After reading the reviews of the job fairs so far, one thing is clear: teaching couples are more sought after than single teachers. And just to save the rent of one extra apartment, can you imagine?! Forget the whole "best candidate for the job" business, this is money we're talking about! Which leads me to my next question: who wants to marry me?
Oh sure, sounds like a joke, but just think what a power couple we would be at the job fairs next time, what with my M.A and 14 years teaching experience, and your *fill-in-the-blank*!
Any and all male applications will be accepted; only successful candidates will be notified. Strong possibility of Skype interviews with webcam.
Who wants to marry me?
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calciodirigore
- Posts: 155
- Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:16 pm
- Location: Europe
I find the couples issue to be absurd. I know that schools want to save money, but perhaps they should do a bit of restructuring of their finances in order to do this. I was told by my top two choices at the Bangkok fair that I was by far the best candidate for the position but that their respective boards didn't allow them to offer contracts to single teachers just yet. So, they went on to hire a teacher that didn't have the experience or credentials that I did simply because they happened to be hitched to another teacher. Ridiculous.
Every time I explain this phenomenon to my non-teacher friends in the corporate world they find it appalling. It's blatant discrimination and would not be allowed in the UK or US. The unfortunate thing is that it's not about to change anytime soon. Most international schools operate in some sort of limbo (at least the ones outside of certain EU countries) where host country laws can be ignored or adhered to selectively. The accrediting bodies and recruiting agencies from the US and Europe turn a blind eye to the problem.
My wife, who is a teacher, decided to pull out of her extended maternity in order for us to land jobs. As soon as I changed my status on ISS, a barrage of e-mails starting rolling in from schools. We managed to secure jobs shortly after I returned from Bangkok, only of course, because I happened to be hitched to a teacher. Like I said, absurd...
Every time I explain this phenomenon to my non-teacher friends in the corporate world they find it appalling. It's blatant discrimination and would not be allowed in the UK or US. The unfortunate thing is that it's not about to change anytime soon. Most international schools operate in some sort of limbo (at least the ones outside of certain EU countries) where host country laws can be ignored or adhered to selectively. The accrediting bodies and recruiting agencies from the US and Europe turn a blind eye to the problem.
My wife, who is a teacher, decided to pull out of her extended maternity in order for us to land jobs. As soon as I changed my status on ISS, a barrage of e-mails starting rolling in from schools. We managed to secure jobs shortly after I returned from Bangkok, only of course, because I happened to be hitched to a teacher. Like I said, absurd...
calciodirigore: I agree with you 100%.
The thing I find funny about the teaching couples at my current school is often one of them is a lot better as a teacher than the other. So the one who is weaker ends up short changing the school.
I can see value in having teaching couples, but if one of them isn't meant to be a teacher, what are schools doing putting such an emphasis on this?
My wife is not a teacher and I really hope it doesn't become an issue of not getting a job because I am not a couple.
To the OP: you are onto a good thing. I'm sure somewhere, someone has thought up the exact same thing as you!
The thing I find funny about the teaching couples at my current school is often one of them is a lot better as a teacher than the other. So the one who is weaker ends up short changing the school.
I can see value in having teaching couples, but if one of them isn't meant to be a teacher, what are schools doing putting such an emphasis on this?
My wife is not a teacher and I really hope it doesn't become an issue of not getting a job because I am not a couple.
To the OP: you are onto a good thing. I'm sure somewhere, someone has thought up the exact same thing as you!
Unfortunately this isn't the only unfair or ridiculous hiring practice condoned by many international schools. I simply wanted to move from one position to another, one that I in fact am more qualified to teach, and I was turned down. Same thing happened to a friend of mine, yet another teacher was moved even though she had no qualifications for her new job. In the end teachers are just commodities and the school will do whatever is best for the school regardless of what is best for their staffs or students and hiring is just one avenue in which that is evident.
I doubt it is just the saving cost aspect that makes teaching couples so attractive to schools or even if that is the most attractive part of it.
It is more that a couple is seen to be more likely to fit in easier and be comfortable in the environment. They are seen as being mutually supportive and so less of a risk. When hiring a single, well...perhaps they are perceived to be more likely to be into partying, might not be as stable or there is more of a risk them just packing up and leaving. Teaching couples...well, may well have kids and thus stay for years.
Whether any of that is fair or not is another thing. I do know though from an experience I remember at a pretty crappy school that one singleton did an overnight runner as they a) hated the school, b) had no need to stay and c) had met a partner in a different country and another single teacher there that met a local guy and got pregnant so left before the end of their contract. The teaching couple fulfilled their contract (even though they hated it) and then moved with a warm farewell. On other other hand...so did one of the single teachers that was hired.
So...I think heads see couples as being less of a risk, less likely to rock the boat...and also it is two positions filled in at once. Never underestimate the laziness of many a school head as well. For all the hard working, dedicated directors around there are just many who will look for the easiest option for them rather than what is necessarily best for the school in the long run.
Ah well...just some ramblings...
It is more that a couple is seen to be more likely to fit in easier and be comfortable in the environment. They are seen as being mutually supportive and so less of a risk. When hiring a single, well...perhaps they are perceived to be more likely to be into partying, might not be as stable or there is more of a risk them just packing up and leaving. Teaching couples...well, may well have kids and thus stay for years.
Whether any of that is fair or not is another thing. I do know though from an experience I remember at a pretty crappy school that one singleton did an overnight runner as they a) hated the school, b) had no need to stay and c) had met a partner in a different country and another single teacher there that met a local guy and got pregnant so left before the end of their contract. The teaching couple fulfilled their contract (even though they hated it) and then moved with a warm farewell. On other other hand...so did one of the single teachers that was hired.
So...I think heads see couples as being less of a risk, less likely to rock the boat...and also it is two positions filled in at once. Never underestimate the laziness of many a school head as well. For all the hard working, dedicated directors around there are just many who will look for the easiest option for them rather than what is necessarily best for the school in the long run.
Ah well...just some ramblings...
I can and do sympathize with some of you single teachers with dependents. I am sure it would be upsetting if you really felt the only reason you didn't get offered the job was because you weren't married to another teacher. At the same time did it ever occur to any of you that maybe you just didn't get offered the job because they felt you weren't the person for the job? Also feel like I need to point out that not all teaching couples have a weak teacher as part of the pair. I know hard to imagine but they are out there!
:wink:
:wink:
[quote="shansar"]I can and do sympathize with some of you single teachers with dependents. I am sure it would be upsetting if you really felt the only reason you didn't get offered the job was because you weren't married to another teacher. At the same time did it ever occur to any of you that maybe you just didn't get offered the job because they felt you weren't the person for the job? Also feel like I need to point out that not all teaching couples have a weak teacher as part of the pair. I know hard to imagine but they are out there!
:wink:[/quote]
I emailed a school this week and I was told flat out they only want married couples where BOTH work at the school. Needless to say that was crossed off my list, as my wife isn't a teacher.
:wink:[/quote]
I emailed a school this week and I was told flat out they only want married couples where BOTH work at the school. Needless to say that was crossed off my list, as my wife isn't a teacher.
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Open Communication
- Posts: 117
- Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2010 3:53 am
I would actually seriously consider marrying someone to secure a good position at a reputable school. I came close to attending a fair in the past with a woman as a non-married teaching couple. I have 11 years experience teaching internationally and I am certified K-12. I'm also a very good catch :)
Get back to me before the next recruiting fair!
Get back to me before the next recruiting fair!
Marry a stranger?
I've been reading these posts about marrying a stranger with amusement. No one has mentioned the fact that if you marry a stranger to pass yourselves off as a couple, you're going to have to LIVE with that guy or girl. It's hard enough to live with someone you actually love. LOL
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hydrogonian
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Wed Aug 05, 2009 7:10 pm
About the schools being in some type of legal "Limbo", as one poster put it, I'm pretty sure most schools are, unfortunately, perfectly within their rights with their hiring practices.
First, most teachers are recruited outside of the host country. This would likely circumnavigate any issues from the start, as the actual hiring (where the alleged infraction would have transpired) is done outside of the jurisdiction of the country of the school.
Second, these schools are private organizations. Even in countries where there are such hiring legalities in place, such as the USA, if the hiring discrimination isn't something more controversial like age, race or sex discrimination, then its very likely that, as a private organization, it would be tough to argue against them that they are not within their rights to prefer couples.
Third, in most countries outside of the USA and EU, I would venture that hiring discrimination legislation would be rare. Therefore, complaining to anyone would be a non-starter.
Furthermore, I don't believe that the motivation to hire couples stretches far beyond the economic. I think that schools can further justify their preference by listing nice things like stability and more, but I suspect that the favorable economics of the teaching couple are at the root. Otherwise, I don't think that such a preference would make it so far as to be the official policy of the school. However, this is conjecture.
Anyway, I'll marry the OP. But we need to have nights off for girlfriends and boyfriends. Let me know! (fingers crossed).
First, most teachers are recruited outside of the host country. This would likely circumnavigate any issues from the start, as the actual hiring (where the alleged infraction would have transpired) is done outside of the jurisdiction of the country of the school.
Second, these schools are private organizations. Even in countries where there are such hiring legalities in place, such as the USA, if the hiring discrimination isn't something more controversial like age, race or sex discrimination, then its very likely that, as a private organization, it would be tough to argue against them that they are not within their rights to prefer couples.
Third, in most countries outside of the USA and EU, I would venture that hiring discrimination legislation would be rare. Therefore, complaining to anyone would be a non-starter.
Furthermore, I don't believe that the motivation to hire couples stretches far beyond the economic. I think that schools can further justify their preference by listing nice things like stability and more, but I suspect that the favorable economics of the teaching couple are at the root. Otherwise, I don't think that such a preference would make it so far as to be the official policy of the school. However, this is conjecture.
Anyway, I'll marry the OP. But we need to have nights off for girlfriends and boyfriends. Let me know! (fingers crossed).
[quote="Open Communication"]I would actually seriously consider marrying someone to secure a good position at a reputable school. I came close to attending a fair in the past with a woman as a non-married teaching couple. I have 11 years experience teaching internationally and I am certified K-12. I'm also a very good catch :)
Get back to me before the next recruiting fair![/quote]
....so what's your content area, baby?
Get back to me before the next recruiting fair![/quote]
....so what's your content area, baby?
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Open Communication
- Posts: 117
- Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2010 3:53 am
Gemini72
Gemini72 I have some info on a school you are interested in another post. How can I contact you?
OC
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