Senator, interesting reply. It's nice to hear some of the pros that a returning teacher has found in the States. All I have ever heard is how those who have returned can't wait to leave again! Or, that they couldn't find jobs.

Thanks for sharing your 2 cents.

We have done this, but only after the preferred school has interviewed us and we already have the other offer in our hands.

We have also had schools interview us and have been asked to let them know if we receive job offers so they can speed up their decision making process. Some schools prefer to hire at the fair, but if they have quality candidates and those candidates have other offers, they are sometimes willing to make offers earlier.

Hope this helps and that you land a great job!

Vincentchase, that was hilarious. I needed a good laugh.

mysharona, from 6.2 to 6.3 yuan per dollar?

No need to bait any posters.

Let's rejoice in the freeing of Neil and Ferdi, and continue to support the janitors who have not yet been acquitted.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-33924162

That's a terrible contract for Shanghai. No insurance for dependents? Only 7,000 RMB for housing? Housing that the school's like SAS provides is over 20,000 RMB a month! A salary of $36,000 a year is very, very low. Again, SAS will have a salary at over $65,000, for someone with a Master's. You could do it, living in very low-quality housing and being very cheap while you worked there, but unless it's your first year and you're willing to take anything, I wouldn't even consider it.

Hang in there! I think the idea of writing various resignation letters is hilarious. On another note, think about the positive things about being where you've been and things your grateful for due to this position. Think about posting one thing you've been grateful for each day. It can really help.

Finish with integrity to your values, whatever that may mean to you.

Congratulations! Must feel great to have the contract signed and know where you're going next year!

My cavity was gone. That's happy enough for me!

I've had very good experiences in several countries. In Thailand, my favorite was dentist that also employed spa touches like aromatherapy. Bangkok Dental Spa has a lady massage your feet during the cleaning and any subsequent drilling. Sounds kooky, but totally legit and really kept my mind off my mouth! :D You can look it up online.

No, Sweetie, the hard part IS behind you. I think the hardest part of IT is the time and stress in getting a good job. Now you can sit back and enjoy the ride. All the schools I've worked for have had awesome orientations, from arranging all the visas and shipping help to greeting us at the airport and getting us settled in.

SE Asia is amazing.

It's all very, very manageable. Yes, it's hot. Yes, it rains. Yes, there are bugs. But there is a/c, you can buy an umbrella (and really, it usually rains in the afternoon while you're in school), and there's bug spray. I think the worst I've seen in SE Asia homes are roaches, a few centipedes, and ants.

Mosquitoes are more seasonal, but I've never been eaten alive like on a Midwest night. I just put on bug spray if I'm going to be out for dusk...and not even always then.

Get your tetanus, Hep A, Hep B, and TB updated. Done and done.

I am sorry to hear this. Unfortunately, I agree with the posters suggesting that you get your CV ready.

If you don't feel that you can talk with her and improve your situation, then I think your best advice is:

"Be professional and don't give them any ammunition."

"Start collecting parent and teacher references/contacts. Talk to coworkers and other admins about using them as a reference, and start looking for another position."

It really will be important how your building principal sees you. Is that relationship a good one?

That would be a hard pill to swallow. I'm not sure I'd be okay with that. I haven't heard of this being done, though others have, apparently.

I interviewed at a school that would only recognize 5 years of experience when I have 10+, so that would be the same deal, in a way. I guess if you take the contract, it means you're okay with what they're offering...you can't complain about the salary later.

Anyone read both of Andrew Hallam's books?

poor Teacher: The Nine Rules of Wealth You Should Have Learned in School
The Global Expatriate's Guide to Investing: From poor Teacher to poor Expat

Is one better than the other or am I good to go with either?