of my qualifications listed towards the end of post.

2) In terms of "teacher experience," especially in high school English if you can comment on that, what may be some qualities and sets of experience that hiring administrators look for?

COMMENTS ON "COMPETITIVENESS" FACTOR
SEEKING A HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH POSITION ABROAD
1. I have been teaching for 10 years at public schools in California; have a Masters of Education.
2. Recently been teaching AP Language (3 years) but no IB training.
3. There's a big push in California for college-readiness reading and writing, especially through non-fiction/expository texts, and have attended various trainings in that. Curious if the teaching of high school English, especially in the upper grades for int'l schools similar may reflect this trend---or maybe just California?!?!?
4. Have been focused on technology integration in the classroom

MANY THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE FOR TAKING TIME OUT OF YOUR DAY TO SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE. Somebody here in San Diego appreciating the support greatly.

May your day be well.

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions, thus far.
They are helping me to continue moving forward. Much, much appreciated.
Keep postin' and I will keep readin'!

NEW TO INT'L SCHOOL APP. PROCESS: IS THERE A TIMELINE I SHOULD BE ON? NON-NEGOTIABLE DEADLINES THAT I DO NOT WANT TO MISS OR ELSE I WILL HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER YEAR CYCLE???

I currently work at a public high school in California and would like to venture into teaching at "American" schools internationally.

I have signed up for ISR and have been reading through reviews. I haven't yet made the decision to sign up for ISS or Search Associates though I am pretty sure I will choose one soon.

I would like to find a position for the 2013-2014 school year if possible. I know there will be a job fair in San Francisco, Feb. 2013.

Besides these fragments, would like to ask you all out there, IF THERE'S A WORKING TIMELINE I need to be working on.

-To get letters of recommendation
-Get all my transcripts, resumes, CV, cover letters, etc.
-Deadlines to make sure NOT to miss or else I will have to wait for the next cycle?

I have only a week left before the school year opens at my school and I am finding myself thinking that I might be missing some TIMELINES, DEADLINES for getting myself prepped for international schools apps, etc. while I get myself situated for the opening school year.

So my question again:
If I would like to be considered for a teaching position internationally for 2013-2014 (American schools in Southeast Asia, Asia, Middle East), is there a GENERAL TIMELINE I should be working with besides prepping for the job fair in San Francisco (Feb. 2013)?

I will be switching gears to getting my classes situated as the school year begins and I don't want to miss something vital and then have to wait another year!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ANY LIGHT YOU CAN SHED ON THIS.
Thanks in advance for your input.