Will I be competitive?
Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2015 10:00 am
Hello everyone. Long time lurker; finally decided to create an account. I’m posting this because I’d like advice or thoughts on a plan of action for the 2016-17 school year.
I’m currently about to start my 2nd year of a 2 year contract at what I guess would be a third tier IS in Asia. Actually, I work in an international department of a local school in China (which I’ve read is comparable to lower tier ISs). The school is an IB World School for the DP. I have attended two IB workshops last school year and currently teach two IB subjects, my main being a social studies course (Group 3 DP), so this job has been good on that front. Additionally I hold a teacher certification from a state in the US and hold a Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with a specialty in social studies from a top 10 university.
This is my first full-time teaching position in my certification field (high school social studies). Prior to this position, I substitute taught for a short while in the US, as the job market was pretty bad for my certificate subject. Other than that, I have my student teaching experiences, as well as some previous ESL teaching from before I pursued my MAT and a proper teaching certification (which I know doesn’t really matter as far as IS administrators are concerned).
Ideally, I’d like an upgrade to a proper international school next year. While I do have a teaching certification from the US, a Masters degree and novice experience with IB (2 years by the time 2016-17 rolls around), I'll only really have 2 years of relevant experience. Top tier schools would be a reach for me, but they’re actually not my priority. I mainly just want to move on to a proper international school (high percentage of expat students) with a good salary package and/or savings potential and some professional development opportunities. Tier 2 schools ideally but even a tier 3 with a good package. An IB school isn’t a necessity, as I do have knowledge and experience with AP and common core from when I was in the US. But, since I do have the training and I’m currently gaining experience teaching IB, an IB school would probably be preferable if given the choice (and it also largely aligns with my own philosophy of teaching). Open to region, although SE Asia would probably be top choice if I had ability to choose. I should mention I’m single, with no kids or spouse.
Would ISS be a good agency to register with? Would I have a decent shot at being somewhat competitive at ISS? I've heard that with less experienced candidates, they can be somewhat dismissive and unhelpful. I’ve looked into Search Associates but ISS appeals to me more for a couple reasons. I also plan to apply to schools directly and use other resources, like TIE, to help my search, but I do want to join at least one of the big agencies if there’s a good chance I could land a decent position that way. I also want to attend a fair and joining is only way to attend these fairs, from my understanding?
Any thoughts or advice about my competitiveness and/or best course of action to take would be greatly appreciated. I already have a game plan, but thoughts from those who've been in this position never hurts. Thanks in advance!
I’m currently about to start my 2nd year of a 2 year contract at what I guess would be a third tier IS in Asia. Actually, I work in an international department of a local school in China (which I’ve read is comparable to lower tier ISs). The school is an IB World School for the DP. I have attended two IB workshops last school year and currently teach two IB subjects, my main being a social studies course (Group 3 DP), so this job has been good on that front. Additionally I hold a teacher certification from a state in the US and hold a Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with a specialty in social studies from a top 10 university.
This is my first full-time teaching position in my certification field (high school social studies). Prior to this position, I substitute taught for a short while in the US, as the job market was pretty bad for my certificate subject. Other than that, I have my student teaching experiences, as well as some previous ESL teaching from before I pursued my MAT and a proper teaching certification (which I know doesn’t really matter as far as IS administrators are concerned).
Ideally, I’d like an upgrade to a proper international school next year. While I do have a teaching certification from the US, a Masters degree and novice experience with IB (2 years by the time 2016-17 rolls around), I'll only really have 2 years of relevant experience. Top tier schools would be a reach for me, but they’re actually not my priority. I mainly just want to move on to a proper international school (high percentage of expat students) with a good salary package and/or savings potential and some professional development opportunities. Tier 2 schools ideally but even a tier 3 with a good package. An IB school isn’t a necessity, as I do have knowledge and experience with AP and common core from when I was in the US. But, since I do have the training and I’m currently gaining experience teaching IB, an IB school would probably be preferable if given the choice (and it also largely aligns with my own philosophy of teaching). Open to region, although SE Asia would probably be top choice if I had ability to choose. I should mention I’m single, with no kids or spouse.
Would ISS be a good agency to register with? Would I have a decent shot at being somewhat competitive at ISS? I've heard that with less experienced candidates, they can be somewhat dismissive and unhelpful. I’ve looked into Search Associates but ISS appeals to me more for a couple reasons. I also plan to apply to schools directly and use other resources, like TIE, to help my search, but I do want to join at least one of the big agencies if there’s a good chance I could land a decent position that way. I also want to attend a fair and joining is only way to attend these fairs, from my understanding?
Any thoughts or advice about my competitiveness and/or best course of action to take would be greatly appreciated. I already have a game plan, but thoughts from those who've been in this position never hurts. Thanks in advance!