Inside the staffroom
SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO? TIPS ON
PLANNING YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE.
BY CHASSIE SELOUANE
T
he start of a new school year
was not typically the time
when teachers planned their
next adventure but things
are changing. A new school year is
increasingly becoming the time when
teachers reflect and think not only
about their classes for the upcoming
school year, but also their personal
futures as well. Have you been restless,
itching for a change? Have you been
feeling complacent and unchallenged
recently? If so, it might be time for a
new adventure. Often as teachers we
like to stick with the familiar, but there
comes a time when the realization hits
us and we realize that boredom or lack
of challenge in our professional career
can affect our performance as well as
our students’ performance.
Most teachers working in international
schools are on fixed term contracts,
these vary in length from one year
to three years renewable. Schools
are now beginning their recruitment
processes earlier and earlier each
year. You may begin to see adverts for
jobs in the next school year from as
early as October of the current school
year. If you are in any way feeling the
need for a change, or you have the
desire to explore new opportunities,
the beginning of the school year is
the perfect time to start planning
your next move. Here are a few tips
to help you to begin casting your net
in order to land your next professional
challenge.
1. Make a list of your pros and cons
for staying and going. This is
the first way to explore your next
move. Write down all the reasons
for a change. No reason is too silly,
put it all on the list. Be honest with
yourself.
2. Review your list. This can help
you make your decision. Are you
serious about looking for a new job
and if so, what positions would you
be interested in exploring. Maybe it
is time to move out of the classroom
and into administration.
3. Update your CV & Teaching
Philosophy. Updating your CV is
an important step. Take time with
the revision and make it relevant to
guarantees your CV will be seen.
There are agencies that charge but
the choice to pay the recruitment
fees is entirely up to you. There are
cost efficient ways of job search
available as well. Most recruiters
charge the school and not the
applicant. You can also search for
specific schools in your preferred
location and visit the school’s
website to apply directly.
your newly determined goals. This
is your first impression with future
employers. Be sure to make it a
great impression.
4. Where do you want to work?
Location is everything! If you are
feeling unsatisfied at your current
school, research possible locations
that would suit you or your family
better. Start searching for job
opportunities in your desired
location. Think about language,
travel, quality and availability of
good healthcare and safety when
choosing a potential new home. You
should also take into consideration
income versus saving potential for
the location you have chosen. Often
countries with lower cost of living
pay less, but the income saving
potential, could be much higher.
5. Research
and
Registration.
Registration
with
Recruitment
agencies can be time consuming,
but often the top tier schools
use specific agencies, which
6. Work your Networks! Social
Media- Linkedin and Twitter can be
used for networking, job hunting
and professional development.
These accounts are quite useful
in job search, and can often be
more powerful than paid agency
memberships.
It is easy to sink into complacency
and feel trapped, but if you feel it is
time to move on to a new adventure,
don’t ignore those feelings or discount
them. Remember to take care of you
and best of luck in planning your next
adventure in education.
Chassie Selouane has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre & Education, a Master’s of
Education Degree- Curriculum Instruction with a Specialization in ESL Education,
a PMC in ESL Education, a PMC in Instructional Leadership & is a dual candidate
for a PHD in ESL and PHD in Instructional Leadership. Chassie is an Edmodo
Ambassador & Certified Edmodo Trainer. She serves as the GCC ASCD UAE
Ambassador. Chassie is the founding Director of Learning at Rising School Dubai.
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