visiting schools in person

[martalin]

This spring I will travel to a part of the world in which I would love to work. There are many schools in close proximity of each other. Would it be appropriate to visit the schools and my chosen department while I am in town?

[wrldtrvlr123]

Well, the only people who can truly answer that would be those in charge of the schools. I wouldn't just drop by. I suppose you could try and arrange something via email or t/c but how do you phrase it? Saying I may want to work at your school someday may come off as trying to work some kind of angle or appear as trying to circumvent their normal hiring procedures.

I am a fellow teacher from wherever and I would love to see how education works in your country, school, internationally etc may work for some admin but I am assuming that a majority may see it as a bother or somewhat odd.

But then again maybe that's just me and others may feel differently or have even pulled it off successfully in the past (so to speak).

[shadowjack]

You just need to be careful. Some teachers have visited schools, eventually signed a contract, and then found out because they were 'in country' that they were local hires with fewer benefits.

Not saying it WILL happen, just that it has been known to happen.

Shad

[curiousme]

I always visit schools where possible and it has never been viewed as anything but positive by the management. Usually it is by appointment beforehand, but I have found myself within the proximity of a school and just dropped by. They are sometimes a little taken aback but (perhaps as I tend to focus on schools I've done a bit of research on and I consider 'good'), they don't have a problem with it.

Not saying this would be the case everywhere but the worst reaction I've had is, 'You'll have to wait for a bit as there's nobody available to show you around at the moment." That time I had to wait 15 minutes...

[PsyGuy]

You could do that, and many schools would be receptive, though the key is planing the meeting well in advance. I would not hide your motivations. You would very likely be initially seen as a perspective parent, and that tour and pitch would be different than the one for an employee and an admin may be offended. Additionally, you may very well be able to turn the visit into an interview. Thats how networking works.

The issue of being considered a local hire is a real one. There is however nothing you can do about it, a school thats going to do that isnt one you likely want to work for anyway.

Personally, I wouldnt do it, its really an imposition on an admin and while they would be polite about it, I wouldnt take the risk.

[meerkat]

This paragraph is from an article, (titled "How to Find an International School Job" and written by S. Dexter) I recently read on the TIEonline blog:

"3) Show up in the off season: There’s a LOT to be said for heading to say, Berlin, and hitting the handful of int’l schools in the area just to say “Guten Tag” and introduce yourself to the department head or director of studies. They may have an opening, they may not. But having a bit of face time and showing a professional interest in the school will pay off when and if they have something. When a fellow showed up at my door in the Swiss Alps with his backpack and muddy Mammot boots saying he was hiking the “Haute Route” but wanted to say hello because he always wanted to teach at my school, I wanted to hire him on the spot (and trade places, to be honest)."

[vandsmith]

definitely plan in advance with the principal. i doubt any international school (or any school for that matter) would let you show up, walk in and observe.

v.

[wrldtrvlr123]

meerkat wrote:
> This paragraph is from an article, (titled "How to Find an International School Job"
> and written by S. Dexter) I recently read on the TIEonline blog:
>
> "3) Show up in the off season: There’s a LOT to be said for heading to say, Berlin,
> and hitting the handful of int’l schools in the area just to say “Guten Tag” and
> introduce yourself to the department head or director of studies. They may have
> an opening, they may not. But having a bit of face time and showing a professional
> interest in the school will pay off when and if they have something. When a fellow
> showed up at my door in the Swiss Alps with his backpack and muddy Mammot boots
> saying he was hiking the “Haute Route” but wanted to say hello because he always
> wanted to teach at my school, I wanted to hire him on the spot (and trade places,
> to be honest)."
--------------------------------
I wouldn't be comfortable doing it and when I think about many of the School Heads I have known I don't think most of them would appreciate it (although many of them would have been polite about it). I guess if you are the type of person who would do it and pull it off with gusto then that would possibly appeal to some admin types. Then again you may never know if it hurt you, helped you or was a non-factor (unless it somehow led to a job).

I guess if you are feeling froggy, jump on it.

[fine dude]

If you have a stellar record and envious credentials (ex-Teach for America, tech-savvy, high school math credential, master's in ed, ex-UWCSEA etc.), school heads will themselves invite you on linked in before you even visit their school. You know what am sayin'.