am a teacher at an Ecuadorian high school. My wife is also a teacher, but works at an international school that follows the typical North american schedule. For the last two months I have done a lot of travel, some writing, started a weight loss program and played some poker. I haven't had to worry about fitting my diet around work, or figuring out the best time to do my workouts.
That changed today. Mar 22 is back to school or for teachers so here I am back into a work routine. We are up early enough to get our animals taken care of and lunches packed. Then my wife gets on her bus and I get on mine. First day for teachers, of course is fairly simple. We get a couple of meetings, spend some time networking with the other teachers and seeing what everybody did on their vacations. Then we check out our rooms - I got a new desk!Next it is checking out the schedule for the next week - filled with meetings, and deadlines for turning in curriculum plans, diagnostic tests as well as signing up for after-school activities.
After school was over I changed and did a cardio session on the school track. While doing that I heard a yell. Some of my oncoming seniors were at basketball practice. While the ladies had a water break we talked a bit and briefly got caught up. Fun!
Showing posts with label international teaching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label international teaching. Show all posts
Monday, March 22, 2010
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Slammed, Study and being a Geographical Bachelor
Wow, things have gone from crazy to totally nuts!
Partly it is teaching at my school, Colegio Americano. We are set dead in the middle of our second quarter. You's think that things would have settled down into a rhythm, but no. Lots of teachers and clubs and everybody else are having school trips right now. In fact today (Tuesday) I will have only two classes all day, since everybody else are off gallivanting around. That really guts your teaching plans, as you see classroom hours melt away. Also, this is a middle of the South American flu season, so there are a lot of kids out sick right now. I suspect more are staying home than would normally due to Swine Flu concerns.
And then of course the history class I was teaching at nights is over (thank God)! It was a great experience but it was tough to get through with everything else on my plate.
Partly is Lisa left to go to the States for a few weeks, so I am at home holding down the fort with five dogs, three cats, two kittens and a bird. Plus, I had to go through another round of bureacratic nonsense to get a replacement Ecuadorian ID card which I had lost earlier at the same time I lost my passport on my previous trip to the States.
Add to that I am in the middle of taking a Critical Thinking class which is required for the teaching certification program I am working in online. It is not a bad class content wise, but it is quite a bit more "thinking" required than most - strange, hmm?
Plus I am trying to get together for my next trip to the States. I am going to Phoenix and Las Vegas for a week. Partly it is to at least see my wife for a few days during her vacation. Partly it is because I need to pass the APEA - which is the test you have to pass to get your Arizona teaching certificate.
Finally, I am pulling all the paperwork together so I can officially apply for conducting my final practicums. I think this part is so much fun. Not only is it paperwork intensive, but I find the fact that I am a working teacher with over 12 years of experience need to take 9 weeks of student teaching and Practicums in order to get my certificate to be ironic. Understandable on some levels, but dripping with irony nonetheless.
I did take a few hours off during the 4th of July. I went over to Colegio Americano where the American Community was having the typical 4th of July picnic stuff - games - food - music, etc. Good times - and all free too. I don't know who paid for it, it was some sort of a joint venture between the local American Consulate, InterAmerican Academy and Colegio Americano, but free beer, hot dogs and burgers is always a good thing
Partly it is teaching at my school, Colegio Americano. We are set dead in the middle of our second quarter. You's think that things would have settled down into a rhythm, but no. Lots of teachers and clubs and everybody else are having school trips right now. In fact today (Tuesday) I will have only two classes all day, since everybody else are off gallivanting around. That really guts your teaching plans, as you see classroom hours melt away. Also, this is a middle of the South American flu season, so there are a lot of kids out sick right now. I suspect more are staying home than would normally due to Swine Flu concerns.
And then of course the history class I was teaching at nights is over (thank God)! It was a great experience but it was tough to get through with everything else on my plate.
Partly is Lisa left to go to the States for a few weeks, so I am at home holding down the fort with five dogs, three cats, two kittens and a bird. Plus, I had to go through another round of bureacratic nonsense to get a replacement Ecuadorian ID card which I had lost earlier at the same time I lost my passport on my previous trip to the States.
Add to that I am in the middle of taking a Critical Thinking class which is required for the teaching certification program I am working in online. It is not a bad class content wise, but it is quite a bit more "thinking" required than most - strange, hmm?
Plus I am trying to get together for my next trip to the States. I am going to Phoenix and Las Vegas for a week. Partly it is to at least see my wife for a few days during her vacation. Partly it is because I need to pass the APEA - which is the test you have to pass to get your Arizona teaching certificate.
Finally, I am pulling all the paperwork together so I can officially apply for conducting my final practicums. I think this part is so much fun. Not only is it paperwork intensive, but I find the fact that I am a working teacher with over 12 years of experience need to take 9 weeks of student teaching and Practicums in order to get my certificate to be ironic. Understandable on some levels, but dripping with irony nonetheless.
I did take a few hours off during the 4th of July. I went over to Colegio Americano where the American Community was having the typical 4th of July picnic stuff - games - food - music, etc. Good times - and all free too. I don't know who paid for it, it was some sort of a joint venture between the local American Consulate, InterAmerican Academy and Colegio Americano, but free beer, hot dogs and burgers is always a good thing
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Swine Flu News Story - Closed School
Here is a translation of a news article in the Guayaquil newspaper "Expreso" announcing the closing of our school, Colegio Americano, due to the Swine Flu Outbreak.
"Cellular text messages calls were used by students of Colegio American to alert their parents of the presence of an outbreak of the virus AH1N1 in the institution. Near 10:00, and while an assembly was ongoing to choose the student leaders, the presence of the authorities of Education and Health of the Coast it interrupted the activities. The representatives of the Government informed the school administrators of the infection, tens of family parents arrived at the facilities to retieve their children. At 11:00 it was unusual to see as much activity at the entrances of the school. The constant traffic of vehicles drew attention of the passers-by, who prior to this had been ignorant of the situation. After the official news was announce, the students were held at the stadium of the institution. There, a brigade of the Ministry of Health explained the situation and gave instructions on what to do in case of presenting/displaying symptoms. The authorities of the school gave an official notice in closing of the establishment for 8 days. Also one of the representatives asked students, “like an act of citizen responsibility”, to stay in house and to avoid contact with third parties or to be in public places for 8 days, time that is for delay in the virus in presenting/displaying symptoms. In case of suspecting the contagion, it was requested for students to contact the Ministry from Health or authorities of the Colegio Americano."
"Cellular text messages calls were used by students of Colegio American to alert their parents of the presence of an outbreak of the virus AH1N1 in the institution. Near 10:00, and while an assembly was ongoing to choose the student leaders, the presence of the authorities of Education and Health of the Coast it interrupted the activities. The representatives of the Government informed the school administrators of the infection, tens of family parents arrived at the facilities to retieve their children. At 11:00 it was unusual to see as much activity at the entrances of the school. The constant traffic of vehicles drew attention of the passers-by, who prior to this had been ignorant of the situation. After the official news was announce, the students were held at the stadium of the institution. There, a brigade of the Ministry of Health explained the situation and gave instructions on what to do in case of presenting/displaying symptoms. The authorities of the school gave an official notice in closing of the establishment for 8 days. Also one of the representatives asked students, “like an act of citizen responsibility”, to stay in house and to avoid contact with third parties or to be in public places for 8 days, time that is for delay in the virus in presenting/displaying symptoms. In case of suspecting the contagion, it was requested for students to contact the Ministry from Health or authorities of the Colegio Americano."
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Busy and tired
Today was hectic but fun. After a rollicking day teaching my normal set of classes at Colegio Americano, I had a short break before teaching my Technical English class with my group of pilots. It was also the first night of teaching American History at Blue Hill College. One surprise is that I have a couple of friendly faces in my college night class. Two students who were seniors last year, including one who was an IB Diploma recipient in my business class, are taking my history class. Good times.
One bit of news that made me really happy: I received an email from Ashford University - the college with the Distance Learning Program I am using to obtain my teaching certificate - to tell me it is time to start doing the final paperwork towards graduation. Yahoo-ee! It has been a long hall, but the light is getting ever bigger at the end of the tunnel.
One bit of news that made me really happy: I received an email from Ashford University - the college with the Distance Learning Program I am using to obtain my teaching certificate - to tell me it is time to start doing the final paperwork towards graduation. Yahoo-ee! It has been a long hall, but the light is getting ever bigger at the end of the tunnel.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Wow! Is it really May?
Life is so crazy I didn't even realize it has been two weeks since my last blog. Lots of news to behold. I'll absolutely find it impossible to share it all but here it goes.
The first thing is that most things at school are going well. Classes are well established and the kids, for the most part, are into the swing of things. However, like most places there is a small percentage of students who are more interested in the quality of their nail polish or what other other students are doing with their lives than actually going to school for what a teenager is supposed to do (study, that was not a trick question). Anyway, It is three partial weeks and one full week in, almost halfway through the first quarter and I have my small cadre of students who are currently running a 19% or 32% grade so far. Tuesday notices go to parents so I probably will have a flurry of parent-teacher conferences right after.
The place where school is NOT going well is the schedule. We went three wees and everything was fine. Then the Powers That Be (PTB) announced a schedule change for the entire secondary school. Many teachers learned they were teaching completely different classes. Not I, since my classes are so specialized but it did scramble who I saw when. We got a full half day warning before the schedule flipped.
But when there is a flip there will be a flop, so when we walked into school the following Wednesday one of the admin assistants was waiting at the bus stop to hand out NEW SCHEDULES THAT WERE TO START THAT DAY! There were so many bad parts to this it could take me hours to vent. First, I had expected two prep periods that day, so I had been planning to use my lunch period to give some makeup tests to some students. I also had planned to spend some time during one prep period finishing some handouts to use during a couple of my afternoon classes.
With the new schedule, I had no prep periods, none. So with me having to pull duty during first recess, and the make-up tests during lunch, I did not have a single break for any reason all day. This meant I had no break to prepare my materials for my afternoon class. Worse, I now had classes for which were not previously scheduled for that day, so students showed up with no books, since many had left the books at home, thinking there would be no class.
In the few times I had a moment to speak to one of administration, I was not diplomatic in saying how horrid I thought this had been handled. Even worse in my book, we never received an explanation as to why the major schedule change was needed, nor received any reason why they couldn't wait even 24 hours to let teachers have a chance to adjust.
Grrr!
On a quasi-plus side, I've agreed with Blue Hill College here in Guayaquil to teach some history classes. I'll be teaching an American History, 1945-Present Class starting on May 5. Of course, I still am teaching a full spread of classes in the day, PLUS tutoring a group of pilots for their English Certification Test. PLUS I am still finishing off the first stage of a teaching certification program through a distance learning program.
No stress here.
The first thing is that most things at school are going well. Classes are well established and the kids, for the most part, are into the swing of things. However, like most places there is a small percentage of students who are more interested in the quality of their nail polish or what other other students are doing with their lives than actually going to school for what a teenager is supposed to do (study, that was not a trick question). Anyway, It is three partial weeks and one full week in, almost halfway through the first quarter and I have my small cadre of students who are currently running a 19% or 32% grade so far. Tuesday notices go to parents so I probably will have a flurry of parent-teacher conferences right after.
The place where school is NOT going well is the schedule. We went three wees and everything was fine. Then the Powers That Be (PTB) announced a schedule change for the entire secondary school. Many teachers learned they were teaching completely different classes. Not I, since my classes are so specialized but it did scramble who I saw when. We got a full half day warning before the schedule flipped.
But when there is a flip there will be a flop, so when we walked into school the following Wednesday one of the admin assistants was waiting at the bus stop to hand out NEW SCHEDULES THAT WERE TO START THAT DAY! There were so many bad parts to this it could take me hours to vent. First, I had expected two prep periods that day, so I had been planning to use my lunch period to give some makeup tests to some students. I also had planned to spend some time during one prep period finishing some handouts to use during a couple of my afternoon classes.
With the new schedule, I had no prep periods, none. So with me having to pull duty during first recess, and the make-up tests during lunch, I did not have a single break for any reason all day. This meant I had no break to prepare my materials for my afternoon class. Worse, I now had classes for which were not previously scheduled for that day, so students showed up with no books, since many had left the books at home, thinking there would be no class.
In the few times I had a moment to speak to one of administration, I was not diplomatic in saying how horrid I thought this had been handled. Even worse in my book, we never received an explanation as to why the major schedule change was needed, nor received any reason why they couldn't wait even 24 hours to let teachers have a chance to adjust.
Grrr!
On a quasi-plus side, I've agreed with Blue Hill College here in Guayaquil to teach some history classes. I'll be teaching an American History, 1945-Present Class starting on May 5. Of course, I still am teaching a full spread of classes in the day, PLUS tutoring a group of pilots for their English Certification Test. PLUS I am still finishing off the first stage of a teaching certification program through a distance learning program.
No stress here.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
School is on!
My blogging has cut back, because classes are going and I am stumbling, rumbling and bumbling about staying ahead of my new crop of students. It is always fun to start a new year. Last year wasn´t so fun because I came in as an emergency hire in the middle of school, which is WAY stressful for the teacher and the students. Now we are all getting off on a more relaxed foot and everything is great.
Of course, I still don´t understand the Ecuadorian penchant for starting things when you have to stop them. Last week, the first week, started on Wednesday so it was a short week. This week ends today, on Wednesday, because tomorrow starts the big fiesta of Semana Santa, so another really short week.
Next week is normal, sort of, since Monday is Dia del Maestro (Day of the Teacher) so the students have a half day and faculty has a special lunch after the students go? We won´t have our first full week of classes until our 4th week of school. It is a hard life, but I have to do it!
Of course, I still don´t understand the Ecuadorian penchant for starting things when you have to stop them. Last week, the first week, started on Wednesday so it was a short week. This week ends today, on Wednesday, because tomorrow starts the big fiesta of Semana Santa, so another really short week.
Next week is normal, sort of, since Monday is Dia del Maestro (Day of the Teacher) so the students have a half day and faculty has a special lunch after the students go? We won´t have our first full week of classes until our 4th week of school. It is a hard life, but I have to do it!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
1st Day!
Hurray! First Day is here and a whole year of hopes and dreams are ready.
One of my students, Santiago Franco, says a few opening remarks to the assembled Colegio Americano.
The first official act for 1st Period is a "momento civico" - a school Assembly outside in the central plaza of the school. this is a photo of the 4th and 3rd Courses (the equivalent of 10th and 9th Grades in the US).
Of course, it all starts as faculty and staff arrive and "clock-in."
So it is April 1, 2009, and a new school year has officially started! More pictures and more stories to come!
One of my students, Santiago Franco, says a few opening remarks to the assembled Colegio Americano.
The first official act for 1st Period is a "momento civico" - a school Assembly outside in the central plaza of the school. this is a photo of the 4th and 3rd Courses (the equivalent of 10th and 9th Grades in the US).
Of course, it all starts as faculty and staff arrive and "clock-in."
So it is April 1, 2009, and a new school year has officially started! More pictures and more stories to come!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
International vs International
There is International Teaching, and then there is international teaching. Today has been a solid lesson in the difference between the two.
A quick explanation - for decades international teaching primarily meant teaching in a school that had mostly Native-English speaking teachers, teaching a Western (US or UK) type of curriculum to mostly international students of diplomatic families or business expatriates. In many ways it would be like teaching back home, including good support mechanisms.
In recent years there has been a vast expansion of local schools who are offering an English-language program to local students and hire a few foreign teachers to round out the language expertise and provide educational expertise not readily available through local teachers.
Lisa teaches in an INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL. I teach in an international school. That's not bad, per se, but it is vastly different.
For example, we are back from vacation break and are preparing for students to return this week. I was never sent a contact to tell me a schedule for first week activities, transportation, when I should be there, nothing. I ended up calling the HR office to find out when the expresso would pick me up.
On Monday we were first told there would be a meeting at 8:30, then it was pushed back to 11:00. We were told the next few days we would have some workshops, but no schedule was put out. We were told we needed to write up our syllabus for our classes and have them in by Friday, but we didn't find out what the breakdown in classes/grade levels would be until today (Wednesday). We also didn't get out textbooks until today so we could see what we are supposed to be teaching. Today I sat through most of a 7-hour presentation on Special Education (in Spanish, not English for the foreign hires). A couple of new teachers we have are all bug-eyed. They had expected to simply be handed books, curriculum and syllabus and go for it. No such luck here.
Of course, that is part of the charm at teaching at a school like this. You aren't told what to teach, because frankly, the local educators really don't know what to teach. That's why they hired the foreign teacher. For a teacher who likes to teach their own way, with a minimal of school restrictions, this is paradise.
Of course, if you are in a position of needing a lot of direction and hand-holding, this type of a job is probably not for you.
Me, I love it. After the end of the day, I stood chatting with one of our new teachers, Wilhamena from Holland (who speaks 9 languages, 3 fluently), as we chatted about the day and watched a three foot iguana chow down on some leaves about ten feet from us. Can't get these experiences standing on the street in front of your school, I'd wager.
A quick explanation - for decades international teaching primarily meant teaching in a school that had mostly Native-English speaking teachers, teaching a Western (US or UK) type of curriculum to mostly international students of diplomatic families or business expatriates. In many ways it would be like teaching back home, including good support mechanisms.
In recent years there has been a vast expansion of local schools who are offering an English-language program to local students and hire a few foreign teachers to round out the language expertise and provide educational expertise not readily available through local teachers.
Lisa teaches in an INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL. I teach in an international school. That's not bad, per se, but it is vastly different.
For example, we are back from vacation break and are preparing for students to return this week. I was never sent a contact to tell me a schedule for first week activities, transportation, when I should be there, nothing. I ended up calling the HR office to find out when the expresso would pick me up.
On Monday we were first told there would be a meeting at 8:30, then it was pushed back to 11:00. We were told the next few days we would have some workshops, but no schedule was put out. We were told we needed to write up our syllabus for our classes and have them in by Friday, but we didn't find out what the breakdown in classes/grade levels would be until today (Wednesday). We also didn't get out textbooks until today so we could see what we are supposed to be teaching. Today I sat through most of a 7-hour presentation on Special Education (in Spanish, not English for the foreign hires). A couple of new teachers we have are all bug-eyed. They had expected to simply be handed books, curriculum and syllabus and go for it. No such luck here.
Of course, that is part of the charm at teaching at a school like this. You aren't told what to teach, because frankly, the local educators really don't know what to teach. That's why they hired the foreign teacher. For a teacher who likes to teach their own way, with a minimal of school restrictions, this is paradise.
Of course, if you are in a position of needing a lot of direction and hand-holding, this type of a job is probably not for you.
Me, I love it. After the end of the day, I stood chatting with one of our new teachers, Wilhamena from Holland (who speaks 9 languages, 3 fluently), as we chatted about the day and watched a three foot iguana chow down on some leaves about ten feet from us. Can't get these experiences standing on the street in front of your school, I'd wager.
Monday, March 23, 2009
D-Day
Sorry - I had to use D-Day as the headline here. I have substituted for my wife's English Lit classes a time or two and the students know me for a history geek. Late last week they asked my wife to ask me what the "D" in "D-day" actually means. I should have said "look it up" but I couldn't resist.
Anyway, today is my back-to-school day. Teachers back and who knows what wonderful, professionally fulfilling meetings I will have over the next ten days (please note, that WAS sarcasm there). I know we have to do them, but it still makes for some long boring days I'd rather spend preparing my classroom.
Anyway, Lisa is off to school, and I have a few more minutes to shower and wait for my bus to get here (we do have to get to school an hour later this week, so that is something). So ta-ta and I'll blog you later.
Anyway, today is my back-to-school day. Teachers back and who knows what wonderful, professionally fulfilling meetings I will have over the next ten days (please note, that WAS sarcasm there). I know we have to do them, but it still makes for some long boring days I'd rather spend preparing my classroom.
Anyway, Lisa is off to school, and I have a few more minutes to shower and wait for my bus to get here (we do have to get to school an hour later this week, so that is something). So ta-ta and I'll blog you later.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Last meal before...
Yes, it is my last night of freedom before it is back to school. Actually, I am looking forward to it. I have a collection of great students for another year, and it always is a good thing to make new starts.
Of course, my first week at school will be a little odd. All the math and science and English teachers have their own thing going. Yet I teach Business and Marketing, so even in a school of 1600 students, my department consists of the department head (who teaches accounting and office procedures)and another teacher who teaches economics and a little marketing. I'm not sure the rest really know what I do.
Any way, I have far more boxes of stuff to take the school in only one trip, so I am organizing it to bring what I need first (office supplies, planners and the like) then bring my books and posters and whatever else over the next few days.
Of course, my first week at school will be a little odd. All the math and science and English teachers have their own thing going. Yet I teach Business and Marketing, so even in a school of 1600 students, my department consists of the department head (who teaches accounting and office procedures)and another teacher who teaches economics and a little marketing. I'm not sure the rest really know what I do.
Any way, I have far more boxes of stuff to take the school in only one trip, so I am organizing it to bring what I need first (office supplies, planners and the like) then bring my books and posters and whatever else over the next few days.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Internet Scam Alert
ALERT * ALERT * ALERT
Here is another Internet Scam that preys on hopeful job seekers looking for an overseas teachers jobs.
It runs off several names :
jobs4teachers.com
GlobalESLJobs.com
PaidTEFLJobs.com (recently shut down by hosting company for fraudulent conduct)
is run by a guy supposedly named Harry Graber, who is supposedly working out of Germany, but in reality the IP addresses of the Internet Sites end up originating in either Nigeria or the Dominican Republic (bad news in itself). They offer a 24-hour customer assistance line.
They advertise high paying jobs with fantastic benefits. You are directed to fill in an application on line, then within 48 hours you receive an email such as this:
Dear Lisa:
Your application has been approved as of today. We checked all relevant
details in your application and everything looks fine with the information
you have provided. You definitely qualify for our Teacher Recruitment
Process. In less than ten minutes you could take the steps to changing
your life. Our recruitment process aims to ensure that the right teacher
reaches the right place.
Your Application has already been reviewed by some of our registered
employers and one school in particular is eager to get to know you right
away. This school is located in Paris, France - Reference number 5622.
Please find more information in the job list on our website.
The Job Placement Package includes:
-a guaranteed paid teaching job in a country of your choice.
Jobs4Teachers is associated with by far more than 600 reputable
Schools in 32 countries worldwide.
-Visa Processing and work permit. Our dedicated visa processing
team will walk you through this process every step of the way.
-Airport Pick-up and settling down. A Jobs4Teachers representative
will pick you up at the airport and help you to get settled into your life
as an English teacher.
Simply click the link below to follow up with the Placement Process:
http://www.jobs4teachers.org/teacherplacement/fee/index.php
You will be guided step by step through the entire process.
Sincerely Yours,
Gloria Weinberg
Teacher Support
Jobs4Teacher Support Team
Email: support@jobs4teachers.org
Web: http://www.jobs4teachers.org
Fax/Phone: +49-0-3221-1272059
Alte Landstrasse, Frankfurt, Germany
Copyright © 2002-2008 by Jobs4Teachers – Global job market for Teachers
When you contact them, you are told one school wants to interview you, but you need to forward a $45-$100 "application fee" before they can connect you with the school for the interview.
When you pay the fee, for some reason the "access code" for the interview doesn't work, and it continuously gets rescheduled, until you are requested to pay a higher fee, etc.
Remember, almost any Internet site that asks you to pay a "membership fee" or "application fee" to get an interview is a scam. Recruitment agencies get paid big fees FROM THE SCHOOLS to find good candidates.
Here is another Internet Scam that preys on hopeful job seekers looking for an overseas teachers jobs.
It runs off several names :
jobs4teachers.com
GlobalESLJobs.com
PaidTEFLJobs.com (recently shut down by hosting company for fraudulent conduct)
is run by a guy supposedly named Harry Graber, who is supposedly working out of Germany, but in reality the IP addresses of the Internet Sites end up originating in either Nigeria or the Dominican Republic (bad news in itself). They offer a 24-hour customer assistance line.
They advertise high paying jobs with fantastic benefits. You are directed to fill in an application on line, then within 48 hours you receive an email such as this:
Dear Lisa:
Your application has been approved as of today. We checked all relevant
details in your application and everything looks fine with the information
you have provided. You definitely qualify for our Teacher Recruitment
Process. In less than ten minutes you could take the steps to changing
your life. Our recruitment process aims to ensure that the right teacher
reaches the right place.
Your Application has already been reviewed by some of our registered
employers and one school in particular is eager to get to know you right
away. This school is located in Paris, France - Reference number 5622.
Please find more information in the job list on our website.
The Job Placement Package includes:
-a guaranteed paid teaching job in a country of your choice.
Jobs4Teachers is associated with by far more than 600 reputable
Schools in 32 countries worldwide.
-Visa Processing and work permit. Our dedicated visa processing
team will walk you through this process every step of the way.
-Airport Pick-up and settling down. A Jobs4Teachers representative
will pick you up at the airport and help you to get settled into your life
as an English teacher.
Simply click the link below to follow up with the Placement Process:
http://www.jobs4teachers.org/teacherplacement/fee/index.php
You will be guided step by step through the entire process.
Sincerely Yours,
Gloria Weinberg
Teacher Support
Jobs4Teacher Support Team
Email: support@jobs4teachers.org
Web: http://www.jobs4teachers.org
Fax/Phone: +49-0-3221-1272059
Alte Landstrasse, Frankfurt, Germany
Copyright © 2002-2008 by Jobs4Teachers – Global job market for Teachers
When you contact them, you are told one school wants to interview you, but you need to forward a $45-$100 "application fee" before they can connect you with the school for the interview.
When you pay the fee, for some reason the "access code" for the interview doesn't work, and it continuously gets rescheduled, until you are requested to pay a higher fee, etc.
Remember, almost any Internet site that asks you to pay a "membership fee" or "application fee" to get an interview is a scam. Recruitment agencies get paid big fees FROM THE SCHOOLS to find good candidates.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Sick Day
Oof - some crud is running around teaching circles. It hit Lisa last week and it has hit me hard today. I feel horrible. Doesn't it figure that I get sick the last few days of my vacation?
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Gift Bag
There are students, and then there are students. Opened the front door this morning for Lisa to catch the morning expreso to her school. There was a little gift-bag type of thing sitting on the front porch. What is this? Inside is a bunch of papers and a note.
"Ms Evans, it is 10:45 at night. Sorry for the late hour but I wanted to turn these journals to you. I could not find your doorbell. The papers are in the bag. Sorry for the late hour."
Evidently Lisa told her classes that if they had late assignments turned in by yesterday, she would be able to grade them before grades had to be posted for report cards on Wednesday. Anything turned in today wasn't guaranteed to be graded in time. Of course, my question would be if credit can be given for an assignment turned into the teacher's home at 10:45 pm and still be counted "on time."
My opinion can not be expressed on a public board.
"Ms Evans, it is 10:45 at night. Sorry for the late hour but I wanted to turn these journals to you. I could not find your doorbell. The papers are in the bag. Sorry for the late hour."
Evidently Lisa told her classes that if they had late assignments turned in by yesterday, she would be able to grade them before grades had to be posted for report cards on Wednesday. Anything turned in today wasn't guaranteed to be graded in time. Of course, my question would be if credit can be given for an assignment turned into the teacher's home at 10:45 pm and still be counted "on time."
My opinion can not be expressed on a public board.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Meeting to Where?
Just had one of those fun get-togethers I love. Three young pilots who are hoping to get some advanced certification to be able to do international flights. They need to pass the English certification test. When in doubt, they are told to come see me, since I practically wrote the test here (actually, parts of it I did write).
Anyway, these meetings all go the same way. They explain what they need, a talk to them a little bit to get a feel for their English level. Then I tell them what it will cost. They say they want to do it, but don't pay. "We have to talk about the money" they say. This sometimes means they simply need to hit up relatives for it. Other times it means that there is no way in hell they can afford my fee and I never hear from them again.
So tentatively we start classes together on Monday, which just happens to be my first day back at Colegio Americano, which means that if it comes off I will be a very busy boy for a few weeks.
Anyway, these meetings all go the same way. They explain what they need, a talk to them a little bit to get a feel for their English level. Then I tell them what it will cost. They say they want to do it, but don't pay. "We have to talk about the money" they say. This sometimes means they simply need to hit up relatives for it. Other times it means that there is no way in hell they can afford my fee and I never hear from them again.
So tentatively we start classes together on Monday, which just happens to be my first day back at Colegio Americano, which means that if it comes off I will be a very busy boy for a few weeks.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Barefoot Gringo
What fun. Lisa doesn't like to grade at home, because there are generally too many distractions for her to concentrate. So she heads out and asks me to check on our parakeet we keep on the front porch. No problem. She heads off and I see the bird's perch is askew. I spend some time straightening it, doing feed, and making the little girl comfortable. Then I turn to go in and see the front door is locked closed.
I am in my shorts, no shirt, no shoes, no keys, no cell. Lisa has just gone off to spend several hours grading.
Oh joy.
Nothing to it but to walk barefooted across the sizzling pavement (the equatorial sun is just blazing today) for three blocks, cross the main street of Victor Emilio Estrada to the little shopping center where Lisa normally goes to grade. First little restaurant, not there. I see her at the second place, through the window, but the guard at the door is not going to let a bare-footed, bare-chested guy come waltzing into the place. but I call out and Lisa hears me. She quickly sizes the situation up. She has a massive grin and says joyfully "I bet I know what happened!" as she dangles her keys in front of me.
So much fun, living in Ecuador, don't you think?
I am in my shorts, no shirt, no shoes, no keys, no cell. Lisa has just gone off to spend several hours grading.
Oh joy.
Nothing to it but to walk barefooted across the sizzling pavement (the equatorial sun is just blazing today) for three blocks, cross the main street of Victor Emilio Estrada to the little shopping center where Lisa normally goes to grade. First little restaurant, not there. I see her at the second place, through the window, but the guard at the door is not going to let a bare-footed, bare-chested guy come waltzing into the place. but I call out and Lisa hears me. She quickly sizes the situation up. She has a massive grin and says joyfully "I bet I know what happened!" as she dangles her keys in front of me.
So much fun, living in Ecuador, don't you think?
Saturday, March 14, 2009
American School of Guayaquil
At the suggestion of a few of my friends, I am going to start posting some reviews of international schools around the globe. I’ll start with the school where I currently teach.
Colegio Americano de Guayaquil
This picture is some international teachers at Colegio Americano, circa 2008
General Description:
The American School of Guayaquil is a K-12, bilingual IB school with 1500 students. It is located in the city of Guayaquil (Pacific Ocean port), Ecuador. It follows the IBO World School program. The campus itself is a lush spread of acreage, widely shaded by trees, and populated by several dozen large, fierce looking iguanas (don’t worry, they are vegetarians)! It is run by its own school board, and actually has numerous activities. It has a separately operated Pre-K facility, Primary School, Secondary School, and it’s own Blue Hill College, essentially a small, private business college that holds night classes on campus and that works in concert with several international universities.
The facilities are a bit of a dichotomy. The primary school, Pre-K to 6th Course (the equivalent of 6th Grade in the US) is housed in modern buildings with excellent facilities (the picture above was taken in the Primary School area). The secondary school, Courses 1st-6th (equivalent of 7th-12th Grade US) are in much older buildings. Classrooms are fairly spare. While there are five large computer labs and a well-stocked library, there are no computers in classrooms. There is free WiFi that covers most of the campus and there are three computers in the teacher’s lounge for use, so technologically Colegio Americano lags many upper international schools in this regard.
Academics:
Academics are in Spanish and English, depending on the program the students are in and the nationality/ability of the teacher. The school follows a broad IBO International Baccalaureate degree program for all secondary students, with international degrees available for English Literature, Social Studies, History, Accounting, Economics, Business Studies, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Geography and others. Classes generally range in size from 25-35 students.
There are lots of extracurricular events, and teachers are expected to work several evening and Saturday functions without extra pay.
Students:
Students are generally from upper middle-class to upper class families. Most (about 97% are Ecuadorian with a few from other countries (Canada, South Korea and China, mostly).
Teachers:
Salaries for international hire teachers start at $16,000-$20,000/year depending on area of expertise and experience. The highest salaries tend to go to English Literature teachers. The salary is very high compared to what locals make, but it depends on how you live. Imported products are extremely high, but if you live mainly on local economy it is very cheap. Teachers can save about $700/month of their salary quite easily, $1000 or more if they are at the upper end of the pay scale or are a teaching couple.
Benefits include most of the standard items you expect for international schools including annual flights to home of record, 400$/Month housing allowance, assistance in finding housing, international health insurance (Clements), annual round-trip transportation, $450 excess baggage allowance, international courier service for letters, Spanish lessons (40 hours, basic Spanish), 3 staff polo shirts (optional).
Qualifications: Bachelor's, teaching certificate, appropriate experience and bi-cultural adaptability. Colegio Americano is not accredited under any international, US, UK or Canadian organizations, so they do sometimes consider uncertified teachers who have some teaching experience. You don’t need any Spanish, but a little helps. Being fairly competent in conversational Spanish is a huge help.
Guayaquil:
Guayaquil tends to be a love it/hate it type of place. It is Ecuador’s major port city, so it is heavily business oriented. At around 2 million people, it is also much larger than many think when they sign on. There are numerous Western-style Malls and a plethora of chain stores and restaurants like Pizza Hut, McDonald's, Burger King, Victoria’s Secret and many others. Right next to them might be a little hole-in-the-wall café that serves almuerzo (lunch) of soup, meat, vegetable, rice and a fruit juice for around $1.50 a person or less.
Gualaquil by itself has limited attractions. The shore-side Malecon 2000 is the main feature of the city, having 2.6 kilometers along the main estuary of shops, gardens, museums and Imax theaters. There are a wide range of concerts and special events that follow a typical latino taste. However one of the best parts of Guayaquil is its location. It is a short bus ride to the Pacific beaches of Las Playas, Salinas, and Ecuador’s famed Ruta del Sol. It is the main departure point to fly to the Galapagos Islands and it is conveniently placed to use as a springboard for trips to the Amazon Rain forest (Oriente) or the old Spanish Colonial cities of the Andes, Cuenca and Riobamba.
Like much of South America the police are largely corrupt and ineffective, and like most large cities there are a fairly large amount of property crimes against tourists and foreigners. However, if you are security conscious and aware you should have little problem. As an example, I have been in Ecuador three years and have never been the victim of a crime. Of course, I am a very big guy who keeps an eye on things. My wife, who is not nearly as aware as I am, has been pick pocketed three times during the same time.
Overall, Colegio Americano is a good place to cut your teeth in international teaching, or to use as a springboard to travel throughout South America.
Big Judge
A picture came back from the recent Senior Project event at InterAmerican Academy. This was taken while the three judges on my board were listening to the presentation of one of the applicants for Honors. I am the massive gringo on the right. Next to me in the background is Victoria Gallegos, a member of the school board. On the left is Dr. Piadad Saloman, the school medic.
The presentations were wonderful. One student described her several weeks of volunteering at a children's hospital emergency room - including one doctor having her put in stitches on a child's lacerated arm (?!?!?!?!?!) Another designed and made her own clothing line. A third went through the experience of putting a modeling portfolio together. Excellent projects and wonderful presentations.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Substituting
Lisa woke up sick today. In fact, when she called in she found that seven faculty members were out sick. So I got drug out of my bed early to sub for Lisa's classes. Hey! I'm supposed to be on vacation!
So I am now at InterAmerican Academy on a prep period doing a quick blog update. I teach five English Literature classes today, which is a nice change of pace from the Business and Social Studies I do. It is always fun to me to brush the dust off some old classics and discuss them with students. Right now, Lisa's classes are covering the following books (in class period order):
10th Grade - "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers
11th Grade - "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne
12 Grade AP English - "One day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" by Alexander Solzhenitsyn
8th Grade - "Hiroshima"
9th Grade - "Red Badge of Courage" by Stephen Crane
So fun teaching, but I had to get up sooooo early today!
So I am now at InterAmerican Academy on a prep period doing a quick blog update. I teach five English Literature classes today, which is a nice change of pace from the Business and Social Studies I do. It is always fun to me to brush the dust off some old classics and discuss them with students. Right now, Lisa's classes are covering the following books (in class period order):
10th Grade - "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers
11th Grade - "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne
12 Grade AP English - "One day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" by Alexander Solzhenitsyn
8th Grade - "Hiroshima"
9th Grade - "Red Badge of Courage" by Stephen Crane
So fun teaching, but I had to get up sooooo early today!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Robot Teacher for Japan
As if teachers are worried about their jobs enough as it is, now we have to beware of technology. It seems that a Japanese inventor has designed a robot to teach in Japanese Primary schools. Named Saha, the robot can take role, give lessons from a prepared text, even shows emotion. Of course, I am wondering how the robot will do answering questions like "Why does Johnny stand up when he goes pee" and chasing after young students who don't understand what they are supposed to do. See the full story about Saha, the robot teacher from Japan, here.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Racism in China - International Teaching
Just felt I had to share this as an example of where the world is despite all mankind has gone through. I am an international teacher and I am in the season of checking out overseas teaching positions to see if there is one I want to land in. My wife and I have been considering Asia for our next adventure.
I researched my way around to the largest teacher job site for China and nosed around. Over 2,700 positions available for foreign teachers. All right! Looks good. I opened up a number of listings and was astonished to see the same thing listed on each job posting as part of the minimum qualifications:
Whites only.
I checked to see if it was something I was misinterpreting and it turns out I wasn't. If you are Black, Creole or anything other than lilly-white English speaker the People's Republic of China does not want you teaching their children.
I know there is racism in America. We still have a long ways to go to be the society we ought to be. But I live and work in the Third World, and there is a constant reminder of how good we really have it in America.
I researched my way around to the largest teacher job site for China and nosed around. Over 2,700 positions available for foreign teachers. All right! Looks good. I opened up a number of listings and was astonished to see the same thing listed on each job posting as part of the minimum qualifications:
Whites only.
I checked to see if it was something I was misinterpreting and it turns out I wasn't. If you are Black, Creole or anything other than lilly-white English speaker the People's Republic of China does not want you teaching their children.
I know there is racism in America. We still have a long ways to go to be the society we ought to be. But I live and work in the Third World, and there is a constant reminder of how good we really have it in America.
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