[quote="heyteach"]Well, I just replied to your previous post before seeing this subject line. I teach at this school; the reason for the turnover is that several two-year contracts are ending, and a couple others, like me, are moving on after 3-4 years. The department is the biggest in the secondary school as the classes are split in half for English. There are a number of "lifers" in the department that have made Quito their home, so the dept. is pretty stable. The salary sounds low, but you can live quite comfortably on it, with the housing allowance. Academia Cotopaxi pays better but you work longer hours and have to put in a lot of evenings and weekends to school activities (I have good friends there).[/quote]

Hi "heyteach"--thanks so much for the reply. This sounds great. What is it like living in Quito? How much international school experience did you have when you landed this job? Any chance I could email with you one on one to ask a few more questions that are more specific to my personal concerns? Thank you.

Hi Everyone,
I am working on getting my first job at an international school (I have taught overseas, but it was at a public school and it was more than ten years ago), and I am very excited... BUT, I am getting a bit worried about my chances, as it sounds like the good ones are going fast... On the positive side, I have a Master's in my subject area, have taught college for 4 years (I wonder if they'll even care about this?), and have 8 years high school experience. But on the negative, my lack of international school experience is worrisome--specifically my lack of IB/MYP experience (I know that after all I have done I could learn these easily, but that doesn't count for much--I've already gotten two "thanks, but no thanks" notes from schools for this reason.). Anyway, I guess what I am asking is: Could I land a decent job at the job fair?! I don't want a job at a shady school--I don't need to get rich, but I would like to work somewhere solid with an honest reputation, where I could possibly gain the IB/MYP experience I need... The closer Cambridge gets, the more worried I am getting...!
So my question is: With what you have seen at YOUR reputable school, would they hire someone with no international school experience but with other kinds of experience? Thanks.

Hi Everyone,
One of the schools that interests me for a variety of reasons is the American School of Quito. However, their salary for an MA + 8 is $21,000, which sounds very low to me. Also, there are FIVE English openings, which seems odd--I am wondering why so many from one department are leaving. I would love to experience this country, but can anyone out there give me some info on these two issues regarding this school? Thank you.

[quote="Cooldude"]QSI appears to hire singles based on need i.e. for locations like Atyrau etc where they can't get couples. However, they have strong moral guidelines and do not like singles dating local or each other, going to bars or generally having much of a life outside school.[/quote]

Wow, this seems very strange. I am single and this sounds really intrusive and inappropriate, actually. I noticed an opening for this year which would suit me, but this gives me pause... that, and I wasn't too sure I could spend even a year in Turkmenistan! (although, at the same time I am intrigued by a country most of us know so little about...)
Anyone know anything about the post? It's in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. It is on my second tier list of schools.