When I first decided to do this, I knew I needed a game plan. I'm starting to feel a little overwhelmed with all the things I need to do. Its not that any of them are incredibly difficult, it is just a little intimidating. Believe it or not, jobs for the 11-12 school year become available beginning in October. Soooo, since it is now September, I figure it is time to get the ball rolling.
Here is what i have to do:
Step 1: Do things to make you more marketable: make a website with your info, video recordings etc. and start researching all the schools you would be willing to go to. My website is almost done and Ive been searching the international school review website like crazy!!!
Step 2: Register - Believe it or not there are agencies that recruit teachers for American schools abroad. I have to register with these agencies in order to be a prospective candidate.
Step 3: Job Fair - Once you are accepted as a candidate, you attend a job fair where they do a series of interviews and possibly offer you a contract. Possibly, you can also walk away with nothing.
Ive decided to register first with AASSA (Association of American Schools in South America). They have a job fair in Atlanta in December. For those of you who are questioning South America. I sure hope you don't think I'm stupid enough to go to some drug-cartel country with crime problems. I'm looking to go to a larger city like Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, or Rio de Janeiro. If I'm not accepted or nothing turns up at the job fair, then I will probably sign up with Search Associates as well as search individual schools online and interview via Skype.
I'm not sure how this will all turn out but it is amazing how quickly it is going. I mean, in July when I made this decision, September seemed soooo far away. Now I am thinking that I am running out of time...
