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DODD Teachers Chatboard

Information Underload :)

by LiteracyRocks

Oct 21, 2017

As I flip through pages of posts, I'm grateful for the ability to pick the minds of some very well-informed people. However, I notice so much information that simply has to be available on an official basis..somewhere! For example, there are so many acronyms for various parts of DOD schools. I can't keep them straight! I was reading a post tonight ...See More

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HelpOthers LiteracyRocks, I just posted this same comment elsewhere, but think it is applicable to your comment here.

Always stay ahead of any deadlines at work, have plenty of sub plans ready and if you do get an offer, plan to do what you can to make it easy for a sub to fill your position for the remainder of the year if needed. Give your current...See More

Oct 22, 2017

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haha Keep in mind that the majority of hiring does happen in late Spring and over the summer for the start of the following school year. So in most situations you would have far more than two weeks. If you have a good relationship with your principal you could let them know when you got a tentative offer so that when your firm offer/orders came through ...See More

Oct 22, 2017

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Job Offers

by Muttface

Oct 16, 2017

The position is not filled and remains open. GTMO was not affected by the hurricanes and all forms of communications, be it cell or internet, are working fine.

Parents are desperately waiting for the open positions to be filled. We lost 17 school employees this year, 10 last and 14 the year before that. Hoping we get someone in here that w...See More

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LiteracyRocks haha, thank you. I've worked for my district for 15 years, and they have been wonderful to me. I'm considering leaving only because the situation in my state has made teaching...and being able to feed yourself...almost impossible. I'm tired of waiting for that to improve, but do not want to disrespect this wonderful district on my way out. They are...See More

Oct 22, 2017

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HelpOthers Always stay ahead of any deadlines, have plenty of sub plans ready and if you do get an offer, plan to do what you can to make it easy for a sub to fill your position for the remainder of the year if needed. Give your current admin as much notice as possible and keep in mind that even if your new school wants you immediately, it could take up to th...See More

Oct 22, 2017

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Searching previous posts.

by LiteracyRocks

Oct 22, 2017

Is there a way to search previous posts? I know some of the questions I'm asking are repeats, and I also recognize the value of the time it takes to respond to these question. If I could search them out prior to asking, I bet I could save us all some time! I just don't see that feature anywhere!

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Bike Grrrl I used Advanced Google search to do so. Put in your search term and limit the domain to this website. It worked pretty well to get me up to speed on old posts.

Oct 22, 2017

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HelpOthers Great idea Bike Grrrl. You can also sort by topic at the top left and it may show more posts than through the default method.

Oct 22, 2017

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Problems with the DODEA Website

by wlewis

Oct 22, 2017

I inadvertently caused my application account to become locked when I tried too many times to "guess" my password. I asked for password assistance, retrieved my password, and let 48 hours elapse, thinking that it would automatically revert to default and allow me to access my application. That has not been the case, and the email links for help are...See More

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someday I locked myself out before and I emailed with my username to eassystemadminstrator and the next day they emailed me my password. I didn't reset it or anything like that. The full email is on the site.

Oct 22, 2017

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Considering DODD

by Bairsped733

Oct 21, 2017

Hello! I am considering applying to DODDEA schools overseas. I attended these schools k-8 and absolutely loved it and miss the lifestyle. My only concern is that I am single and would not have any support system. My question is, are there any people with the same circumstances? Are you happy with your choice and was it worth the terrifying kick out...See More

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Dr. Ali Fant Then I have known teachers who have met their spouse overseas -- either local nationals or other DoDEA teachers or DoD Civilians. Generally, you will find your perfect spouse where you are both busy engaging in your happiest employment.

Oct 21, 2017

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HelpOthers Agreed, there are many single adults in DoDEA. One thing that seems to be common is the dislike of isolated locations where there are few dating options. Many seem happier when they have opportunities to hang out with other singles. You may want to check out Meetup.com to see if there are any groups in the area that interest you.

Oct 22, 2017

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Conflicting Interview Requests

by Dr. Ali Fant

Oct 21, 2017

Interviewed along with Heather for the Guantanamo Bay position several weeks ago. Position is still be processed. Received interview request for Fort Braggs (Social Studies, Science), but am wary about accepting the request as I would prefer Cuba. Any suggestions from the Chatboard?

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haha I would say don't take the interview if you wouldn't take the job. If you take it, get an offer and turn in down then you would be locked out for any other positions until next season. If you would be OK with Fort Bragg for a couple of years, then take the interview.

Oct 21, 2017

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HelpOthers E-mail the person from Guantanamo Bay to let them know you are being asked to interview elsewhere. Sometimes, this speeds up when you hear an offer. However, haha's suggestion is valid.

Oct 22, 2017

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Question

by sdteacher

Oct 2, 2017

I have been reading this chatboard for a year now. I know many of you got jobs this year abroad. I wanted to know how it was going? Are you enjoying working abroad? How are your classses and how has the transition been with your family?

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EmilyG I LOVE IT! We are in Germany, and my kids are having a great time. I am so impressed with the schools here- my kids are getting a fabulous education at the DODEA schools. Because schools here are staffed quite well, the elementary school they attend has counselors, PE teachers, Art teachers, Host Nation teachers where they learn German culture and ...See More

Oct 13, 2017

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HelpOthers We are loving it in Japan. The entire family is here now (spouse and son were delayed travel to pack-out). My daughter likes her new high school.

Oct 20, 2017

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Request for Travel Orders

by LillyLu

Oct 14, 2017

I'm currently filling out the inprocessing packet. When it asks if I want "Non-Temporary Storage", does this mean storage here in the US or overeas? Am I correct in thinking that they will pay for the storage as well?

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HopefulTeacher LillyLu, what will you be teaching and where?

Oct 16, 2017

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HelpOthers The above comments are correct. However people who have used it have usually said they wish they had not. The storage is not environmentally protected (AC/dehumidifier), so often the items are ruined by mold or pests or just plain dis-use, or stays there so long, you forget what was even there and end up replacing anything you might need rather tha...See More

Oct 20, 2017

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New Hire

by livehappy

Oct 15, 2017

Hi everyone... I have received the tentative offer and completed paperwork for a position in Korea. We are now at the point of waiting for the security clearance and final offer. I have filled out the paperwork for E-Quip however have not done the link or fingerprints yet. I am curious how travel back works. I think its called RAT travel. According...See More

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haha I'm wondering which site you have actually been reading. I don't think anyone here has been shy about pointing out the flaws in DoDEA as a school system (and that the school/work environment will vary widely from location to location).

The "nirvana" (which I don't believe has ever actually been said) refers mainly to the pay, benefits, sav...See More

Oct 18, 2017

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HelpOthers Haha was spot on in his response. Most locations offer Renewal Agreement Travel after two years of full-time employment and some more remote or considered difficult locations receive it every year. Because you are starting so late this year, you will not receive RAT this summer. Korea has a 1 year RAT because it is considered a hardship area, mostl...See MoreHaha was spot on in his response. Most locations offer Renewal Agreement Travel after two years of full-time employment and some more remote or considered difficult locations receive it every year. Because you are starting so late this year, you will not receive RAT this summer. Korea has a 1 year RAT because it is considered a hardship area, mostly due to the air quality (red sand). However, many people love living there.

No matter where you are employed within DoDEA, your first two years are probationary and you could technically be fired for no reason at all. However, this does not seem to actually happen. If they do not plan on having you return, they will do everything they can to get your skills up to muster before the end of the year. If your position is not longer needed, they will attempt to locate you elsewhere even if you have only been there a year or so. On the other hand, if you work part-time, they can fire you at any time for no reason at all.

As was mentioned previously, DoDEA has its positves and negatives as a school-system. The students have homes, food in their bellies, and often a second parent at home. On the other hand, many military families have very young parents and the average military family has more children than the average non-military family (research is available). In some branches of the military, the active duty spouse can be gone for 6 months or longer at one time and the spouse remaining at home, may have difficulty as the care giver- may be depressed, uneducated, unhealthy, disorganized, etc., and just plain challenged as a "single" parent. Even when the active duty spouse is not deployed, they may be gone often for field exercises or TDY. In some locations the students move an average of every three years, so you might have 1/3 the school moving in and 1/3 moving out and 1/3 staying put for another year. In other locations, the same families may be located there for 20 years or more- especially stateside schools that can serve the neediest students.

You have available to you both salary scales, you can look up the Living Quarters Allowance for any location overseas (look at group 3), and you can see the COLA amount for each location if available. LQA and COLA are only available if you are moving to DoDEA Pacific or DoDEA Europe (not Americas or American Territories).

If you are going overseas, including Puerto Rico and Guam, your household goods will be shipped at no cost to you and to most locations you will also have one car shipped at no cost to you.

As for your own students getting the best education, I will say that my experience has been that our schools are more diverse than the average American school both in students and in staff. This diversity is across ethnic and cultural and even age lines. I think DoDEA has more teachers who remain teaching well beyond their possible retirement years than other schools and this can be great or it could be not so great depending on the individual.

Oct 20, 2017

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