Prospective job seeker ... advice sought

[little_miss_sunshine]

Hello - I have been following the forums and blogs with interest for a while and considering making the move to apply to different int'l schools.

I would like some objective opinions on my prospects for landing a post in either Asia, Europe, Africa or ME (Dubai), given my background:
- 14 years teaching exp in UK/Intl school in Africa (Primary 3-6 with English and Drama specialism) with excellent references
- British national
- Postgraduate Diploma in Education (UK)
- Single (widowed) with 2 kids (school-aged)

I am particularly interested to hear about when/how it would be best to contact schools, which fairs I would have most chance of being successful at, which areas/countries/schools would be difficult/easier to get into, and anything else that might help strengthen my application.

Package is less important than quality of life and a good standard of education for my kids. I would be looking to start a new post in Autumn 2013 (or sooner if the right opportunity comes along)

Any info gratefully received! :) [/list]

[PsyGuy]

I was really ready and prepared to write a long, comprehensive post.... Then I got to the single and two kids part, (especially with your certifications).

Single Parents dont go over well in the Middle East (especially for a woman), and you would starve in Western Europe with 2 kids on one salary. Asia may hire you but youd be expensive, and wouldnt like the quality of life youd most likely have.

[little_miss_sunshine]

... and Africa..? Tell me more about the certification PsyGuy! By quality of life I mean something like what I'm already used to (i.e. home help, outdoor living, great weather..) Thanks!

[PsyGuy]

I dont know enough about africa to comment, and im biased against it anyway. Everybody i know who goes to Africa to teach either thinks its going to be like on Safari, or they have over romanticized the idea (like the africa of the colonial days).

Really sorry I looked back at that and it sounded a bit rough. I was typing off the cuff, sorry.

That quality of life most teachers can only afford at the elite (best) schools in a region or in basically very poor countries with a low cost of living

Basically, its a HARD sell for any recruiter to pay triple rack (you and two kids) for a primary teacher. There are just too many. Eng. Lit., is almost as saturated, and schools usually have a preference for american or british literature teachers, so that further divides the demand. Drama is a small niche, not a lot of positions and youd have to really be a top end theater director for one of the good schools to be interested.

It really comes down to numbers, there are just a lot of teachers available at lower cost then you.... To an admin for ONE teacher i need 3 airline tickets, a two or three bedroom apartment, 3 insurance riders, 2 tuition waivers, and double the allowances (kids are half an adult, X2). Thats a hard sell to justify...

Your in the UK and probably getting top dollar where you are, based on your lifestyle description, and while there is no shortage of teachers who think they are worth top dollar, at an IS in most of those places you mentioned youd be taking a serious pay cut. If you have any type of financial obligations at home youd have to continue to pay, thats going to make it even more of a hardship.

[little_miss_sunshine]

... just wanted to clarify a few points here...

1. Am a dual national (UK/Mauritius - non-caucasian) who has been working overseas in Mauritius (local hire) in an IS for 14 years
2. Therefore I'm no longer based in the UK and have no desire to return there in the foreseeable future
3. I lost my husband (also an educator) a few years ago so am now a single parent with two young kids
4. I am happy at the school (even though the package is laughable) and I enjoy the easygoing lifestyle here
5. My reasons for wanting to move on are partly financial (although I have no debts and a house as equity, I have no real savings as such) but also because I'm not happy with the secondary schooling options here for my kids (who are still in Primary but will be finishing soon)
6. As I said before, I'm not looking to earn top dollar - just looking for a welcoming, happy place to live and work where I would be happy to send my kids to school (with the added bonus of some saving potential)

Whilst I thank you for your comments PsyGuy, I understand that you're seeing things from the POV of an administrator (you made it very clear that my kids would be seen as a burden, especially in the light of the fact that I have no teaching partner..) Are you saying that the fact that I'm single +2 dependents will overshadow the fact that I have taught in an IS for so long, have heaps of experience and am a darn good teacher??

I'd love to hear some opinions and experiences of others (especially those in Africa/Asia) to help me sort out where to aim next...

[scribe]

Numerous negative comments have been posted in this forum on the middle east, painting it all with one brush (and an old one at that) - your question prompts my contribution. Good schools (although keeping an eye on the bottom line is understood) still seek to hire the best candidate for the position - and the middle east has many good schools.
I have known single parents in the three countries I've lived, the UAE, Qatar, and even Saudi - yes, even a single (divorced) mom in Saudi. While the latter situation was a bit more difficult due to the no driving, the compensation package, secure life style, and good school made it worthwhile for her and, in turn, her qualifications made her family worthwhile for the school.
While being a single mom poses difficulties anywhere, it's unclear that life in the Gulf countries would add to those problems. The schools would help you with immigration and housing issues, women can and do drive, quality of life is high and certainly quite safe. I'm not sure why some posts seem to criticize the entire region as if it's one place, and even then, their idea of that one place seems to come right out of the media reports of conflicted areas.
Obviously you will have to find a good fit as will the school (and your qualifications seem excellent), but if a good school in the middle east offers you that, investigate it before you discount it. Do investigate, however, as the Gulf countries with their booming economies and large ex-patriot populations are experiencing many suspicious school start ups. Still, there are excellent schools with good compensation packages not on the old stand by list - even some for-profit schools have been around long enough and gone through their growing pains to now offer solid and proven education to their students and very good jobs to their teachers.

[PsyGuy]

Again I'm sorry I'm not trying to offend you. Yes I do have an admins POV. When your targeting schools in Europe, EVERYONE is (or thinks) they are a good teacher, and everyone has lots of experience. It's the same way at the top/elite schools everywhere else as well. There is no shortage of GREAT teachers in the candidate pool, and so yes your are an expensive candidate. It would also be very hard in Europe to break even on one salary for a family of three, mainly because Europe doesnt give housing allowances in general.

[seinfeld]

You don't know until you try. Register with Search in August and sign up for the Bangkok fair in January 2013. It's a gamble for anybody going to a job fair but, hey, ya gotta see for yourself. You may just fit the bill.

[american]

One more opinion. I, too, am a single mom with two kids although only one came with me, the other began university. I am currently teaching in the UAE and at my school, there are many single moms. Perhaps from the admin perpective, a teacher may be more willing to put up with difficulties as well as contribute at a high level, to the school where her children also go. I have found this country great for the single mom, as it is such a safe place. Looking for the best teachers ourweighs each persons individual circumstances, I believe. Good luck!

[mehana]

I know it's been a while since anyone posted here but I thought I'd agree with the above post about the UAE. I know many single moms over here teaching for Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC). Teach Away is the recruiting agency, interviews all over the US...very good experience with them. Only two single Moms arrived with a child (both kids were under 4) and the other Moms waited till they were assigned a school, moved and were settled in...which took about 2-3 months. It was a little tricky getting a baby sitter for a few times when we had orientations/health checks/meetings...but there was one couple where the husband was not a teacher and he became the babysitter. Go for it! What an adventure for you and your kids! In the UAE, Al Ain seems to be the town where most of the families are placed. I think it's the nicest town to live in....it has some modern malls, lots of smaller shops, an oasis in the center, a mountain, archeological sites, a zoo...and if you drive to Abu Dhabi (1 1/2 hrs or less) the road has no trucks...very pleasant drive. You are also near Oman and can drive over the border.

[Roberto]

You sound to me regardless...on the upper top 30 % of teachers out there. Grad degree, experience, etc. Yes, administrators will discriminate based on your cost. Spread your net wide and see what comes up. The middle east is an option but unless you get a school with expat kids then I am not sure you d want your kids with the locals. Some Latin American schools can offer a decent standard of living. I think you will be OK however you have to get to work soon and get your resume out there and start getting offers. I think in your case it will be a matter of having to spend more time and effort in applying to positions thats all. Good luck but in your case make your luck.

[stellalocal]

Just wanting to clarify, you're basically a UK qualified primary teacher with 14 years experience. There are loads of us out there and it is competitive so you will need to sell yourself with additional skills/qualifications/training etc. Generally there is slightly less competition if you're willing to venture down to KS1 or FS, but even then it's tough getting a job.

Having 2 children may put some schools off but the better ones would still consider you. I know a few single Mums that have moved to new international schools this year, so it can be done.

You might also want to try looking on a UK teacher job site, they have an international section.

Oh, just realised this is an old post, never mind.

[teach2010]

went to ghana and south africa for a month in january 2010. at the time, i was teaching in brazil, got a fat tax return and decided to use to see west africa on my own. to be clear, i have not taught in africa but was seeing it thru the lens of an international teacher. you are probaly aware that there are many power outages and internet can be sketchy. even in bigger cities, there usually is not a plumbing system like in the west. but if you can roll with that, it can be way fun. i traveled as a single middle ages white woman and never and i mean never felt in danger. i'm sure bad stuff can happen but i did not see it or experience it. way friendly people and ghana had nice beaches. i chose ghana because most folks speak english. kumasi was a very cool city with much culture. i have read that togo has some good international schools but do not know of anyone personally that has taught there. i think it is like most international situations-do your research as you are doing here and get everything in writing b4 you go.