I chuckle when I see these posts about tier 1 and tier 2 schools. Totally subjective. I have worked at some so called "tier 1" schools that frankly, they are overhyped.

nm

[quote="caligirl"]Thanks for the responses so far.

The big thing is, we won't be inclined to move unless the school fit is perfect. This would have to include the quality of school, package etc.

It comes with the territory, versus just going at it by myself.

My husband is a doctor, and has been thinking about getting a work permit, as he has a friend in Singapore that recently moved there to work. It also seems that getting one is not too difficult providing you have a skill they want in the country.

I don't mind going to a job fair, even for an in person interview for a top flight school, but after reading may of the posts I am hoping for a school in the caliber of Singapore American School, or the International School Bangkok, but who isn't right?

I just don't want to miss the open season at any of the schools when positions are made available.[/quote]

Since your husband is a doctor, he won't have any trouble practicing in countries such as China, Singapore or Thailand. All good choices. There are SOS clinics in all of those places and they hire foreign doctors. Other countries are more difficult for him to practice like Malaysia where they have strict rules for working visas in that it can't take a job away from a qualified national. There shouldn't be too many places like that anyway.

Don't be too quick to judge SAS and ISB as "top flight schools". In my opinion, they are vastly overrated. This coming from friends who have taught there. Yes the package is good but the teaching philosophy isn't. For me, and forgive me for saying this, far too "american" and less international. However, you might find that works for you at the start of your career since you are coming from the states. It is definitely worth checking out smaller and lesser known schools. UWC (although pretty big) in Singapore and NIST in Bangkok are fantastic schools too.

No, I'm straight.

Will get married eventually but it is still pretty early on in the relationship. Anyway, it shouldn't matter if we are married or not. I get all the same benefits from my school as I would if I was married (foreign overseas couple)The point is, where can I work and still make enough to support my partner?

You should have no problem getting a job. Is your husband a teacher as well? That makes a huge difference.

If you have experience teaching and have travelled or lived internationally, than that will help a lot. Some schools (especially American International ones) always seem to hire teachers straight from the US without any experience internationally. Others really go after international ones.

There is no difference in pay between teachers at different levels that I have ever heard of and I've been overseas 10 years. Salary is usually based on years experience + education.

Hi,
Any good suggestions on places to live with a non-teaching partner?

[quote="ichiro"]Hi there S. Beav.,

Might I ask why you feel you've sold your soul in Asia? Asia is a pretty dang big chunk of the world, so hard to know where you're talking about, of course! But I've been in East Asia for a lot longer than 7 years...I don't think I've sold my soul...have I? In retrospect, it'd probably go for pretty cheap![/quote]

I can't speak for you but I did a stint in China and it certainly felt souless and that I gave it away for $$ and big packages that enticed me. Previously I was in S. America where I was so happy and felt truly connected to the culture but had no money :( So in a sense, I sold my soul for money and professional advancement.

I have yet to find a place in Asia where I feel like I could make decent money yet live in a culture that is vibrant and I feel I can be a part of.

[quote="ichiro"]Snowbeaver, check out this site....I think you'll like it!

----://www.sciencegeek.net/lingo.html[/quote]

Yeah it's grea.......

Wait...I see what you did there. :roll:

So I'm thinking of leaving Asia, leaving behind all the big bucks and reclaim my soul I sold 7 years ago ;)

I would love to live in Europe and trying to suss out the best schools to work at in the best locations. I know all of this is very subjective though because everyone comes with different expectations and experiences. Nevertheless, I would like to hear about input (doesn't have to be first hand) about any of the following places to live and the quality of schools:
Netherlands (Hague or Amsterdam)
Brussels
Prague
Spain
Germany
Other?

Those are my shortlisted countries anyway. Chime in.

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Wow! I'm so surprised at negative reactions towards PYP. I have had nothing but positive experiences with it. I worked in an excellent PYP school in China (WAB) and it really fit well with my style of constructivist teaching. It gave the whole school a common language to use such as the Learner Profile/Attitudes. Furthermore, it really allowed for authentic collaboration and integration between disciplines. We had some units that were basically led by PE or Art and we were in a sense supporting them as homeroom teachers! I also liked PYP because it gave me enough structure to frame units but still quite a bit of flexibility in my teaching.

The only negatives that I came across was how PYP fit in with Math. It was more difficult to always do authentic inquiry in Math and still ensure that students got all the skills necessary.

PYP to me is just good teaching! If you get a chance to work in a PYP school, do it!