Any current info about the American School in Japan. I have heard the package isn't quite what it used to be. Is that true? Is it a place with savings potential or much too difficult living in Tokyo? Thanks for any info.

Dover and Shadowjack,

Thanks for the replies. ISKL does have a pre-school starting at 3 (Prep Reception) so we could definitely begin the routine early. Am I an expensive hire? Of course with 3 dependents in tow. However; my wife is a school counselor. Working at the same school I am right now. We both have multiple degrees and +7 years experience. School counselors are hard to find. So, when she wants to work (would like to take 1 year off), I think they might see the benefit of having her in the future.

Hello:

I know this there are multiple entries involving ISKL on the website, but I had a few specific questions maybe someone out there could answer. Essentially, I am looking to see if it would be possible to survive there on 1 salary with a non-working spouse and two little kids. My wife currently works at my school as well in a high needs area, but would like to take a year off with our 2 little ones and then get back into her position.

What is the salary like for somebody with a Masters and 7 years experience?
What are taxes like?
Is the housing allowance sufficient?
Could a family of 4 survive on 1 salary there and still be able to enjoy life? (Do you have to be a teaching couple to be hired?)

Of course, any other info would be greatly appreciated.

Anybody have current info on this school, especially at the ES level? I looked at the paid reviews, but they are a mixed bag. Could a teaching couple with kids save any money?

Great package, probably one of the best in the world for a location not in the middle of Saudi. Had friends move there this year after only 2 years teaching in international schools so I wouldn't say it is unattainable. They are not in overly high demand areas but are a teaching couple.

sid wrote:
> There are positions advertised now for next year, some at very good schools. I imagine
> that for the right applicant, they would make an offer and sign a contract even
> now. But since it's so early, don't expect that they'll jump at every applicant.
> They have time to be picky. And so do you.

sid,

Where are you seeing these positions? Search? TIE? ISS?

Just curious on when the earliest hiring takes place for 2015-2016? We had friends who accepted jobs at IS Bangkok in early November last year. We were offered in early December a couple years back. Is hiring becoming earlier and earlier for the top schools?

I believe if you are looking for positions under the admin umbrella, and/or part of a teaching couple where one is considered admin, you would be invited. A counselor and athletic director are among positions that are considered admin. Therefore, my wife being a school counselor and myself as a tech teacher could get an invite. It seems too early for many positions to be open. Maybe it's more about the networking that occurs? Just curious.

Does anyone have experience attending the Search Leadership Fair in KL? Was it a worthwhile experience? Were there many open positions and top schools present, or was it more networking for when positions opened up? My wife qualifies for the fair as a counselor, but we aren't sure if this would be better than waiting for Bangkok? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the info. We used Search to gain our positions but not at a fair, just through the database. Do we still have to pay the fee again? I haven't heard back from our associate in regards to this, but I would like to get everything in order before recruiting season is in full swing.

My wife and I are going recruiting to secure positions for the 2015-2016 school year. We signed up for SA in August 2012. How long is our account good for before we have to pay the fees again? Is there anything specific we need to do to reactivate beyond e-mailing our associate?

To be honest, I asked the question for the sake of discussion and a bit of curiosity. If I was really about only money, I would not be a teacher. FYI, my wife and I turned down Saudi Aramco the last time we went recruiting for a school paying about half of what we would have made. Stupid, possibly. We however, are much happier in our current place and love being able to live and interact with the local community instead of stuck in some compound somewhere.

If I was completely focused on making money and saving as much as possible without regard to location, quality of school, quality of life, etc. what schools should I be looking at?

Just curious as to what are considered the "top" schools in Africa? Based on salary/benefits, cost of living, safety, etc.

Is there any particular reason you are eliminating the ME as a possibility?