ISS/Search

[gardner92]

I joined ISS last year, but did not attend a recruiting fair. I decided to stay in my present position as the principal of a K-8th school in SC for one more year.
My question: Should I join S. Assoc. if I want to teach or be an administrator in Africa? It looks like Search may have more connections with African schools. Please advise.....Thanks!

[PsyGuy]

Search has a much bigger database of African schools (53 currently). Search has more 2nd tier schools then ISS and even though youve been a principal any tier 1 school would most likely pursue you as an AP. A second tier school a principal, and you will find third tier schools that would consider you as a head.

[Roberto]

I am a 3rd tier director seeking 2nd tier directorship or principalship 1st tier? What should I do??

[PsyGuy]

Your not going to get to a first tier school as a principal. At best your going to get into a principalship at a second tier school. Typically you can only move one level in a category (position, tier, region, etc), director at a 3rd tier school (you really need to clarify what "director" is), means AP at a 1st tier school, or Principal at a 2nd tier school. You really asking how to make 2 jumps, and I dont know really how to do that.

In all good conscious, Im reaching out of my expertise here and going to refer you to Walter, hes been doing this for 20+ years and given the region this is more his area of expertise. If he doesnt reply soon, just post a new message with his name in the heading.

[mysharona]

There are no rules, no first or second tier. If you have the qualifications and the references you have every opportunity to land an admin job at the bigger schools around the world. I work at a school that people would consider a tier 1 school. We have multiple schools, thus multiple principals. Right now 3 of them had no overseas experience before arriving on our doorstep.

[PsyGuy]

That's crazy talk, I know you think that the tier system is just an illusion, but your not going to make it go away by pretending it doesn't exist.

International experience isn't the issue, I'm sure your admins had strong resumes in leadership from whatever home countries they came from. In this case the OP is coming as a director from a third tier school. Your delusional if you think he's gong to sail into the same role at ISB, ASIJ, etc., that just doesn't happen.

[overseasvet2]

Please mark your calendars...I'm going to agree with PsyGuy. The unwritten tier system exists...somehow those coming straight from the States often get to circumvent it all, with mixed results. It's always possible to jump tiers - view the trajectory of the current head of JIS. It means you offer exactly what schools are looking for. Also....network, network, network.