@shad

the school is on Search so it makes sense that if I apply through that platform there shouldn't be any major issues

@PG

I definitely see what you are saying about going rogue and how not follow instructions would be seen as a negative. However, say for example I saw the position on Search, did my homework and researched the school's website while not viewing the employment tab (because Search provided a detailed description of the position in question), in theory, I wouldn't know this particular school wanted me to apply through Schrole (as it was only indicated in the employment section). This in itself would probably show the school your so-called thorough review of the website resulted in skipping a key section but I suppose it could happen

So if a school is signed up with Schrole, is the expectation to submit your application package through Schrole? How would it be perceived if a candidate simply emails the director with their goods? I've been considering applying at a school that directs candidates to use Schrole even though it is a Search school. Personally, I don't like the idea of peppering my contacts with additional references requests so would it be frowned upon to message the director with your application package, perhaps explain your perspective for not applying through Schrole, as well as mentioning you're a Search candidate?

Hello all,

I was wondering if anyone had some input about the school hiring policies on Search, specifically regarding trailing spouses. Are these hard and fast policies schools stick to or is there some room to maneuver? I haven't really been considering schools that have specified they do not hire married couples only one of whom teaches. Am I right to continue this way or has anyone had experience where the school hiring policy did not match their recruitment process?

Thanks

Although I have not yet been to a fair, I imagine there would be some degree of registration required. Yes...you may walk into the hotel....yes...you may talk with schools and may schedule an interview, but when the time comes for recruiters to do further background checks via databases (Search and ISS) and youre nowhere to be found, I suspect that may raise some red flags.

Cafare52 wrote:
Furthermore, and the most frustrating point is I have worked with and observed some of these dinosaurs and hacks that do teach
IB and many leave a lot to be desired.

I'll speak to this point as I'm in the boat (no IB experience/less desirable subject). I don't think the fact that you taught at IB/AP schools but didn't teach those courses has to be/should be looked at as a negative. I think those with an IB heavy resume can often ride off into the sunset by relying on that experience to get them where they want to be..at least based on conversations Ive had with people at my school and forum posts. The experience is their competitive advantage. For those who don't have that IB/AP experience, I think it is possible to sell their inexperience AS a competitive advantage, as illustrated in your quote above. You have 4 years of exposure, although not teaching experience, to these programs and you can definitely use these experiences in your favour. Get studied up on the curriculum you want to teach and make recruiters recognize that even though you don't have the x number of years experience to fall back on, you are aware of that and you know what to expect when an opportunity arises to step up. You need to be at the top of your game, whereas experienced teachers might become stagnant? lose enthusiasm? As scitech mentioned in their post, be aware of your limitations or what you cannot do, but remember to work towards finding solutions for those shortcomings.

Small town...small school. Almost no interaction with local staff outside of school. International staff fall on opposite ends of the spectrum: those who are conservative and those who are liberal. Conservatives are the majority. Social outings are few and far between so you are often left to your own devises for entertainment.

Just wondering if anyone has some solid advice about how to market yourself to IB schools without IB experience?

It seems as though the general rule is no amount of training will substitute for experience when it comes to IB. Without going down the training/certification road, I have come across the following approaches:

1) Do your homework. Learn about the IB program and what programs/subjects you are interested in teaching. Become familiar with format, expectations, jargon, etc. Learn what it means to walk the walk and talk the talk.
2) Try to implement aspects of the IB, ie. methods, topics, qualities of learner profile,etc. When it comes to applying to schools, although you don't have IB experience, you can show you are aware of what the program is all about and have evidence of implementing some IB characteristics in your classroom.
3) Target lower tier/lesser known IB schools. I've heard some upper IB tier schools will not even consider you as a candidate if you don't have IB classroom experience.

People talk about getting lucky and how schools sometime "take a chance" on teachers without IB experience, but when you broke into the IB circuit, did you actively do anything to market yourself specifically towards IB schools? Or did most just get lucky?

JC