Agreed there is a fine line between over the top and creative and unique. Perhaps, another strategy would be to do both? Send out your resume/application package and then a few days later, follow up with a phone call? What is there to lose? I think calling once wouldnt hurt--and if you hit it at the right time, might even pay off--but calling MORE than once, might be considered annoying...

WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations. It does take a while for the reality of the decision to sink in...exciting and scary stuff indeed!

Hiya
I get your frustration...and you are right, its very hard not to take it personally, isnt it? Try not to though....at the very least its unhelpful and at the most--its not true.
For what its worth--please bear in mind that often the decision is based on factors that have nothing to do with you--and more about for the needs of the school....something that is completely out of your control. Who knows how the BIG PICTURE WORKS? Maybe you would be too expensive? Maybe they want a teacher of a specific gender? The list of behind the scenes information is endless--and we arent privy to it , but its there for sure. As someone already pointed out, but it bears repeating--there will be a lot of shifts and vacancies available when the dust settles--so keep doing what you are doing, and keep having hope. It will happen.

Josephine: I know. I wish I could afford to teach in such a school too. Their thirst for knowledge was palpable. It was by far the best teaching experience of my life. What a gift we have been given, as educators-because no matter what or where our classes we DO have power for change--and sure, each and every kid might not be bright eyed and bushy tailed---but I firmly believe that in every class there is some kid, who wants to learn. For real.

Dawson: Yikes! Where did that rampage come from? I am not going to try to explain what I was saying, nor try to defend my point, because it would be lost on you. You seem to have something to prove. I dont.
Suffice to say you absolutely nothing about me, who I am, what I think, what I believe, or what lengths I go to to protect the underdog.....yet your post is vindictive, nasty and quite frankly rude. Perhaps if you had more of an open mind to invite dialogue, not judgement, you would have had a better time in Kuwait, and indeed anywhere you go.

What is a 'quailed teacher"?
Just curious.

Exciting stuff exnewyorker....what happened!???!!

Any school in rural India. A school that has no desks, no supplies and no books. The kids walk to school in bare feet, and there are goats in the playground. Their water comes from a well in the center of the compound--and thats on a good day. There are no bells, no morning announcements and curriculum is something from the 1950's. The classrooms are bare, except for the Hindu alphabet crudely printed on the walls. Their sports teams consist of some kids tossing around a deflated ball at recess. The teachers are all local, and their idea of 'teaching english' is to read an english primer to the class while the kids repeat back what they hear.
The kids are the absolute best. I have been teaching for 30 years--but those kids are still my favourite kids hands down, without exception. You wont find that school on any SEARCH or ISS database though. Thank God.

Hiya
I understand your dilemma, but looking at it from another way, you can say that you are getting experience in a non-IB/PYP school! This shows flexibility and adaptability and of course, you can incorporate some of the IB philosophies into your classroom.
If the school is good/the country is good and the package is good--I say give it a shot! Experience is experience, and a two year contract is not TOO long out of the IB circuit. Plus--you have IB experience, which is the main thing. At your new school, you will be getting experience in whatever curriculum/accreditation program THEY are using....so it all balances out, no?
Just my two cents.

Hiya
Nothing wrong with emailng them, asking what the status is. If they want you, they will be impressed with your take charge attitude, and if they dont, it wont matter anyway.
Bottom line--what do you have to lose?
Email them ONCE asking them and then leave it.

I think we are all in this for the experiences we want to have. If you dont want to learn about another culture, its probably best to just stay home, where it is safe. I dont think we need to 'agree' with the way the culture/country runs--we are there as observers, no?
I taught in India for a few years and I was appalled at the way the caste system is still operating. I dont agree with it, cant change it--but I am aware of it. Seeing all the beggars made me feel uncomfortable and awkward. I hated it. In the beginning I didnt leave my house, because I didnt want to deal. Eyes wide shut. Since that time, I have changed my opinion about my role as an international educator.
I have just accepted a position as principal of a school in Kuwait. I am making my decision considering all the facts and Knowledge of the situation re: how the 'slaves' are treated is certainly important...but if I truly want to learn about the culture I am going into then thats just part of the learning curve. Just because I dont agree with how the entitled Kuwaitis treat their help( from my cushy western, first world life) isnt a reason for me to NOT accept a post, I dont think. My mandate is not to agree/disagree or try to change a culture. My mandate is education of myself, and to be an observer. Now, will the way they drive, their sense of entitlement and their attitude to the foreigners upset me and make me cringe? Yep. So what? Who am I to say that its right or wrong> it just IS. The point of doing this is to question our own belief system, to become aware of world issues and to increase our own understanding.
I feel, its similar to the sex trade in Thailand. Does it make me NUTS seeing rich, fat, old American men hanging out with the Thai girls? Yep. Do I think its disgusting? Yep. Does that mean I would never teach in Thailand? Not necessarily. It is what it is and its far more complicated than I can imagine.
We as visitors to a country should be passive observers--and do what we were hired to do--which is teach.

Hiya
Ok--you cant get a Teaching Degree but you CAN get a TEFL certificate ( either Online or through some other means) It isnt going to get you into an international school, but it might get you a tutoring post, or it might get you a post in another type of school. Anything you can do to boost the chances, is worth it I think?
Check out Dave's ESL cafe too....lots of stuff there.
L