PsyGuy,

LOL...Thanks for the suggestion and the sample letter.

Your input has been greatly appreciated

-HM

PsyGuy,
I felt that could be the case, that is why I asked...thank you again. There is stiil another month to get signed-up with ISS.

I guess I will have to bite the bullet and sign up for ISS...it seems to have the same clients (for the most part), with some additional schools that Search does not have...UNI, not so much (but several clients that are neither signed up with Search nor ISS).

I simply don't feel that I am willing to "leave to chance" that they will choose to let me attend Cambridge AFTER I have already paid them. I do not feel it is worth the gamble to "settle" for SF.

It's ironic that the reason that I am being effectively "shut out" of Cambridge is because I did not have the cash in hand at the time...so it will now cost me more money to have access to the same schools through ISS.

Live and learn...

-HM

Thanks to all that have veiwed/contributed so far.

PsyGuy- If I were not to join Search, I would probably attend ISS (my next choice but unfortunately more expensive, (but at least at the same time as Cambridge), OR attend UNI.

dreamgiver- UNI is cheaper...just register ($190.00 I believe, no cost to attend the fair). They have very minimal requirements to be "invited"...as little as a teaching licence I believe.

DCgirl- I am considering registering with Search and hoping to get invited to Cambridge. At this point I am leaning heavily toward attending a fair...either UNI or ISS Boston. I am not sure what to do about SF. It is so late that I would have already attended a fair.

Since I am leaning toward attending a fair, I don't think I would consider joining Search with some assurance that I would get an invite to Cambridge.

The head od the Cambridge fair is also the head man at Search. Should I consider "going over the head" of my associate and ask the head guy for an invite OR might this "poison the waters for me", so to speak? I have heard quite a lot of conflicting information about the amount of assistance that people receive form asociates at fairs...seemingly a lot of assistance or little to none...I do not believe I have ever heard of any middle ground.

What do you all think?

I just received this message from my associate:


[i]I don't know how long the San Francisco fair will be available. When it fills up, like what happened in Cambridge, I will not be able to register additional candidates. My feeling is that it should continue to be available for a few more weeks, but I can never be certain.

About 40% of our candidates who accept positions are placed without attending a fair at all - everything is done over the Internet / telephone. Your first step will be to complete your file and have it be activated.[/i]

What do you think?

Thanks PsyGuy. I haven't joined search yet, I had only spoken to an associate, as I didn't have the money at the time.
So with that said, they do not even know what my qualifications are...they simply told me this morning when I inquired, that the fair was closed to new applicants.
Thoughts?

It took too long to round up the funds and now Search Cambridge is closed. My associate is trying to send me to Search SF. I have heard many say that it is too late in the season for the SF fair.
What should my next choice be?
ISS Boston, UNI, Search SF...I am at a loss.
My credentials are below. Where would YOU suggest.
Also I can get a regular ed. licence in Social Studies and PE by the summer...but not in time for the fair...state education department laid off a lot of staff...approxmately 3 month to get new licence>
Suggestions?

MY Credentials: Thirteen years total teaching experience, of which two years were teaching regular education social studies (not certified, but considered "highly qualified", due to my BA being in History). I've taught United States and Word History, Economics, Civics/Government, two state histories.
Alternate Certification in Special Education, with eleven years experience. Certification in my home state was Mild/Moderate K-12, in my present state LD 1-12. I've taught on both the middle and high school levels, a little resource but mostly self-contained classes. As such, I've actually taught [i]every[/i] core class (English, Math, Science, Social Studies) for grades 7-12 (with the exception of AlgebraII, Geometry, Trig, and Calculus).

I also have Master Degrees in both Special Education and Educational Leadership. I would like to get into administration in the near future.

overseasvet2-Thank you for the advice

Thank you for your responses.

PsyGuy- thank you for your thoughtful, point-by-point responses to my questions...they are greatly appreciated.

Ichiro- Thank you for your reassurances about my qualifications, coming from someone that is at the pinnacle of the international teaching profession, your reassurance is most welcome.

Redster-Thank you for the QSI specific response. As I really do not know what is out there, a position with QSI would be a comfort as it seems to be a "risk free" environment in which to get one's feet wet and earn some international experience. I sent in my application materials on Friday December 2nd and have yet to hear back from them, or to have had them contact any of my references, so I was getting concerned that my being in a "pending divorce" situation might be a strike against me.

I am still torn as to how to proceed with my job search. If I were to be offored a interview/position with QSI in the near term, I am pretty sure I would accept the position and discontinue my search at that point.
My dilemma is that the recruiting season rolls on and I am sort of in limbo due to circumstances I have outlined in my OP, and above.

I guess my most pressing question at this point is: Would it be worth it to sign-up with Search, with the intentions of targeting positions that are suitable for my experience (and planning on biting the bullet and spending the money necessary to attend the fair
OR
To spend a more affordable amount of money in going to the UNI fair
OR
Simply using the "links to schools reviewed on ISR, to send cover letters and CVs to schools that do/might have an opening?

Any additional help from those have already responded, or anyone else who has an informed opinion on the matter would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks...

Sorry about the typos, missed in the review.

Surely someone can help. If you can only answer one or two questions...that would be great.
Thanks...

Hello all,
I hope you will all pardon my ignorance, but I need some answers.

[u]MY Credentials[/u]: Thirteen years total teaching experience, of which two years were teaching regular education social studies (not certified, but considered "highly qualified", due to my BA being in History). I've taught United States and Word History, Economics, Civics/Government, two state histories.
Alternate Certification in Special Education, with eleven years experience. Certification in my home state was Mild/Moderate K-12, in my present state LD 1-12. I've taught on both the middle and high school levels, a little resource but mostly self-contained classes. As such, I've actually taught [i]every[/i] core class (English, Math, Science, Social Studies) for grades 7-12 (with the exception of AlgebraII, Geometry, Trig, and Calculus).

I also have Master Degrees in both Special Education and Educational Leadership. I would like to get into administration in the near future.

I have also coached on the middle school level (Head girls basketball, track, and softball coach).
On the high school level I have been a varisty Head Golf and Softball, and Track coach, as well as an assistant in Football, Softball, Baseball, and Track coach.
I've taught sports lab classes for PE credit in Golf, softball, and Track.

My recommendations are excellent.

[u]About Me[/u]

I am a 47 year old male that is getting divorced that will have my 13 year old son with me. I am primarily interested in teaching in Eastern Europe and Asia, would also consider the Middle East for the right package/situation. (I realize this might have to be the path I choose as I have no international experience.
My main interests are being able to bank a little money in the beginning and to have a comfortable situation for my son...therefore I am thinking a school with a true "international" population of students would be important (I do not want my son feeling like an outcast).

[u]Questions[/u]

A) Could you please out line the obstacles that might might face getting what I want in each of my desired work regions?

B) I am guesing Tier 1 schools are out at this point, but possible Tier 2 schools that might consider me in each region...could you list some potential schools from each region/country?

C) I am considering QSI schools as we are Christians, it seems it would be a good "safe" place to begin (and possibly stay/advance?). Would they consider me do to my being in the situation where I am divorcing? I sent in my application to them this week.

D) I have an opportunity to add a certification in PE to my licence before this summer...is it worth doing?

E) Money is going to be tight in the near term, with that said, Do I need to join a company like Search or ISS or attend the UNI fair? As I siad, money IS tight, but will get it together if necessary...

F) Is there anything I am not considering that I need to be aware of?

G) What is the potential for administrative jobs. How many years of successful overseas experience should I expect to need before becoming a viable administrative candidate?


I would to thank everyone that will respond in advance!!![/u]