The International Schools Review Forum

Hello,

I have recently been offered an international teaching job. Currently I am in the process of obtaining the necessary documents and so forth.

Not too long ago I asked the Director of the school (who also telephone interviewed me) if I could be in touch a few past and/or present teachers.

Basically I was told no. According to this Director’s story the teachers don't have time to address the questions of incoming colleagues. I know that international teaching can be time consuming BUT not enough time to address a few questions? They must work 26 hours a day then!

The other reason was that teachers don't feel comfortable being contacted by people they don't know (i.e. the future teachers going to work at the SAME school they are or were working for).

I was then told that I should simply have faith and trust that the school would take good care of me and that questions should be addressed only to the school management.

In summary, I was made to feel like I should just go with the flow and deal with it.

In the past I have had access to the email addresses of other teachers who were very helpful and happy to help me. Additionally, I have made myself available to others concerning schools, organizations, internships and much more. This explains why I find the Director’s response a bit unusual.

I still would like to work at this school (been looking into other options as well).

What do you think? Have you had similar experiences? All insights are appreciated!

PINK

Come on, Pink.
It sounds like you know what this means but you are hoping that it doesn't.

I was offered a job at a school in Saudi. I e-mailed several teachers whose names I found on the website - I did not know them nor did they know me.
I got several replies back that convinced me that this school was hiding some things that I should have been told about.

Needless to say, I rejected the contract offer.

Trust an international school administrator? If the school is a good one then the admin person would love for you to contact teachers at the school.

Would you buy a house or car based solely on what one person told you?

Listen to your heart and use your common sense. I think you know the answer to your question.

deleted

Hey,

Thanks for your replies!

I feel where you are coming from. The whole situation just doesn't sit well with me. I am known, however, to be a wishful thinker (I get it from my mother! :)

At the end of the day I wouldn't wanna be kicking myself for accepting the position and end up miserable! Considering the salary, housing situation and benefits (or lack thereof) it's not even worth it!

Fortunately I am still looking around so hopefully something else will materialize with another school!

I'll keep you posted and let u know what happens!

PINK

That Director gave you the wrong answer, Pink! Definitely heed the other's advice and move on. This is the real value of this forum- to connect with other international teachers about issues such as this (much like the heads connect on difficult situations they face on the HeadNet).

Pink!

I'm hoping you would take the advice of the others who have already posted here. I'm going to add my insight and suggest that you look the other way and don't pursue with the presented contract.

There is nothing worse than leaving your home country to find yourself in a terrible situation overseas. I have been there and would suggest that you do everything in your power to research a school before relocating. Speak to existing teachers, go onto forums like this and understand that this teaching business is no joke. It's a very political job with many stresses that are way beyond your control.

Red flag! Red Flag!

Why try to hide something? It is extremely helpful to have contact with current teachers. They can give you the other side of the story, give you tips on what to bring/not bring, and give you a "friend" that you sort of know when you get there.

Don't even reconsider! Go with your gut instinct and walk (or run) away.

I agree with the previous posts. When I asked one school about getting teacher contact information to I could ask questions directly of the teacher, they gave me one name, the wife of the Head of Secondary. I was told all the other teachers had left for the summer and could not be contacted. I decided to decline the job offer. Needless to say, it was a school that has repeatedly received negative reviews both in the pay section and on the forum here at ISR.

If the school isn't transparent with teacher contacts, they will not be transparent with most things that concern you.

Good luck.