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DODD Teachers Chatboard

Yokota/Fussa, Japan

by malonea

Mar 29, 2017

Does anyone know about this location and base outside of Tokyo?

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Redclover711 Good to know. From what I understand it is relatively close to the other 2 bases outside of Tokyo?

Mar 30, 2017

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haha Relatively. Around an hour to one and an hour and a half to the other.

Mar 31, 2017

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Random Question

by I ❤ sped

Mar 30, 2017

If you are hired to a hardship location then you are in the A+ category for transfers after 3 years, right? Does one typically receive a transfer with 3 years DODEA experience and an A+ rating? Or do you typically need more experience to be able to transfer? TIA

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haha So, in looking at some information for putting in orders for RAT travel this year (Renewal Agreement Travel) the only 1 year tour of duty stations in the Pacific are Korea, Misawa and Okinawa. Yokosuka is listed as a hardship for some other purposes but not apparently for this. I don't have the information in front of me for other districts but I r...See More

Mar 30, 2017

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Teach I worked with teachers in Okinawa who had waited 5-7 years for a transfer, and some are still waiting. The transfer program is very expensive and it was stopped completely for a few years. It started back up (this is the 2nd year) and nearly 800 people applied for transfers with only about 130-140 getting to transfer each year. If course, if you ha...See More

Mar 31, 2017

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Salary/COLA/Housing

by malonea

Mar 30, 2017

I have a question about the salary/COLA/housing allowances. I have seen the salary schedules and know that those are set across the board. How does housing work? If there is housing on a base, do you receive the housing allowance or just the base housing and no allowance? Therefore, if you choose to live off base, then you get the housing allowance...See More

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Teach You only get a housing allowance if you are off base. Many bases do not offer on-base housing to DODEA teachers or it is very limited. The amount is for housing and utilities, and one needs to leave wiggle room for the fluctuating dollar. You do not get to keep any unused portion. COLA is a certain percentage depending on location and it can change...See More

Mar 31, 2017

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Japan Referral

by starfish

Mar 30, 2017

There seems to be action with Korea positions. Has anyone had an interview with Japan schools? I received a couple referrals, but haven't heard anything else.

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haha It's probably a glitch but there were two elementary schools that each had at least 5 elementary positions when the Pacific East vacancy list came out last month.

Yes, principals are "required" to pull a list of qualified candidates in the local community and interview them first.

If your application is in the EAS system and a pri...See More

Mar 30, 2017

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Teach Iwakuni is opening a new elementary school, so it is possible that they will have many openings.

Mar 31, 2017

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Interview

by malonea

Mar 27, 2017

I have an interview and am wanting to know if there is a common set of questions or if it differs by administrators?

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Redclover711 Just an update. My interview was the 7 standard questions described previously, but no timeline. The standard questions, but very conversational in nature and over an hour in length. So it appears to be different depending on school and administrator.

Mar 30, 2017

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Redclover711 The questions included classroom setup and early communication with parents and students regarding expectations, how do you ensure a productive learning environment/what does your classroom look like, lesson planning, assessment cycle, standards, specific problem you have had to deal with and how did you handle it, and adaptability to new settings....See More

Mar 30, 2017

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Question

by Wonderlust

Mar 30, 2017

Is it usual protocol to receive an email from a DoDEA principal, set up an interview, and then have it cancelled on you the day of the interview. Then you happen to check USA jobs and it is posted there. What would be the reasoning behind this decision? It happened to me this past July and it really upset me.

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haha Sounds fairly unusual but most admin types (not just DoDEA) are lousy HR people.

Mar 30, 2017

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Who hasn't gotten a referral

by SpEd_Eddie

Mar 24, 2017

Sounds like everyone and there brother has received a referral but me. Is there anyone else in the same boat as me. If so what are your DoDEA certs. Just curious to see if there is a pattern

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happyteacher Actually it's the opposite.... Since they only credit 10 years experience, they could hire someone with 20 years of experience for not much more than someone with 4 or 5 years.

On 3/28/17, haha wrote: > I think there is enough of a separation between the principal > and the people who are responsible for the budgets that the > pri...See MoreActually it's the opposite.... Since they only credit 10 years experience, they could hire someone with 20 years of experience for not much more than someone with 4 or 5 years.

On 3/28/17, haha wrote: > I think there is enough of a separation between the principal > and the people who are responsible for the budgets that the > principals would rather get the best person for the job then > try and save a few dollars. > > At the school level they aren't really dealing with budgets > for personnel. They get a manpower agreement with a set > number of teachers based mainly on student numbers and then > usually fill it to the best of their ability (rather than > getting a set amount of money and trying to hire as many > teachers as they can for that money). > > I've been in districts in the states where it's the opposite > situation but in DoDDS they're not even allowed to ask you if > you have children, how many dependents etc. even though that > can greatly increase the expense for DoDDS. They do many > questionable things but trying to pinch pennies at hiring > doesn't SEEM to be one of them. > > On 3/28/17, SpedTeacher wrote: >> I know in my district, often the LEAST experienced and > qualified >> will get hired because the district can save money on > salary (the >> gap between a step one and where I am is $9000 a year) so I > don't >> know if principals take that into account or not. It > certainly >> impacted me getting a job. I interviewed two years in a row > for a >> self-contained 10/1 position and was beaten out by a new > graduate >> with only student teaching experience in SPED. Each only > lasted a >> year and couldn't deal with the behaviors and they hired > me. I'm on >> my fourth year in this district... I know DoDEA likes > experienced >> teachers, but I do wonder if sometimes the money doesn't > have >> something to do with it. >> >> On 3/28/17, haha wrote: >>> True, but some people do seem to manage to move in and out >>> of DoDDS with apparent ease. I've had a few tell me >>> personally that their connections with principals helped >>> them out (but can't vouch for the accuracy of those >>> claims). >>> >>> So, although a principal may not be able put someone on a >>> list, they certainly can make sure to interview them if >>> they do appear (and they can sometimes play with >>> certification combos to increase the chances the person in >>> question shows up on a list). >>> >>> I'm not saying that it happens all of the time but as you >>> say, the hiring process is a mystery so it wouldn't >>> surprise me too much if connections do help some people >>> from time to time (and they certainly can't hurt). >>> >>> On 3/28/17, Teach wrote: >>>> Referrals come from HR and principals have no say about >>>> who is on the list. I am a DDESS teacher w/three years in >>>> DoDDS, and I've only received one referral this year and >>>> no interview (I'm trying for Japan and Okinawa). The way >>>> the HR side of things works is a mystery, really. I have >>>> friends with many years of experience and multiple >>>> certifications who never end up on a referral list, yet >>>> I've met teachers with >>> little >>>> to no experience who are hired into DDESS and DoDDS. >>>> >>>> >>>> On 3/26/17, haha wrote: >>>>> Yes, pretty much this. Although we are all under DoDEA, >>>>> when it comes to moving from DoDDS to DDESS (or vice >>>> versa) >>>>> you are basically on the same level as an external >>>>> candidate. >>>>> >>>>> In practice you are/should be somewhat ahead since you >>>> have >>>>> some relevant contacts, principals can and do talk to >>>>> each other and you have experience within the system, >>>>> with the curriculum, etc. Apparently many people have >>>>> been able to go back and forth between them successfully >>>>> while others never seem to get the chance. >>>>> >>>>> On 3/26/17, Euxpat wrote: >>>>>> I moved form DDESS to DODDS. It has nothing to do with >>>>> the >>>>>> transfer program. So whichever one you are currently >>>>>> working in (DDESS or DODDS) is not available to move, >>>> BUT >>>>>> if you are in DDESS your DODDS side of the application >>>> is >>>>>> open and vice versa. Principals/HQ can pull Referrals >>>>>> Lists from both external and internal applicants. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On 3/26/17, Psych! wrote: >>>>>>> Marie-Lorriane, If you're already psych with dodea >>>>>>> (ddess) are you not eligible for a transfer to Dodds, >>>>>>> when they do the transfer round? Do you have to submit >>>>> an >>>>>>> application as if you were new? Is the same true if >>>>>>> you're working in Dodds and want to move the the >>>> states? >>>>>>> Still trying to figure out this whole system, thanks. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On 3/26/17, Mary-Lorraine wrote: >>>>>>>> I'm a Nationally Certified School Psychologist >>>>> currently >>>>>>>> with DoDEA in Fort Knox, KY. I am DoDEA certified as >>>> a >>>>>>>> school psychologist and as a school counselor >>>>>>>> (elementary, middle, secondary). I have not seen >>>>>>>> received any referral e-mails >>>>>>> this >>>>>>>> year. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On 3/24/17, Psych! wrote: >>>>>>>>> On 3/24/17, SpEd_Eddie wrote: >>>>>>>>>> Sounds like everyone and there brother has received >>>> a >>>>>>>>>> referral but me. Is there anyone else in the same >>>>> boat >>>>>>>>>> as me. If so what are your DoDEA certs. Just >>>>>>>>>> curious to see if there is a pattern >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I'm a school psychologist, who has received no >>>>>>>>> referrals yet. I'd be curious to hear if there are >>>>>>>>> any other psychs active on the board and if you've >>>>>>>>> heard anything.

Mar 28, 2017

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angel This is my second year applying. I did my application late the first time (late April). No referrals or calls last year, and none yet this year.

I have certs in K-5 and Middle School Math. I am qualified in Middle Math, Computer Science, and ET phone home.

I'm constantly looking at my transcripts to see what else I can add. Also l...See More

Mar 30, 2017

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Family

by Guest

Mar 30, 2017

Is anyone else struggling with their family (parents) not being supportive of this opportunity? No matter what I say, I can't convince my parents this is a good opportunity for me, even after explaining how my salary nearly doubles with the LQA and raise I would get. I know I'm a grownup who makes her own decisions and hasn't lived with my parents ...See More

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haha It's fairly common. The vast majority of Americans never leave the continental US and have a very difficult time comprehending how anyone could want to live anywhere else. In our case my spouses parents were deceased and my parents had a military background so they were very familiar with the desire to live abroad and have different experiences (an...See More

Mar 30, 2017

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angel Can definitely relate. I told my mother last year that I was applying. She said she hoped I didn't get it. Thanks Mom! I think it's mostly because I'm a single female. Also, possibly because my top choice is Japan. If it were another country... she probably still wouldn't want me to do it but Japan is a NO NO.

She didn't like that I went t...See More

Mar 30, 2017

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Not hearing anything

by Monarch Butterfly

Mar 30, 2017

I am reading all of these posts and are envious of those who have been placed on referral lists and have been emailed for an interview or already have interviewed. I have not heard a thing for the past two years. I have updated my application and everything for this school year. Just wondering if this is my year? For those who have been offered a j...See More

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Interview process

by starfish

Mar 30, 2017

Question regarding interview. Are canidates notified via email or phone?. How many days in advance is the notification? Are all interviews conducted over the phone? I am living outside of the US and have sketchy phone service.

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TeacherMama K in Daegu i got an email requesting an email. and then a follow up email with an assigned interview time. it was about a week's notice. And yes, the interview was over the phone.

Mar 30, 2017

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haha Usually an email first but sometimes just a phone call out of the blue. All interviews are by phone. I was hired from outside of the US. It can be done but some things are a little more difficult to manage.

Mar 30, 2017

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