Are My Expectations Too High??? (Latin America Preferably)
Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 9:49 pm
Hello all,
Sorry this is going to be a lot, but I am SERIOUSLY considering teaching internationally within the next few years!
I am a young, single male, in my early 20's, who has just finished my first year teaching high school Social Studies in the United States in a school that would be equivalent to "inner city standards." While I thoroughly enjoy working with young adults and teaching Social Studies, I have learned very fast that the inner city is NOT for me. Don't get me wrong, I can "survive" in those conditions, but I would not truly be enjoying my life--teaching would just be a job, not a career! I have put up with everything under the sun from high amounts of discipline problems, unruly students, and lack of parental and administrative support. All these problems made my first job less than desirable (but hey, you have to start somewhere)! Quite frankly there were times where I felt powerless!
Ever since I was young I have always had a fascination with the world outside the United States. I love adventures, traveling, and new people/cultures. I am very spontaneous, although I do enjoy some stability as well. Let's face the facts--my first year teaching I earned around $30,000, not including taxes (roughly $22,000 after taxes). If I continued to teach in the same state for 30 years until retirement I would retire at roughly $52,000 (not including taxes). I have had to live with my parents the first year and will probably continue to do the same for the next few years to save money. If I had to pay rent in addition to my other expenses (food, car payment, car insurance, gas, phone, entertainment, etc.) I would be struggling to support myself. Not to mention the fact that there is no way I feel that I could ever settle down and get married and have kids on my salary.
*I am VERY INTERESTED in teaching overseas within the next TWO to THREE years and would like to plan ahead of time (hopefully for the long term). I am interested in teaching in a lot of places, however, I preferably would want to be in LATIN AMERICA. This is because I thoroughly enjoy the culture, I'm a laid back at heart kind of guy (although I know how to work overhaul). I'm also half-Hispanic, and going back to my Latin roots would be a DREAM! I have traveled to Mexico twice, Honduras, and Guatemala. I have lots of family in Honduras, so obviously that would be a high priority location (especially for retirement).
My Qualifications:
1.Certified to teach High School Social Studies (Grades 9-12) in the U.S.
2. Proficient in the Spanish language (although I wouldn't consider myself fluent yet).
3. Worked in an inner city school my first year. Student taught in an upper class school.
4. Worked with kids from various cultures and backgrounds.
5. Substitute taught part time for 3 years in a middle school.
6. Am working on getting my Middle School certification in Social Studies, possibly ESL as well. Would like to obtain a Master's Degree in School Administration in the future as well as a Master's in History (or some related field).
7. Thinking about getting AP certified as well. (I want to make myself very marketable.)
My Preferences:
1. Ideally would like to be in Latin America. Would also consider parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
2. Would like to be in or very near a major city (500,000 people +) (the bigger the better, as I'm a city guy at heart).
3. It would be a major PLUS to be in a city with a public metro/train system. I would like the option of not having to rely on a car all the time (not a possibility in the States).
My Questions for You:
1. Are there any schools (preferably Latin America) that pay a starting salary of $30,000 tax free? [b](The more the better, as I would like to have some savings potential to buy a house, retire, and travel at least twice a year).[/b]
2. Schools that provide decent housing (not shared) or a housing allowance?
3. How easy/difficult is it to advance in your educational career internationally (I would eventually like to become a vice principal or principal way down the road)?
4. Schools that offer Master's degree programs for teachers?
5. Schools that allow pets in housing quarters? If not, I would like to use a housing allowance to find a place that does allow pets.
6. Is it difficult to bring pets with you to your new country? (Not being able to bring a pet with me could be a deal breaker.)
7. Schools that provide health insurance, dental plans, etc.?
8. Schools that have a great staff and positive educational atmosphere that is conducive to learning? (i.e. a joy to work there)
9. Is it possible to get hired without IB training? I wouldn't mind teaching IB by any means, however, I've heard that you have to teach at an IB school in order to get the training.
10. I've read that it may be more difficult for Social Studies teachers to get hired as opposed to English, Math, Science teachers. Are there more jobs in the middle school or high school Social Studies arena?
[b]
*Although it may sound like I'm a difficult person to please, I'm really not. I just want to have some financial stability and be able to enjoy living and doing what I love to do (teach Social Studies to kids). I didn't go into teaching for the money, but would like to live semi-comfortably at least. (I don't want to go back to the college-living days of eating ramen noodles). I know of several people who have taught overseas. All have had positive experiences.[/b]
[b]
Am Very Anxious to Hear About the Following Schools/Areas:[/b] Would like to know if there are any schools you think would be a good fit for me based on what you've read?
1. Lincoln School (Buenos Aires, Argentina) (I've read there is a certain leader who is not ideal to work with there).
2. Nido de Aguilas (Santiago, Chile)
3. Colegio FDR (Lima, Peru)
4. Escuela Internacional Sampedrana (San Pedro Sula, Honduras)
5. American School of Honduras (Tegucigalpa)
6. American School of Guatemala (Guatemala City)
7. American School of El Salvador (San Salvador)
8. American School Foundation, A.C. (Mexico City)
9. Uruguayan American School
10. Other South American Schools that I haven't mentioned (preferably Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Paraguay).
11. Other Central American Schools that I haven't mentioned (Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua)
12. Europe (preferably Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland in that order).
13. Africa (preferably South Africa--very interested in the cultural dynamics there--had a good friend from there who said it was wonderful).
14. Middle East (preferably Dubai, wouldn't mind Beirut. Definitely NO PALESTINE!)
15. Asia (preferably Hong Kong, Tokyo, Taipei, Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok).
Thank you so much for any response! I look forward to reading lots of information! Again, I don't plan to go overseas in the next year--at least two years down the road. I do plan on going to a job fair conference (I've read that's the easiest way to get jobs in addition to contacting schools via email).
Sorry this is going to be a lot, but I am SERIOUSLY considering teaching internationally within the next few years!
I am a young, single male, in my early 20's, who has just finished my first year teaching high school Social Studies in the United States in a school that would be equivalent to "inner city standards." While I thoroughly enjoy working with young adults and teaching Social Studies, I have learned very fast that the inner city is NOT for me. Don't get me wrong, I can "survive" in those conditions, but I would not truly be enjoying my life--teaching would just be a job, not a career! I have put up with everything under the sun from high amounts of discipline problems, unruly students, and lack of parental and administrative support. All these problems made my first job less than desirable (but hey, you have to start somewhere)! Quite frankly there were times where I felt powerless!
Ever since I was young I have always had a fascination with the world outside the United States. I love adventures, traveling, and new people/cultures. I am very spontaneous, although I do enjoy some stability as well. Let's face the facts--my first year teaching I earned around $30,000, not including taxes (roughly $22,000 after taxes). If I continued to teach in the same state for 30 years until retirement I would retire at roughly $52,000 (not including taxes). I have had to live with my parents the first year and will probably continue to do the same for the next few years to save money. If I had to pay rent in addition to my other expenses (food, car payment, car insurance, gas, phone, entertainment, etc.) I would be struggling to support myself. Not to mention the fact that there is no way I feel that I could ever settle down and get married and have kids on my salary.
*I am VERY INTERESTED in teaching overseas within the next TWO to THREE years and would like to plan ahead of time (hopefully for the long term). I am interested in teaching in a lot of places, however, I preferably would want to be in LATIN AMERICA. This is because I thoroughly enjoy the culture, I'm a laid back at heart kind of guy (although I know how to work overhaul). I'm also half-Hispanic, and going back to my Latin roots would be a DREAM! I have traveled to Mexico twice, Honduras, and Guatemala. I have lots of family in Honduras, so obviously that would be a high priority location (especially for retirement).
My Qualifications:
1.Certified to teach High School Social Studies (Grades 9-12) in the U.S.
2. Proficient in the Spanish language (although I wouldn't consider myself fluent yet).
3. Worked in an inner city school my first year. Student taught in an upper class school.
4. Worked with kids from various cultures and backgrounds.
5. Substitute taught part time for 3 years in a middle school.
6. Am working on getting my Middle School certification in Social Studies, possibly ESL as well. Would like to obtain a Master's Degree in School Administration in the future as well as a Master's in History (or some related field).
7. Thinking about getting AP certified as well. (I want to make myself very marketable.)
My Preferences:
1. Ideally would like to be in Latin America. Would also consider parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
2. Would like to be in or very near a major city (500,000 people +) (the bigger the better, as I'm a city guy at heart).
3. It would be a major PLUS to be in a city with a public metro/train system. I would like the option of not having to rely on a car all the time (not a possibility in the States).
My Questions for You:
1. Are there any schools (preferably Latin America) that pay a starting salary of $30,000 tax free? [b](The more the better, as I would like to have some savings potential to buy a house, retire, and travel at least twice a year).[/b]
2. Schools that provide decent housing (not shared) or a housing allowance?
3. How easy/difficult is it to advance in your educational career internationally (I would eventually like to become a vice principal or principal way down the road)?
4. Schools that offer Master's degree programs for teachers?
5. Schools that allow pets in housing quarters? If not, I would like to use a housing allowance to find a place that does allow pets.
6. Is it difficult to bring pets with you to your new country? (Not being able to bring a pet with me could be a deal breaker.)
7. Schools that provide health insurance, dental plans, etc.?
8. Schools that have a great staff and positive educational atmosphere that is conducive to learning? (i.e. a joy to work there)
9. Is it possible to get hired without IB training? I wouldn't mind teaching IB by any means, however, I've heard that you have to teach at an IB school in order to get the training.
10. I've read that it may be more difficult for Social Studies teachers to get hired as opposed to English, Math, Science teachers. Are there more jobs in the middle school or high school Social Studies arena?
[b]
*Although it may sound like I'm a difficult person to please, I'm really not. I just want to have some financial stability and be able to enjoy living and doing what I love to do (teach Social Studies to kids). I didn't go into teaching for the money, but would like to live semi-comfortably at least. (I don't want to go back to the college-living days of eating ramen noodles). I know of several people who have taught overseas. All have had positive experiences.[/b]
[b]
Am Very Anxious to Hear About the Following Schools/Areas:[/b] Would like to know if there are any schools you think would be a good fit for me based on what you've read?
1. Lincoln School (Buenos Aires, Argentina) (I've read there is a certain leader who is not ideal to work with there).
2. Nido de Aguilas (Santiago, Chile)
3. Colegio FDR (Lima, Peru)
4. Escuela Internacional Sampedrana (San Pedro Sula, Honduras)
5. American School of Honduras (Tegucigalpa)
6. American School of Guatemala (Guatemala City)
7. American School of El Salvador (San Salvador)
8. American School Foundation, A.C. (Mexico City)
9. Uruguayan American School
10. Other South American Schools that I haven't mentioned (preferably Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Paraguay).
11. Other Central American Schools that I haven't mentioned (Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua)
12. Europe (preferably Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland in that order).
13. Africa (preferably South Africa--very interested in the cultural dynamics there--had a good friend from there who said it was wonderful).
14. Middle East (preferably Dubai, wouldn't mind Beirut. Definitely NO PALESTINE!)
15. Asia (preferably Hong Kong, Tokyo, Taipei, Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok).
Thank you so much for any response! I look forward to reading lots of information! Again, I don't plan to go overseas in the next year--at least two years down the road. I do plan on going to a job fair conference (I've read that's the easiest way to get jobs in addition to contacting schools via email).