The International Schools Review Forum

Did anyone here move overseas immediately after finishing their B.Ed. / teacher training? How did it go? Did it turn out to be a good school to work in or was it a distaster of a place unable to attract teachers with experience?

My wife and I are late thirties, both with four years full time elementary ESL experience in Taiwan and Japan from the early 2000s. I am currently finishing up my B.Ed. in Vancouver and my wife will complete hers in July 2010. (I'm going to be a substitute teacher for the next year). We both have experience in other fields (aircraft technician, career counsellor, business owner).

There aren't too many jobs going in Canada, unless we want to move to the frigid north, which isn't too appealing, so we were thinking about upping and moving abroad straight after my wife qualifies.

However, we have concerns as we have a daughter who will be entering Kindergarten (kids change everything!). Here's the conundrum, would we want our daughter educated in an international school who employ teachers straight out of university?! Sounds like a double standard, I know, but I'm sure people with kids will know what I mean.

So, really the question is, will it likely be possible for us to find employment in a school straight out of university where we would feel comfortable enrolling our daughter? Or should we stick it out in Canada for a couple of years?

Southeast Asia is my prefered choice, but anywhere where we could save at least US$25,000 a year between us would be considered.

Any help appreciated.

holmes5668@hotmail.com

We are both elementary generalists, by the way.

Hi Mark,

I graduated from UBC last year and picked up a job at Dalian Maple Leaf International School in Dalian, China. I came over with my wife, two children, and about fifty other teachers, many of us new graduates.
I can recommend it for new teachers, and teachers with children. As far as educational options for your child, the Maple Leaf elementary school may be your best option.

Let me know if you are still reading this thread and want more info.

Yours Truly,

Charles Chalmers

Hi Cha Muir

I tried to PM you, but it doesn't work. Could you email me as I would like to find out about Maple Leaf. I was aware of them before, but didn't get a good impression of them (third hand info though).

Thanks

holmes5668@hotmail.com

As I'm sure many on here will attest--and maybe you have found through your own education--good teaching doesn't always mean they are teachers with a lot of experience. It's always on a case by case basis, I believe. Some of the best teachers I've been around have been fairly new to teaching, while some of the worst have been doing it for decades. And vice versa, of course. I wouldn't let that specific issue keep you from a school.

Hi Mark,

I've responded to your questions regarding DMLIS in another thread.

As I said there, my experiences have been positive. Some teachers complain about certain things at our school; but then, some people can complain about almost anything.

Ask your questions and I will try to answer them as best I can. As a father with two children, I know how important it is to make an informed decision before making such a big move.

As far as private messages: I would prefer to make my comment publicly, and certainly not anonymously.

Yours,

Charles Chalmers

Mark,

Please find a reply to your email address.

Cee