What else could I be d...See MoreHi all, I've had my application in for about a year now. I'm a fourth-year teacher with AP experience, certified NY state teacher, no dependents, 2 master's degrees - in history and in teaching. Both of my parents are vets; I've attended school in Europe, and am qualified to teach both humanities and social studies.
What else could I be doing to bolster my application? Should I also have an application on USAJobs? I know this can be quite the waiting game but would love to know if there's anything else I can be doing to make my application more appealing. Thanks so much.
You might want to look at your transcripts and see if there are any additional areas you could add with a class or two. If AVID is offered in your state/district, consider adding it (it can usually only takes a workshop). If you haven't, maybe also look into adding the relevant AP College Board training/cert areas if feasible, to go with the experience.
Other than that, there isn't THAT much you can do to increase your chances or speed up the process, short of getting hired with a DoDEA Americas school, which "could" help your chances with being hired by DoDEA overseas (or marrying someone on active duty who gets orders to a base with a DoDEA school).
The vast majority of teaching positions (if not all) will go through EAS. Other positions like ISS could be on USA Jobs. It couldn't hurt to have an application active with them.
I did a troop to teacher program and have been a state certified teacher for all but 2 years of my teaching career, as well as having 2 masters degrees (curriculum & instruction and educational leadership). DODEA says I'm missing 4 classes for them to consider my application (teaching reading, writing, math, and social studies). I was wondering if I could still get a job as a sub (my wife's country always has adverts for subs) just to get my foot in the door, then take the classes in the hopes of getting pulled on permanently, or is it all wishful thinking? I figure the adverts for subs are more or less for military spouses simply so the school in need can have a warm body in the room on days the regular teacher is out. The classes are $2400 total but I've read this board for years now and I'm not sure if I want to pay for the classes if my chances of getting hired are still so low. Thoughts or opinions?
What certification area(s) are you looking for with DoDEA? I would think that you should be able to find the 4 required classes for cheaper than $2400.
If you were to be considered qualified by DoDEA, you would have as good a shot as anyone (better than some) to be hired, with your experience and qualifications. Living overseas already might complicate your status as far as LQA, etc. but salary and other benefits might offset that enough to still make a it a great gig for you.
hahaIs your EAS active? If so, are your original references still in there? As for HR, ask your secretary for a contact and start there. They are generally pretty good with passing you on to someone else if it is not their area of responsibility.
Does anyone know if an NTE can be converted to a permanent position after 90 days? I'm currently an NTE, covering a teacher on medical leave. There are a number of openings at my school but unfortunately I didn't make the list for any of them.
The rules are ...See MoreYour response is more of an attack. An attack against me. I didn't take your job. I'm not blocking your conversion to a permanent position.
Please don't shoot the messenger.
When I read your response objectively, I don't see anything that supports the notion that HR should abandon the rules and convert you.
The rules are for the greater population. Yes, it may be unfortunate that one person has gamed the system, but that doesn't mean that you should conveniently slide into a permanent position after 90 days.
Maybe I could be more understanding of your rant, but you have failed to convince me that you are the best candidate.
Our children deserve the best candidate.
Your fight is with HR and how they deal with older teachers, close to retirement, with medical issues. But these teaches are protected by EEO laws. Is it possible that these EEO laws exist for a reason?
The bigger/more relevant question for you should probably be why you are not on the local hire list for those positions. Have you double-checked your EAS, followed with HR and/or admin at the school(s)?
Hey everyone. I have been preparing to move to teach in Yokosuka and have been looking into cell phones. Does anyone know what company is best for cell phone plans and service around Yokosuka, Japan. Thanks!
HelpOthersSoftbank has an unlimited data plan and when in the US you can call and receive calls from Japan for free, but also call US numbers while in the US and use data on Spring network. YMobile has plans for children and young adults (up to 23rd birthday).
Question 2: Why would you assume the EAS will be locked? Where did that idea come from?
Many people resign, and immediately re-apply. It happens all the time.
There's nothing negative, or punitive in either the resignations, or the desire to re-apply. Think local hire spouse, whose sponsoring spouse gets PCS orders. The local hire teacher resigns, they PCS, and the teacher spouse immediately re-applies through the EAS.
There's nothing untoward about that situation.
The EAS doesn't get locked, and neither is there a one year period before being allowed to re-apply.
Now the situation does get interesting (complicated) when a teacher on a transportation agreement resigns, and gets orders to cover the move back home.
In most circumstances a person may only be reimbursed for one PCS move per 12-month period. A person in that situation may have to wait 12 months before they eligible for a Gov compensated PCS move.
Many people (single, married couple - no pets - no children) really don't need the PCS benefit. If you travel light, then a PCS move is just a one-way plane ticket, and some excess luggage. Suck up the PCS expense and take the dream job. (There are different ways of arranging it. Just take care not to expect more than one PCS expense in a 12-month period.)
Now, if emma20 has a "complicated" situation, then more specific advice may be needed, but until emma20 provides some more details, I think my answers to questions 1 and 2 are correct.
emma20, it sounds like you have a plan. Care to share?
IsItFriday?Wow. Email only. No more phone calls. How distant and anonymous is that. We're one step away from dealing with HR through an AI app. How dehumanizing.
I also had a few questions for any Dodea teachers living and working in Japan: My apology for the naivety of some these questions.
1. Does Dodea insurance allow me to use any hospital in Japan, for instance if I need to take my family to the hospital/dentist, etc. Or am I limited to "on-base" facilities.
2. If you are paid in dollars, yet all of the bills (electric, rent, etc) are taken out of my Japanese bank account in Yen, what do you recommend. Do you have to convert the money each month to yen yourself?
3. Are childcare services available on base for 2-3 year olds, if my wife decides to work a part time job?
Quick question: Have you tried to learn another language, then teach complex subject matter in that language? That experience alone has honed my skills as an educator in more ways that I could imagine.
While Dodea may prefer someone who has been working in the American school system, with an American curriculum, it could be to their benefit to hire someone acclimated to Japan, planning to live here long term, and who is unburdened by "culture shock" of living in another country. Personally, I believe A Masters and an active teaching license with 14 years teaching experience in America and international schools in Japan makes me highly qualified for a position teaching here.
In my current role I conduct 80 person lectures about history, geography, ancient history, and anthropology. I am positive I could handle an American classroom with a basic social studies curriculum with relative ease. Dodea has not given me the opportunity to do so, so I may have to continue on a path in upper academia and forego my dream of serving my own country who unfortunately, will not give me an opportunity to do so.
You're making me laugh. I almost spilled my miso soup on my laptop.
Yes, yes. I'm convinced. You're very qualified. But, you do understand that I'm not HR, right? No one at HR is listening. You're just shouting in an echo chamber.
HR uses an algorithm to make decisions.
"Have you ever tried to learn another language" - Man, take a chill pill. I'm NOT looking for a job. You're the one looking for a position.
I notice that you have ZERO recent experience in a ES, MS, or HS.
Neither do you have Veteran's Preference, or a Spousal Preference.
You are missing lots of boxes that HR loves to tick. These boxes are in the algorithm.
Have you ever talked to HR? Have you noticed how anonymous, and distant they are. HR simply doesn't care about your published papers, or that you're an almost professor.
I received a referral to Aviano. I have always told my wife this would be my ideal location. I can't even handle the waiting process. I want to call/email/fly over and introduce myself, anything to at least get an interview. How the heck have you handled this?
IcanreadYou could call or email the principal, introduce yourself, and express your desire to interview. Or you could wait and see if you get an interview.
Contacting the principal is always a bit of a wild card (e.g. slight chance of doing some good, slight chance of doing some harm, greatest chance of changing nothing) but if you are feeling lucky and want to feel like you are DOING SOMETHING other than waiting for your big break, than maybe give it a shot and craft an intelligent email that shows your enthusiasm and winning personality but somehow avoids making you sound desperate and/or deranged.
Hey everyone. I have a question regarding what's it like accepting a a job offer in mid year. I've been offered a job with Dodea and it looks like I won't be going till the end of the year. The offer is for Europe. I have a family with school age children.
If you have high school students, ask about the different schedules (4 semester long vs 7 year-long classes) as this can make a difference when trying to transfer from one system to another. Your dependents can join you up to 6 months later (deferred travel), but your LQA is based on who is with you.