That is AWESOME!!!
Seriously, there is nothing better for $, benefits, job
security etc. It also solves the problem of you not being
finished yet. I always tell my husband if I could go to DODDS
in Japan and have the base amenities and the culture outside
the gate, I would never leave!

Definately tell me how it works out!

On 2/19/09, Debbie wrote:
> Well, my husband got an interview for DoDDS at their job
> fair in March. I am hoping this will be it. What do you
> think?
>
>
>
> On 2/18/09, lisa wrote:
>> Sorry PI is Philipines. Brent schools are there,
>> Manila, Subic and maybe
>> another. There are a lot of schools in Japan too.
>>
>> On 2/18/09, DEbbie wrote:
>>> What is PI? Sorry, I have brain freeze. :) Brent
>>> schools are in Japan? I am lost.
>>>
>>>
>>> On 2/17/09, Lisa wrote:
>>>>
>>>> About the heritage thing, the weird thing is that i
>>>> didn't hear slurs. some political stuff that was
>>>> parroted, but no big deal. what was
>>> weird
>>>> was that the average person we had contact with
>>>> didn't care, but the ministry had its rules about
>>>> content and books. It only took one parent to
>>>> complain to make something a big deal. Lots of
>>>> stuff was banned the kids just figured out what it
>>>> was and ordered it on Amazon.or. "What is
>>>> _______?" "Sorry it is illegal for me to
>>>> tell you." "Ok I'll look it up later at
>>>> home."
>>>>
>>>> Check out international schools in Japan or PI.
>>>> Brent schools are supposed to be good. Brent Subic
>>>> (there is more than one) is on the old navy base.
>>>> There are lots of great adventures out there. I'm
>>>> excited for you. L.
>>>>
>>>> On 2/17/09, Debbie wrote:
>>>>> It is a computer that pulls your name for DoDDS?
>>>>> Are you serious? So it is just random. Well that
>>>>> would make sense for people who have been waiting
>>>>> years. I wonder what the criteria is for the
>>>>> computer. That really sucks!!
>>>>>
>>>>> I could keep my heritage a secret. What would
>>>>> probably bother me, would be the slurs. My
>>>>> husband does not want to live in a place where he
>>>>> cannot have all of us. Rightfully, so!! :) So,
>>>>> Bahrain would be out of the question. We are
>>>>> hoping to go to Okinawa. I have heard so many
>>>>> great things about it. It is pretty far away, and
>>>>> I know I would be homesick, but I could get over
>>>>> that as long as we are all together.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On 2/17/09, Lisa wrote:
>>>>>> Hi, I agree I had friends that worked in Israel
>>>>>> and they loved it but they had to follow the
>>>>>> security rules from the embassy and ended up
>>>>>> locked down in their apt a lot. This was
>>>>>> several years ago. Pakistan is really cool, but
>>>>>> it is poor too so is Bangladesh. Security is a
>>>>>> worry too at times. Gulf is very safe, but you
>>>>>> would have to not let on about your heritage
>>>>>> and the censorship is stupid and would get on
>>>>>> your nerves. I think I haven't been selected by
>>>>>> DODDS for several reasons, base closures and
>>>>>> transfers take priority, This summer there were
>>>>>> 100 teachers displaced and waiting. There is no
>>>>>> retirement age and people hold on. Also many of
>>>>>> the bases are going to 6 month deployments
>>>>>> without dependents. From my aunt, I heard
>>>>>> Livorno in Italy has lost 1/2 its kids. I
>>>>>> doesn't help that it is a computer pulling
>>>>>> names. in July I was notified of a job in
>>>>>> Bahrain but it was without dependants. I have a
>>>>>> husband and 2 kids. My degree doesn't line up
>>>>>> exactly with my certification and what I want
>>>>>> to teach and I don't think that the computer
>>>>>> can sort through all of it. I keep updating my
>>>>>> file, but once I heard about the bases slowing
>>>>>> family deployments I am more doubtful than
>>>>>> ever. They also wanted a ton of expereince when
>>>>>> I first signed up.. I don't know the
>>>>>> requirements now. One great thing about them is
>>>>>> that they ahve thier own system for teaching
>>>>>> certificates, so once you are in you maintain
>>>>>> with them and don't have to jump through the
>>>>>> hoops set my state. We both have been teaching
>>>>>> Elem for years and love it, but originally we
>>>>>> were HS people.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 2/16/09, Debbie wrote:
>>>>>>> That is pretty helpful. I would not consider
>>>>>>> Israel and I am Jewish ( my husband is not).
>>>>>>> Scares me too much as well. I too do not know
>>>>>>> if I could handle the poverty in India. I
>>>>>>> would be willing to go to China as would my
>>>>>>> husband. I could consider Pakistan as we have
>>>>>>> very wealthy friends who live there. They
>>>>>>> went to school with my brothers here in the
>>>>>>> States.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Why do you think you have not yet been
>>>>>>> selected to work for DoDDS? What subjects do
>>>>>>> you and your husband teach? It may be on
>>>>>>> another posting of yours, but I cannot
>>>>>>> remember.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On 2/15/09, Lisa wrote:
>>>>>>>> Hi, i totally understand! My kids are now
>>>>>>>> jsut old enough that I have to worry about
>>>>>>>> school from their perspective besides just
>>>>>>>> friends, soon enough I will see if they are
>>>>>>>> into sports..... I'm glad that I just don't
>>>>>>>> have to worry so much now about bills. It
>>>>>>>> takes a lot of weight off. They best place
>>>>>>>> is hard..... As for the Middle East safety
>>>>>>>> is not a problem, REALLY.I was there in
>>>>>>>> 2001 and it was really ok. DOn't believe
>>>>>>>> TV. I probably would be nervous to go to
>>>>>>>> Israel to work more than any others. Some
>>>>>>>> of the for profit schools are not that
>>>>>>>> great and there is not a lot do. Dubai has
>>>>>>>> a lot to do but can be expensive. I
>>>>>>>> wouldn't go to Pakistan right now, but I
>>>>>>>> would go to India or Bangladesh if I
>>>>>>>> thought I could do the poverty. North
>>>>>>>> Africa ok, Sub Saharan too much day to day
>>>>>>>> violence for me- car jacking, house
>>>>>>>> invasion. China is polluted, but you can
>>>>>>>> make a lot of money. Beijing, Shanghai have
>>>>>>>> some excellent school. Manila does too.
>>>>>>>> Latin America, Peru has a good reputation.
>>>>>>>> haven't heard too much about making money
>>>>>>>> though. THere are great school everywhere,
>>>>>>>> and some crappy places to work you sort of
>>>>>>>> have to research as
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> jobs come up. It is better to work at a
>>>>>>>> school that is International and not a
>>>>>>>> school for rich local kids. it is better to
>>>>>>>> work for a non profit. Surf the web and
>>>>>>>> see. L. On 2/15/09, Debbie wrote:
>>>>>>>>> Better late than never, right? Ok, so
>>>>>>>>> where is the best place to live as well
>>>>>>>>> as the safest place. If we were to go the
>>>>>>>>> Middle East, where she we go....I want a
>>>>>>>>> really good school system not only for
>>>>>>>>> us, but for our children. It would be
>>>>>>>>> wonderful to be debt-free and to be able
>>>>>>>>> to live a comfortable life for a change.
>>>>>>>>> We are so tired of the struggling. We are
>>>>>>>>> not looking to be wealthy, just
>>>>>>>>> comfortable. Be able to pay the bills and
>>>>>>>>> have left over to enjoy and also to put
>>>>>>>>> away for retirement and college for the
>>>>>>>>> kids.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On 2/15/09, Lisa wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> Good Morning! Well maybe my post is
>>>>>>>>>> going the long way around. I'm too ling
>>>>>>>>>> winded anyway ;-) Basically, I think
>>>>>>>>>> you should go for it and see what
>>>>>>>>>> happens. Tieonline and QSI might be
>>>>>>>>>> your best bets. You could
>>>>>>>>> probably
>>>>>>>>>> just about finish the classes, if
>>>>>>>>>> required, by late Aug. Expereince may
>>>>>>>>>> hold you back and may not, so much is
>>>>>>>>>> right place at right time.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Pay scales vary widely. It can be
>>>>>>>>>> unintentionally misleading. Salaries
>>>>>>>>>> range from 15k (no kidding) to 55+K.
>>>>>>>>>> Some schools in awesome locations are
>>>>>>>>>> offering a partially subsidized working
>>>>>>>>>> holiday and others you can pay off all
>>>>>>>>>> your debt by xmas. You need to figure
>>>>>>>>>> out how much money you need to send to
>>>>>>>>>> the US to cover bills, storage, etc.
>>>>>>>>>> For many people that put lots of jobs
>>>>>>>>>> in Latin America and Western Europe out
>>>>>>>>>> of range in the beginning at least. As
>>>>>>>>>> a working couple with 2 kids we save 1
>>>>>>>>>> salary + depending on how much travel
>>>>>>>>>> we do xmas and spring break. we don't
>>>>>>>>>> go to the states for xmas. I couldn't
>>>>>>>>>> even get to disney land and taco bell
>>>>>>>>>> when i taught in the states now we
>>>>>>>>>> debate Cairo or Rome.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> The big question is WHAT CAN WE SAVE,
>>>>>>>>>> not what do you pay! Remember the
>>>>>>>>>> salary is tax free in the US and
>>>>>>>>>> overseas. You keep the gross and get
>>>>>>>>>> housing, insurance, tickets,
>>>>>>>>>> tuition,some shipping allowance and
>>>>>>>>>> maybe some utilities, for all 4 of you
>>>>>>>>>> if you are both working . If you pay
>>>>>>>>>> taxes like in Germany they will pay you
>>>>>>>>>> way more. Let me know how you are
>>>>>>>>>> doing.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> On 2/15/09, Lisa wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>> For some reason my answer didn't
>>>>>>>>>>> post!! Grrr. I think it went to some
>>>>>>>>>>> admin review place, whatever that
>>>>>>>>>>> means! If it doesn't show up my
>>>>>>>>>>> Monday, I will write again. L On
>>>>>>>>>>> 2/14/09, Debbie wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>> I spoke with my admissions person
>>>>>>>>>>>> yesterday. For me to complete my
>>>>>>>>>>>> French grades 7-12, I only need 4
>>>>>>>>>>>> more courses and will need to write
>>>>>>>>>>>> 2 state exams. I also wanted to add
>>>>>>>>>>>> Special Ed, so I am not sure how
>>>>>>>>>>>> many more courses I need. I did the
>>>>>>>>>>>> student teaching practicum in 1996
>>>>>>>>>>>> when I was pregnant with our first
>>>>>>>>>>>> daughter, so that is out of the
>>>>>>>>>>>> way.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> We would be willing to go this
>>>>>>>>>>>> September. There is nothing holding
>>>>>>>>>>>> us back at this time. Since, I am
>>>>>>>>>>>> unemployed right now, and he is
>>>>>>>>>>>> done in June with his long-term sub
>>>>>>>>>>>> assignment (unless they offer him
>>>>>>>>>>>> F/T), we are more than ready to go.
>>>>>>>>>>>> We do have a home here, but we are
>>>>>>>>>>>> willing to rent it out if need be.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> What is the pay scale going
>>>>>>>>>>>> overseas? By the time my husband is
>>>>>>>>>>>> finished, he will have 1 year of
>>>>>>>>>>>> teaching experience under his belt.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> On 2/14/09, Lisa wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>> DODDS will take people with
>>>>>>>>>>>>> dependents, no problem. If you
>>>>>>>>>>>>> are not quite certified it will
>>>>>>>>>>>>> be more difficult. Are you close
>>>>>>>>>>>>> to finishing? I think it is
>>>>>>>>>>>>> College of New Jersey has a
>>>>>>>>>>>>> program designed for people
>>>>>>>>>>>>> overseas, Some place in Michigan
>>>>>>>>>>>>> and also George Mason outside DC.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Some states will let you do a
>>>>>>>>>>>>> first year job in lieu of student
>>>>>>>>>>>>> teaching. Some int'l schools will
>>>>>>>>>>>>> hire you in that situation. The
>>>>>>>>>>>>> best school of course will hold
>>>>>>>>>>>>> out for the most expereince and
>>>>>>>>>>>>> education. However you can wait
>>>>>>>>>>>>> forever
>>>>>>>>>>>> to get
>>>>>>>>>>>>> into the perfect school IF you
>>>>>>>>>>>>> have no overseas experience. Once
>>>>>>>>>>>>> your foot is in the door it is a
>>>>>>>>>>>>> different recruiting experience.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> You will have a tough time to
>>>>>>>>>>>>> find a school that will take 3
>>>>>>>>>>>>> dependents because they provided
>>>>>>>>>>>>> housing, airfare, tuition and
>>>>>>>>>>>>> insurance.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> For overseas $$ is different. You
>>>>>>>>>>>>> of course need to consider how
>>>>>>>>>>>>> much you need to cover
>>>>>>>>>>>>> obligations at home, and what you
>>>>>>>>>>>>> need to save for retirement. Most
>>>>>>>>>>>>> schools don't pay into SSI, but
>>>>>>>>>>>>> you can if you are willing to pay
>>>>>>>>>>>>> your portion and the employer.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Your husband will not make
>>>>>>>>>>>>> $40,000 overseas, but he will get
>>>>>>>>>>>>> housing, some utilities, full
>>>>>>>>>>>>> insurance, private school
>>>>>>>>>>>>> tuition, probably no
>>>>>>>>>>>>> commute/freedom from having 2
>>>>>>>>>>>>> cars., no taxes! You must ask
>>>>>>>>>>>>> what you can save!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> The good news is that I'm hearing
>>>>>>>>>>>>> more and more that job fairs are
>>>>>>>>>>>>> out and tel. interviews are in!!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> What is your timeline to go
>>>>>>>>>>>>> overseas? Sept, or farther out? L
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 2/13/09, Debbie wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> My husband is the teacher and
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> my background is HR. Although,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I was looking at going back to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> school to finish my
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> certification which I started
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> from 1995-1996. I had to stop
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> as we had our first child and
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> then our second one 18 months
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> later. My husband teaches
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> science. We are pretty open to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> areas. He is currently earning
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> around 40k as a first year
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> teacher. He has a BS and 34 hrs
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> toward Masters. He has 2
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> courses left to finish to get
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> his Masters.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Let me know what other info you
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> need. Thanks for your help.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 2/13/09, Lisa wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hi, My aunt worked for DODDS
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> for 30+ years and I have
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> friends that have worked for
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> DODDS and for Int'l schools.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Nothing compares to DODDS!!!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you can get in go for it.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> My hsuband and I have been
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> trying to 9 years. It is
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> super hard to get in, even
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> for people with lots of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> expereince and suposed
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> connections. Luck I guess!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The schools don't compare but
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the search agencies for Int'l
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Schools are much easier to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> utilize and your chance of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> getting a job are 1000%
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> higher. DODDS are all
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> American kids, In't schools
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> aren't.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Until now there has been a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> teacher shortage overseas.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Over the last several years I
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> have been working with recent
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> graduates with no experience
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> so they do get hired. A
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> collegue last year, 22 and
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> straight out of college,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> broke her first teaching
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> contract (did 1 of 2 years)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and was hired for a new inl't
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> job for the next year by
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> phone interview. If she can,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> you can!!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What do you teach??? Your
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> kids will be no problem if
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> both of you teach. You
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> usually get 1 kid free per
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> teacher. All
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> benefits/flights/tuition.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I have never done ISS because
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> they wanted all these essays
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and when I first got started
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I didn't have the minimum #
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of years required to sign up.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I have only used Search
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Associates. Thier website has
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> some good links and info.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> They have a job fair in late
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> June after school gets out.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> They will be honest about
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> your chances. TIE online I
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> think is cheap or free and
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> many hires are interviewed on
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Skype. I know some people
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> that have been very happy
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> with QSI. qsi.org They have
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> an online application and are
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> all over the world in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> interesting places.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Some of your chance depends
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> on your flexibility for
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> location, type of school, and
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> salary requirements. Do you
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> need anything special for
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> your kids? Let me know if I
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> can help.L On 2/10/09, Debbie
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hi Lisa:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I have read several of your
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> posts and they have been
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> quite helpful. My husband
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> is a first year teacher
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> (2nd career) and is
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> currently a long-term sub.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> His certification is in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> science (Biology-grades
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 7-12), but has also been
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> teaching physical science.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> He applied to DoDDS and
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> DDESS and due to the budget
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> crisis, who knows if that
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> will even pan out. My
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> question is what is the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> likelihood if he were to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> apply through some of the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> other agencies you
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> mentioned that he would get
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> a job. We have 2 children
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> as well. I don't think he
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> will be able to go to the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> job fairs. I looked into
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ISS online, and have been a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> little apprehensive. How do
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> these agencies compare to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> DoDDS?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks for your help.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>
>>

Share This Post | Report This Post

Next Post >>

Posts on this thread, including this one