I have pretty much decided to test out the IT field for the 2017-2018 school year.
My question is, ideally, what is the atmosphere like at the job fairs? Is it pretty intense with the competitive nature in the air? Are people supportive? I know a ton of posters have attended numerous fairs from around the world and some are "better" than others ( Cambridge since a lot of schools send reps).
My real question is going into the job fair I will have 4 years of teaching under my belt. I am the dept head of Special Education in my high school and qualified to teach k-12 Sped. Looking to tack on endorsements in grades 6-12 social studies as well as a math endorsement that will give me clearance to teach high school math. All that aside, what schools should I look at inquiring? No I am not clueless to think I am going to walk up to AIS Tokyo and say hey hire me! ( although if that would work then game on) with my experience, what should should I "aim" toward with my noted experience? Sure I would love to hit a homerun with a great school but I am realistic and understand the competitive nature of IT.
*please excuse any typos found...in am using a terrible tablet currently and it is beyond challenging to proof read!*
Thank you guys for the expert help!
Atmosphere at Job Fairs
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wrldtrvlr123
- Posts: 1173
- Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:59 am
- Location: Japan
Re: Atmosphere at Job Fairs
Hi. I am going to assume you typed ASIJ as the dream gig school in Tokyo. I sympathize with typing issues. The keyboard on my laptop has started to go and suddenly I can't type t, r, y, n and a couple of other letters without resorting to an online keyboard. The struggle is real (it got to be so frustrating I borrowed an external keyboard while I am waiting for parts to come in).
Anyways, I have been to 3 fairs (1 in Toronto and 2 in BKK). They were all pretty intense. There are generally some supportive, "we're all in this together people" candidates there. Some of them actually mean it and some are posing while looking for any advantage they can exploit to better their own situation. Although I have seen people do and say things that I never would at a fair to get ahead, it is hard to really judge. You are talking about life-changing events for you and your family and a lot can go right or wrong in those few days.
Be social, talk to candidates and administrators but you may want to be a bit discreet with your specific situations (which schools you are/have interviewed for etc). Maybe that's a bit paranoid but maybe not. In general, trust your instincts.
As a fellow SPED teacher I would say that you are in a pretty good situation. 4 years experience and Dept. Head is completely reasonable and you should not rule yourself out of any school/position. The other certs without experience probably won't hold much sway with the better school but you never know. Admin of any stripe love to have options to fill class schedules with the fewest numbers of teacher when in a pinch.
ASIJ does count themselves as being an elite school (the elite school in some cases) and so will probably have their sights set on someone with more experience, a PHD and/or who is coming from another elite int'l school but you never know. Elite schools do hire relatively new teachers straight from their home countries, either because they are looking for new blood or they just click with that person and/or see them as a really good fit into a specific team that is already in place (sometimes too many rockstars/alpha dogs on the same team just doesn't go well in reality. Think Avengers in the first 2/3 of the movies).
Bottom line, SPED being what it is (Kind of hard to fill and a bit niche/quirky compared to other subject areas) I would put myself out there for anything that interests me. Interview with anyone that wants to interview you, plus the ones that you can talk your way into and let the chips fall where they may. Perfect world, you end up with several great schools to choose from. At the very least you should have an offer and/or a connection from a decent to great school that leads to an offer (especially if you have no mom-teaching dependents).
Good luck and ask any more detailed questions as they come to mind.
Anyways, I have been to 3 fairs (1 in Toronto and 2 in BKK). They were all pretty intense. There are generally some supportive, "we're all in this together people" candidates there. Some of them actually mean it and some are posing while looking for any advantage they can exploit to better their own situation. Although I have seen people do and say things that I never would at a fair to get ahead, it is hard to really judge. You are talking about life-changing events for you and your family and a lot can go right or wrong in those few days.
Be social, talk to candidates and administrators but you may want to be a bit discreet with your specific situations (which schools you are/have interviewed for etc). Maybe that's a bit paranoid but maybe not. In general, trust your instincts.
As a fellow SPED teacher I would say that you are in a pretty good situation. 4 years experience and Dept. Head is completely reasonable and you should not rule yourself out of any school/position. The other certs without experience probably won't hold much sway with the better school but you never know. Admin of any stripe love to have options to fill class schedules with the fewest numbers of teacher when in a pinch.
ASIJ does count themselves as being an elite school (the elite school in some cases) and so will probably have their sights set on someone with more experience, a PHD and/or who is coming from another elite int'l school but you never know. Elite schools do hire relatively new teachers straight from their home countries, either because they are looking for new blood or they just click with that person and/or see them as a really good fit into a specific team that is already in place (sometimes too many rockstars/alpha dogs on the same team just doesn't go well in reality. Think Avengers in the first 2/3 of the movies).
Bottom line, SPED being what it is (Kind of hard to fill and a bit niche/quirky compared to other subject areas) I would put myself out there for anything that interests me. Interview with anyone that wants to interview you, plus the ones that you can talk your way into and let the chips fall where they may. Perfect world, you end up with several great schools to choose from. At the very least you should have an offer and/or a connection from a decent to great school that leads to an offer (especially if you have no mom-teaching dependents).
Good luck and ask any more detailed questions as they come to mind.
Re: Atmosphere at Job Fairs
In general it depends who you interact with, which fair you attend and what type of position you are applying for. It's fair to say that special ed does not have a large amount of positions available, but there are even less people applying for these positions. My guess is that you have a reasonably good chance of getting a position.
One thing to consider is to contact your schools of interest before the fair. Also - if they are interested in you then try and Skype interview if possible. Your position is one of the harder to fill positions, specifically with someone with experience and who is actually qualified to do it. You might not have the top Tier 1 schools running head over heals for you - but you probably have a much greater chance than say an elementary, english or humanities teachers. Depending on the year - your position may even be more in need than HL math or physics (it just depends on the year).
Specifically on the people at the fair, it really depends on the clientele. I've been to two fairs, one was very friendly and one was absolutely horrible. The horrible fair was the BKK fair but that's mainly due to my personal preference of people helping each other and not selling themselves to other teachers. I guess I don't like people who talk themselves up but I digress. If you end up working internationally, you will note general traits for different nationalities in how they present themselves which is really interesting.
But back onto topics - I think the smaller regional fairs are more collegial compared to the London and Bangkok fair as there are fewer career international teachers here. Career International teachers can be very cutthroat in trying to get what they want - but remember this is a gross generalisation if I think it covers everyone who is a career international teacher (which I almost am).
Good luck but remember to still push trying to get a job before the fair!
One thing to consider is to contact your schools of interest before the fair. Also - if they are interested in you then try and Skype interview if possible. Your position is one of the harder to fill positions, specifically with someone with experience and who is actually qualified to do it. You might not have the top Tier 1 schools running head over heals for you - but you probably have a much greater chance than say an elementary, english or humanities teachers. Depending on the year - your position may even be more in need than HL math or physics (it just depends on the year).
Specifically on the people at the fair, it really depends on the clientele. I've been to two fairs, one was very friendly and one was absolutely horrible. The horrible fair was the BKK fair but that's mainly due to my personal preference of people helping each other and not selling themselves to other teachers. I guess I don't like people who talk themselves up but I digress. If you end up working internationally, you will note general traits for different nationalities in how they present themselves which is really interesting.
But back onto topics - I think the smaller regional fairs are more collegial compared to the London and Bangkok fair as there are fewer career international teachers here. Career International teachers can be very cutthroat in trying to get what they want - but remember this is a gross generalisation if I think it covers everyone who is a career international teacher (which I almost am).
Good luck but remember to still push trying to get a job before the fair!
Re: Atmosphere at Job Fairs
My advice is don't count yourself out of any sped position that is posted at the fair. Schools prefer to fill positions like that well in advance of fairs with people who can be vetted by current teachers or friends of teachers at the school. If they couldn't do that, the position really is up for grabs.
Google special Ed network in Asia (senia), and go to one of their PD events if you can. I know it will be inconvenient and expensive, but it will give you the chance to network with ALL the right people. These guys know when the next spots are going to open up, and who is likely to be hired for them. Chances are ASIJ won't have an opening but another IASIS school will. If the current person working there likes you and thinks you would do a good job, you're already 50% of the way there.
I've been to two fairs (3 counting the BKK fair I signed up for but didn't attend), and they can be intimidating. Generally, I heard people talking about all their intl experience, and I felt like I didn't measure up. No matter, I did my best, and came away with multiple offers every time. Try to have a great time just talking to people, learning about what else is out there, and offering encouragement. You won't be competing against 97% of the other candidates anyway.
Google special Ed network in Asia (senia), and go to one of their PD events if you can. I know it will be inconvenient and expensive, but it will give you the chance to network with ALL the right people. These guys know when the next spots are going to open up, and who is likely to be hired for them. Chances are ASIJ won't have an opening but another IASIS school will. If the current person working there likes you and thinks you would do a good job, you're already 50% of the way there.
I've been to two fairs (3 counting the BKK fair I signed up for but didn't attend), and they can be intimidating. Generally, I heard people talking about all their intl experience, and I felt like I didn't measure up. No matter, I did my best, and came away with multiple offers every time. Try to have a great time just talking to people, learning about what else is out there, and offering encouragement. You won't be competing against 97% of the other candidates anyway.
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wrldtrvlr123
- Posts: 1173
- Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:59 am
- Location: Japan
Re: Atmosphere at Job Fairs
Actually ASIJ is looking for a learning specialist for next year. Then again they posted the position like a year ago and so I'm sure they have literally hundreds (maybe a 1000) of applications for just that position. Still a great gig if you can get it though so you may as well apply (like buying a lottery ticket. You can't win if you don't play).
Re: Atmosphere at Job Fairs
The sad fact is that, now with internet apps being sent in so early, many, if not most schools will not spend time interviewing anyone who walks up to their table without having been invited. There are exceptions, but nobody I know ever got a job from a school that did not put that little invitation card in their boxes.
Re: Atmosphere at Job Fairs
Than you everyone for the helpful posts so far. And yes, I was referring to ASIJ!
My reasoning for tacking on the other endorsements was to be more marketable. But I completely understand without experience with the endorsement they are basically meaningless.
Any suggestions on things to do over the next year as I prepare for fairs and the 17-18 school year? I am very excited with the process. I feel I have a decent chance at landing a school that I will enjoy.
As of now I am looking to go to the Cambridge fair next year after becoming a Search member.
My reasoning for tacking on the other endorsements was to be more marketable. But I completely understand without experience with the endorsement they are basically meaningless.
Any suggestions on things to do over the next year as I prepare for fairs and the 17-18 school year? I am very excited with the process. I feel I have a decent chance at landing a school that I will enjoy.
As of now I am looking to go to the Cambridge fair next year after becoming a Search member.