First I just have to start by saying THANK YOU to everyone who is here sharing their knowledge and experiences about teaching internationally. These forums really hold a wealth of information.
Now on to my question with a bit of background. After talking with a friend (whose husband just received and accepted an offer from Saudi Aramco today!) over the past month or so, I got this crazy idea that my husband could teach overseas. I want to be able to provide chances for my children to really experience other cultures. My husband (you know, the teacher) was kind of wishy washy about the idea until I found postings for 2 science teaching positions at International School Manila. At the time, I didn't realize ISM was one of the "tier 1" schools, and just figured, hey, he could apply there! My husband lived in the Manila area for a couple of years and would love to be able to go back, so all of the sudden he is on board with the idea.
So here are his pros:
*8 years experience teaching high school sciences - earth systems, biology, geology, and physics specifically (but he is licensed to teach any of the sciences)
*speaks Tagalog pretty fluently (though I know he would be teaching in English - this is more of a plus for me, I guess)
*ESL endorsed
*Common Core Instructor for the state
*Department Head (not currently, but was at a previous school)
*He's a fantastic teacher who really does care about his students and is willing to put in the extra time necessary to make sure that those who want to succeed can
Cons (that I've discovered are cons by reading these forums):
*I don't teach. I mean, I could be a reading specialist or teach Zumba classes, but nothing that would make a school want to pay me to move to their country
*4 kids
*No IB experience (though he already teaches with a somewhat inquiry-based approach and actually has the IB Physics training binder in his possession at the moment)
*Can't attend a fair (a bit late in the game here...)
So my question is, do we even stand a chance? He's only looking at ISM and is not interested in other schools at this point (maybe if I worked on him over the next year I could get him past that).
We don't even stand a chance, do we?
You will never know unless you try! Four kids would be pushing it, but he is otherwise very marketable, and he teaches science, which is much in demand. The fact that he's familiar with the Philippines and wants to live there may be a plus, as he would not have the culture shock a new-to-the-country teacher might have.
I say, Go for it! He will have to get all his ducks in a row and apply preferably yesterday as recruiting season is in full swing. Good luck!
I say, Go for it! He will have to get all his ducks in a row and apply preferably yesterday as recruiting season is in full swing. Good luck!
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The 4 kids and trailing spouse (you) is a fatal deal breaker. Im sure you will hear a story or two about someone with a Brady bunch family who got an offer, but realistically its not going to happen. Your just too expensive a hire, even a tier 1 school is going to exhaust other possible hires (and there will be a lot) before getting to the pile you would be in. As a recruiter Id be paying for 6 people to fill one classroom, not going to happen if a HOS has any other options.
Second, I know everyone hates hearing about it, but your husbands nationality is going to be a "negative", even int he Philippines were to ISs "western education" means western, and to some degree western looking teachers. Looking "native" would not be an incentive, and for political reasons at the school (mainly the local staff at the school would revolt at a fellow native being on a OSH package) which may very likely result in being offered a local package in the hypothetical scenario where he would get an offer.
Second, I know everyone hates hearing about it, but your husbands nationality is going to be a "negative", even int he Philippines were to ISs "western education" means western, and to some degree western looking teachers. Looking "native" would not be an incentive, and for political reasons at the school (mainly the local staff at the school would revolt at a fellow native being on a OSH package) which may very likely result in being offered a local package in the hypothetical scenario where he would get an offer.
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MicheMommy
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 2:48 pm
I guess I didn't clarify - my husband is not Filipino in the least - 6 ft tall, pasty white guy. He just lived there before.
But I did figure we, as his family, would make it fatal. He'll still apply (he's just waiting on some letters of rec right now, so hopefully by the end of the week), but I'm not keeping my fingers crossed.
But I did figure we, as his family, would make it fatal. He'll still apply (he's just waiting on some letters of rec right now, so hopefully by the end of the week), but I'm not keeping my fingers crossed.
I would guess that your chances are extremely slim to none.
One of the most important factors is the need to be open. Targeting one school (or even country) is too limiting. Especially with your particular situation. You would need to be prepared to go anywhere in the world that would take you.
4 children is a huge issue. You're not a certified teacher. That's 5 dependents. The only way that you'd be able to swing that is to go to QSI or something similar. Even if you became a teacher, your options are severely limited. This is probably a deal breaker.
No IB experience (not just training) is a negative but probably not a deal breaker.
A school like ISM will have several candidates with better qualifications-even in those high needs areas. They also attend many of the fairs and will probably look at those candidates first.
One of the most important factors is the need to be open. Targeting one school (or even country) is too limiting. Especially with your particular situation. You would need to be prepared to go anywhere in the world that would take you.
4 children is a huge issue. You're not a certified teacher. That's 5 dependents. The only way that you'd be able to swing that is to go to QSI or something similar. Even if you became a teacher, your options are severely limited. This is probably a deal breaker.
No IB experience (not just training) is a negative but probably not a deal breaker.
A school like ISM will have several candidates with better qualifications-even in those high needs areas. They also attend many of the fairs and will probably look at those candidates first.
In my experience and research, schools typically do not pay for a whole family as PG seems to imply; often they will state they will cover travel for a spouse and maybe two kids. School tuition may not be waived for all the kids, either.
It seemed quite clear in your original post that your husband was not a native and had just lived there as an ex-pat.
It seemed quite clear in your original post that your husband was not a native and had just lived there as an ex-pat.
Comment
if the school hires a teacher whatever its size, they are going to follow the standard school policy. Making an exception to that hiring policy would set a bad example for the rest of the staff and faculty. The realistic outcome is that with a rack ratio of 6:1 (thats 6 travelers to 1 employee) its a very difficult challenge to sell a school on.
My apologies, Tagalog is not a very common language studied outside the Philippines and when you wrote hed love to go return, i assumed he was a native from there. While it was clear to heyteach it was not clear to me, and i prefer to error on the side of caution and address a potential issue in error then neglect it entirely.
My apologies, Tagalog is not a very common language studied outside the Philippines and when you wrote hed love to go return, i assumed he was a native from there. While it was clear to heyteach it was not clear to me, and i prefer to error on the side of caution and address a potential issue in error then neglect it entirely.
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vettievette
- Posts: 101
- Joined: Fri Oct 14, 2011 1:31 am
I have a couple of friends/friends of friends who are Filipino-Canadian or FilAm (like me) who've applied/working at Brent and ISM. Their appearance and the fact that they have Filipino roots was not a hindrance nor was it an issue in terms of getting an FTRO (foreign teacher recruited overseas) contract. Am sure it gets a little political with the local teachers - but I've not heard them talk about this specifically.
With that aside, targeting one school is tricky. I've been through that dance before during my first fair experience and thankfully I took the posts on here and my associate's advice to heart and applied to other schools. Got a gig at a place that was not on my initial list/map, but wound up being a pretty good jumping off point since it's all IB, good reputation, etc.
With that aside, targeting one school is tricky. I've been through that dance before during my first fair experience and thankfully I took the posts on here and my associate's advice to heart and applied to other schools. Got a gig at a place that was not on my initial list/map, but wound up being a pretty good jumping off point since it's all IB, good reputation, etc.
Biggest CON not on your list:
Your husband had to be cajoled into this by you.
YOU may want to experience the world but HE will be the one working. If HE doesn't really want to do this then he will not be happy and more than just his job could be in jeopardy.
Just for our information, what do you think you will be doing while your husband works?
Your husband had to be cajoled into this by you.
YOU may want to experience the world but HE will be the one working. If HE doesn't really want to do this then he will not be happy and more than just his job could be in jeopardy.
Just for our information, what do you think you will be doing while your husband works?
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MicheMommy
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 2:48 pm
That is a good point, senator. He wasn't enthusiastic about the idea (but wasn't against it) until the prospect of teaching in the Philippines came up. That is something he would absolutely love to be able to do. He loves teaching and has told me that he doesn't really care where. It's just the legwork of applying and changing places that doesn't excite him. He doesn't really get "excited" about much of anything, but is flexible and can find happiness in many situations.
As for me, I planned on doing what I do now, which is to raise my children, who range from 9 to 2 years. I might teach a couple of free Zumba classes if I found a place to do it, knowing that it would be unlikely for me to be able get a work visa to do, but still something I love so I might as well share.
Don't be worried that I'm having delusions of success though, I've accepted the fact that this will, in all likelihood, not be happening.
As for me, I planned on doing what I do now, which is to raise my children, who range from 9 to 2 years. I might teach a couple of free Zumba classes if I found a place to do it, knowing that it would be unlikely for me to be able get a work visa to do, but still something I love so I might as well share.
Don't be worried that I'm having delusions of success though, I've accepted the fact that this will, in all likelihood, not be happening.
aramco
@michmommy
just curious as to what position your friend accepted at Saudi aramco. My wife and I just came back from an interview with them in Houston and I was wondering what your friends experience was as far as timeline? I would love to hear about it. My reaction from today is that if you are someone they truly want you have a shot...I would encourage your husband to apply to them for science at the middle school level...you never know unless you try.
just curious as to what position your friend accepted at Saudi aramco. My wife and I just came back from an interview with them in Houston and I was wondering what your friends experience was as far as timeline? I would love to hear about it. My reaction from today is that if you are someone they truly want you have a shot...I would encourage your husband to apply to them for science at the middle school level...you never know unless you try.
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MicheMommy
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 2:48 pm
@gbr - It was kind of a round-about and unconventional thing for my friend's husband. They first became interested through a former principal/friend of his who had spent several years over there and was talking to them about it. But when they emailed someone about info, they were told that they were only looking to hire smaller families (my friend also has 4 children, about the same ages as mine). Then their baby got very very sick due to some immune issues he has from being a premie and Saudi wasn't even on their radar.
Then back in March, the old friend/principal told them that he and his wife were heading back over to Saudi so she could start a new preschool and he would be teaching. My friends off-handedly said something about putting in a good word for them, and then didn't think about it any more.
In Octoberish, the principal friend contacted them and said he'd talked to the director, who was willing to get clearance for their family to go over if he was a good fit and things just rolled along from there. I'm pretty sure all of his interviews/meetings with them were Skyped and they felt very good about everything from the get-go. Two years ago, moving oversees wasn't something they'd ever even considered. I don't know exactly what position he was hired for, but I believe he teaches either 4th or 5th right now.
As far as my family and Saudi Aramco, my husband does not have a master's degree, which I believe is one of the requirements, but maybe I'm wrong. He's also not interested in moving to the KSA right now, so it would be a hard sell for him, although the opportunities it could provide our family would be AMAZING.
Good luck to you and your wife, gbr! I hope you get a position you're hoping for!
Then back in March, the old friend/principal told them that he and his wife were heading back over to Saudi so she could start a new preschool and he would be teaching. My friends off-handedly said something about putting in a good word for them, and then didn't think about it any more.
In Octoberish, the principal friend contacted them and said he'd talked to the director, who was willing to get clearance for their family to go over if he was a good fit and things just rolled along from there. I'm pretty sure all of his interviews/meetings with them were Skyped and they felt very good about everything from the get-go. Two years ago, moving oversees wasn't something they'd ever even considered. I don't know exactly what position he was hired for, but I believe he teaches either 4th or 5th right now.
As far as my family and Saudi Aramco, my husband does not have a master's degree, which I believe is one of the requirements, but maybe I'm wrong. He's also not interested in moving to the KSA right now, so it would be a hard sell for him, although the opportunities it could provide our family would be AMAZING.
Good luck to you and your wife, gbr! I hope you get a position you're hoping for!
Aramco
@michemommy
Thanks for getting back to me...I would not give up if I were you. Get your husband to talk to your friends there and see if that may sway him,,,you definitely want to be on the same page for such a big decision
Hope it works out for you both
Thanks for getting back to me...I would not give up if I were you. Get your husband to talk to your friends there and see if that may sway him,,,you definitely want to be on the same page for such a big decision
Hope it works out for you both