Hey, Trojan. I have pulled email addresses off school websites and written to teachers. Sometimes they reply and sometimes they do not. I have received two emails and several telephone calls over the past few years from teachers who were interested in my then-current school. I have answered all queries. It never bothers me to assist others. I am also accused of being a Pollyanna by then-current colleagues. I have taught only at great schools. Maybe they have a few issues, but overall they've been great experiences. If they offered greater remuneration, I'd even return! Should you ever see my name on a list of teachers or administrators, go ahead and email or call me. I usually talk over what I am going to offer in response with other colleagues, so you get an amalgamation of our thoughts.

As for the dependents, if you sign up with a recruiting agency or placement fair such as TIE or ISS (and I think UNI) they usually record dependents, so the schools that obtain your information will already have a record of this. I would not put it in my CV.

Overhere’s correct about the need for transcripts. Many countries require them before they will issue work visas. In fact, Overhere’s advice is always pretty solid. :)

Thanks to everyone who offers their advice and experiences. I find them very useful and interesting. Candycane, I notice you have only recently begun posting. Keep it up. I may or may not be interested in China, but I see you’ve taught there before, so maybe any anecdotes you offer now will help me in the future.

Dear Universal Parent,

Thank you for asking! I thought this was a question from a teacher who needed to vent; it was refreshing to hear it is from a parent.

Gifts bother me personally. I worry that the parent is trying to buy a good grade. That's just me. I have seen other teacher who accept small gifts, such as food, and that does not bother me. It seems an innocent gesture of goodwill. On the other hand, I have also seen teachers accept things like expensive jewelry and airline tickets. RED ALERT!

Please, please, DO contact me! I love to hear from parents. If there is a misconception about something that was said or that might have happened in the classroom, I would prefer it be straightened out rather than have the parent spend the school year worrying about it and resenting me, especially if the incident was not quite as reported! Write a note, call me, come on in to see me. I am here to make sure your child receives the absolute best education I can provide and your support is vital.

Volunteering? I prefer parents who can commit to a schedule. This way, the students know who to expect and I can count on someone being there. I am also better able to assign tasks if I can count on a parent being in the class on a regular basis. Parents who just happen to drop in to assist too often have been a distraction. On the other hand, if I can count on you to be in the room for one hour every Monday morning or if I know you will be there from 1 PM to 3 PM every Tuesday and Thursday, I can plan how best you can help. Yes, please! I would love to have you in my class, but on a consistent basis.

The type of parent that annoys me most is the one who will not contact the teacher if they have a concern but who will contact other parents in the room and actively work to undermine the teacher's authority in the classroom. This is a total disservice to both the school and the child. Too often I have seen parents behave in this manner. Their children then go to school and repeat everything their parents say at home. The teacher then has difficulty controlling behaviors in the classroom and this creates a less than optimal learning environment.

Thank you again for a very interesting question. I hope the replies you receive are helpful and polite!

Some schools place single teachers together in one house or apartment. It could be awkward when you arrive if the school that hires you does not know you have a partner, and have assigned you to share an apartment with "another" single teacher.

I spent a few days in IB training at Ecole Mondiale two years ago, so my only experience was short and not truly "inside".

The school was very welcoming of us. It was a major training event for Asia schools and Ecole Mondiale had plenty of assistants all over to direct and answer questions. The buildings seemed to be in excellent repair and everyone was very friendly, including the local teachers, who seemed to be VERY dedicated to their profession. True professionals who were interested in sharing their knowledge and experience and learning from others.

The weather is warm. This is always a major benefit in my book! On the other hand, Mumbai is the dingiest city I have ever experienced. It is very, very crowded--largely with people who possess nothing. The exhaust fumes and organic fumes are nearly overpowering at times, especially near major roads.

My personal experience directly with that particular school was very positive. As for the reviews, if no one is motivated enough to criticize, then that might be construed as positive.

I would have to research the city itself before I would commit. Good luck. If you DO end up there, please write a review!

Beemarcus--I noticed that many people had secured their positions on their own, too. I also noted that many teachers were quite happy with their current schools. I am hoping that those teachers who seem so happy with their jobs will write reviews so that I know where to apply next!

I would not take the Middle East or Africa out of the equation, either. I am currently in Africa after having taught for three years in Saudi Arabia. Neither was a hardship. Of course, I'm a man and that probably makes a difference...I also would not expect to land in a bottom-tier school the first time out. Do not grab the first school that offers a position unless you are comfortable with the situation. Once you do sign, research the school and community thoroughly so that you are comfortable once you arrive. Even if you learn negative things about the situation before arriving, figure out how to make it positive for you before you get there.

Hello, clown! I am sorry you are not receiving very many helpful replies. Looks like several people are merely being obstinate. Make sure you don’t hire them!

It looks like you are really paying attention to what is important. As you yourself noted, be truthful. I suspect some of the earlier comments are from people who were burned, perhaps by miscommunication. One of the things I expect from a new school is the email addresses of the teachers—not a “selectâ€

I apologize for the number of posts I am adding today, but I have only signed up for the forum today and many comments I am reading are quite provocative!

I taught in Saudi for three years. The business office took my passport and gave me my residence document (iqama). I had to trade back whenever I needed my passport. I finally quit trading as I lived near Bahrain and would need to be able to leave without notice when friends would take me across the causeway. I just kept my passport and left the office holding the iqama. The few times I actually needed the iqama (usually the bank), I told them I had my passport as I was leaving the country that weekend. I'd be frowned at, but they then would use my passport for ID.

"Second class critters" is exceedingly offensive. I taught in an ESOL school for three years (AIS in Khobar, KSA) and I do NOT consider myself to be as "Guest" described. Please use your name if you are going to make scurrilous and unfounded characterizations.

As for ESOL, it IS a proprietary organization. It is in the business to make money. I read many negative comments about the organization--all anonymously posted--but that was not my own experience. ESOL always followed my contract to the letter.

John West

Congrats to guest9 for her (his?) patience despite the goading.

I also have an account with JoyJobs. I hate their homepage. It looks too random and it hurts my eyes. Once I am logged in, though, it is cleaned up and more professional. It has a wider range of openings than the regular education sites. Yes, it simply links to the job posting pages and lists jobs posted by the schools and other organizations. But they tell you this when you sign up. It also has good advice if you are not an experienced overseas teacher.

I keep telling myself to work on a professional page but I haven't yet. Thanks to the poster who recommends this--I'll give it a whirl. Sometime. :D

I have attended both UNI and Search fairs. Both are exactly what they claim to be. They offer a connection between job seekers and schools. Both are very good at it: very organized, open and available, and generous with basic information about each school.

I have been offered numerous positions through both fairs, mainly because my certification and experience are both rather wide-ranging. I prefer UNI mainly because there are so few distractions. I am in town to get a job. I have only a few days in which to do this. I do not have time to visit the Sights. I also get to meet tons of wonderful teachers and even some wonderful admins! Search fairs tend to be smaller and people do not just hang out talking as freely as they do in Iowa.

Keep posting. I may be looking for a job in a few months and I consider all information to be valuable.

Kudos to E. B. White--very nice advice and plenty of it. Congrats on the new job! Having actually been through ISS--minus the food, shopping, walking, and shows--would you recommend the actual service at the fair?