I am trying to determine how years of verifiable work experience translate to DODEA steps for pay? Does everyone start at Step 1? Even teachers with, say, 20 years experience? How do I figure out how much I might get paid, if I were to be selected to teach for DODEA?
My first impression was to email back and say 'sorry, already have a job for this year.' But I'm not sure that is the best course of action. I would like some seasoned advice. My situation;
I am an international teacher, teaching IB, though I have AP experience.
I am an experienced [old] teacher with a Masters in my subject area.
This is a big one: I have held a US teacher's license but it has expired. I have a current teacher's license from another English speaking country. I explained this in my cover, if they read it. (that may kill the deal right there).
I am happy at my new school. It is great so far but WAY off the beaten path. Pay, housing and resources are good, but travel is difficult and expensive. Its 3rd world, so limited conveniences.
My final career goal is to teach at a DoDEA school.
Questions:
Does the licensure issue break the deal?
Are DoDEA/Gov't benefits really as good as I think they are, especially compared to a good International Teaching package? (I have scoured the internet, and have found limited information on comparisons. If anyone knows of a valuable resource and can offer a link, I would appreciate it).
Should I go ahead and interview to see if I'm even offered the job (they have to move fast by now, surely).
If I am offered the position and I turn it down, does that blacklist me from future DoDEA references?
If I deny the interview, does that blacklist me from future DoDEA references?
I'm certain leaving a new position would blacklist me in the non-DoDEA International Teaching community. Is it worth it?
I'm leaning toward my original, first impression to deny the interview, but thought I'd ask. Thanks!
As I understand it, the expired license is not necessarily a deal breaker if DoDEA considers you qualified without it (by virtue of meeting the credit requirements without needing the state cert to reduce the requirements, if that makes sense).
The benefits are good to great, depending on your frame of reference. For most stateside teachers they would be a significant improvement. For many to most int'l teachers they would also be an improvement. Check where you would fall on the salary scale based on your education and experience (with 10 years being the most they would credit):
Post allowance would be an additional tax free $150 to $600 per paycheck (depending on location).
Travel benefits are likely to be comparable to most good to great in't schools, better than some. LQA will generally be better than many int'l schools but it will vary wildly. With DoDEA you would have a very nice place with utilities fully covered with no ongoing out of pocket top off required. Only the better int'l schools can generally match that.
BUT, LQA is not a guarantee these days since they have apparently tightened up on giving full CONUS benefits to teachers living overseas at time of hire.
If you turn down an interview, it should not impact future applications. If you interview and turn down the offer, it would generally block you from further consideration for this year, but that wouldn't seem to be that big an issue for you.
Walking away from a new int'l job (doing a runner as it's often called) would likely cause you some problems in the int'l community but if you got into DoDEA, it wouldn't likely matter. The timing worked out for us with the offer coming after we resigned but before we had new int'l jobs but we were always prepared to walk away from virtually any int'l school for DoDEA.
Tough call, but it might be worth going forward with it and see what happens (or at least call HR and see if they can give you more accurate answers to your DoDEA related questions).
Okay, just received final offer yesterday and the report date is 45 days. Have word that our passports are almost ready, so that won't be an issue. My question is does anyone know if it is really taking 45 days to get overseas to Europe at this point. Waiting on PCS people to contact me. Thoughts?
Angela@educatormama, once you receive your orders, you only have 7 days to travel? What about the shopping of all of your things? I thought we had a few weeks after receiving final PCS orders?
Of co...See MoreYeah, I wasn't really sure what she meant by that when she posted the comment about 7 days so I just let it pass.
Your orders generally have a travel on or about date and you should have +/- 10 days to travel from that date. The on or about date should be far enough out so that you do have time to arrange your pack out, etc.
Of course things do not always go according to plan and some people's orders/travel plans do go through glitches and there can be issues.
I'...See MoreI have been placed in another referral list for a position in Germany. I'm wondering if it would be appropriate to contact the principal (or anyone else) and just introduce myself. I absolutely would when applying here in the states, but I don't know if that would be too aggressive for them, or just inappropriate since it's just a list.
I'm also wondering if my/our chances of getting hired would be higher if we didn't click that box to say or spouse is also looking for a job. Any thoughts on that? We'd like to both work, but if we got there, and subbed or something else for a time, it wouldn't bother us. At least we'd be there! ;)
SanDiegoTeacherI applied over 4 months ago and my qualifications are still pending and they have not been verified. I would not wait. When I call HR they said they are short staffed, so I would apply and then update when you get the new license. One person on this site said 4 to 5 months to wait for evaluation is the norn. It seems to be in my case so far.
SanDiegoTeacherI applied over 4 months ago and my qualifications are still pending and they have not been verified. I would not wait. When I call HR they said they are short staffed, so I would apply and then update when you get the new license. One person on this site said 4 to 5 months to wait for evaluation is the norn. It seems to be in my case so far.
Once you are referred for a position, how long does it normally take, during the active school year, to get a request for an interview? I know during the summer it varies, but am wondering with school being in , if it will possibly go faster or even slower.
HopingForNewsI think there's no neat answer to this. I had one interview request the day after a referral and another interview request three weeks after a referral. I think it depends on how busy the hiring official is at any given moment.
What programs/schools are being used to add certifications? I have state Certifications that DODEA isn't recognizing, I need to add college credits or a certificate to get them recognized.
PDI, Learner's Edge, San Diego State (and many others) can be good if they have the class/area you are looking for. As long as it's accredited and gives you an official transcript, you are fine. If you can find/afford graduate credits then it's even better as it would help you move up pay lanes with DoDEA.
State certs will generally cut the normally required numbers of credits in half.
We liked doing the fests and Christmas Markets, etc. But after a few years of it (and businesses closing early on Saturday and always being closed on Sundays) we were ready to move on.
We love Japan (food, culture, people) and enjoy being able to get into Tokyo/Yokohama by car or train when we want to (while also having a good selection of malls, restaurants and shops closer to home). We live off base in a good size house (less than 10 minutes from base) and so feel like we have the best of both worlds.