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DODD Teachers Chatboard

Interview

by Amanda

Jul 7, 2016

I had an interview 2 weeks ago and have not heard anything... Is it safe to say I did not get the job

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haha Sigh. HR really is our weak link right now. You can try calling back in a few hours and hope that you get someone more helpful.

If you don't like that idea then I would follow up with the principal via email if nothing else. Apologize for the intrusion but explain that you tried contacting HR just to get a final word on the position (and m...See More

Jul 7, 2016

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HelpOthers They will only tell you after the position has been
filled- person in place.

On 7/07/16, haha wrote:
> Sigh. HR really is our weak link right now. You can try
> calling back in a few hours and hope that you get someone
> more helpful.
>
> If you don't like that idea then I would follow up with
> t...See More

Jul 7, 2016

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Referrals

by Tonja

Jul 7, 2016

I received several referrals recently, however they are all local (stateside) in SPED. Is there something I need to change to indicate oversees positions preferred? I am not interested in stateside positions.

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haha Your target location in EAS should be set to the locations you are willing go in the Interest Area. You still might get referrals from other locations though.

On 7/07/16, Tonja wrote: > I received several referrals recently, however they are all > local (stateside) in SPED. Is there something I need to > change to indicate oversee...See More

Jul 7, 2016

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HelpOthers In EAS, go to the Application page:

click the link for: Target Location and Date (Overseas/Stateside)

In the "Interest Area" section: "Do you wish to be considered for DoDDS vacancies Overseas?" click the "yes" bubble.

Go to each of the tabs within this section: DoDDS-overseas, DDESS-Statesi...See More

Jul 7, 2016

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Pet Quarantine

by H

Jul 7, 2016

Can someone please tell me about pet quarantine. I am completely unfamiliar with it. We are currently in Germany, where we added a cat to our family. We are heading back to the US in a couple of weeks and then flying out to Japan. I'm not sure what this will mean for our cat. Thanks.

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long link, if it breaks after you paste it, just google for Yokosuka Shipping Pets http://www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil/MOS/f? p=MI:CONTENT:0::::P4_INST_ID,P4_CONTENT_TITLE,P 4_CONTENT_EKMT_ID,P4_CONTENT_DIRECTORY:263 5,Shipping&37;20Pets,30.90.90.30.210.0.0.0.0,39

Ideally, you want "Home Quarantine" which is a privilege ...See Morelong link, if it breaks after you paste it, just google for Yokosuka Shipping Pets http://www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil/MOS/f? p=MI:CONTENT:0::::P4_INST_ID,P4_CONTENT_TITLE,P 4_CONTENT_EKMT_ID,P4_CONTENT_DIRECTORY:263 5,Shipping&37;20Pets,30.90.90.30.210.0.0.0.0,39

Ideally, you want "Home Quarantine" which is a privilege (i.e. not guaranteed) for personnel under the Status of Forces Agreement, SOFA, between Japan and the U.S..

It's possible to have your pet accompany you, assuming you've gotten all pet import requirements in order and you have successfully arranged & paid for the flight reservation for your pet. It's also possible to delay your pet's transportation (if delayed then only option is via commercial Air Cargo, but Cargo is quite pricy vs. the pet's flight fee when accompanying you on your flight) until a more convenient date, e.g. after you move into your permanent housing, but again, your pet's papers must all be completely right. Heads Up: if you pet's paperwork isn't complete and right, to the jot and tittle, then your pet risks being put on the first flight back to the States.

Here's the Japan source material used by the Yokosuka Navy Base Vet's webpage on Shipping Pets... http://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/animal/im_index.html

Transportation to Japan Port of Entry can be either via commercial into Narita Intl Airport or via AMC to Yokota AB. When you have your orders, go to the nearest military bases's TMO/PPD (AF&Army/Navy-MC) office and specifically ask them to book you to the airport that works better for your desire to bring along your pet. Also, seek inputs and caveats from a colleague/sponsor/principal there who, ideally, has recent pet importing knowledge and experience. Then, VERIFY what you've learned with the Yokosuka Vet office; their international phone numbers are listed in their webpage above.

Your ground transportion w/ pet from either airport to your Yokosuka destination cannot be via the usual buses as no pets are allowed on these buses. Instead, you need to specially arrange your ground transportation. See info on options in above link; also ask sponsor for advice. The cost to transport and kennel and any other costs for your pet are all on you, i.e. not reimbursed from Uncle Sam, although you will claim your & family member ground transportation costs via your travel voucher even when using specially arranged, higher cost ground transport for pet van. (and, keep all pet transporting receipts as these are claimable as Moving Expenses if filing your taxes long form w/ 3903F form.)

Temporary lodging on Yokosuka does have a few rooms that allow pets, but you must arrange that reservation. As soon as you know arrival date, book your pet friendly room at Yokosuka, if still available. If none available, then you need to arrange for a reservation for your pet at the on- base kennel. Also ask your sponsor for input a/o use this link to find phone number and then, when date of arrival is known, call and, hopefully, make your pet-friendly room reservation http://www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil/MOS/f? p=MI:CONTENT:0::::P4_INST_ID,P4_CONTENT_TITLE,P 4_CONTENT_EKMT_ID,P4_CONTENT_DIRECTORY:263 5,Temporary&37;20Housing,30.90.60.30.60.0.0.0.0,10

Lots to do, but you have plenty of/enough time, but not a lot to waste. As far as when to fly, that's up to both you and TMO, but, personally speaking, arriving one week prior to Reporting Date has always been plenty of time to do what needs to be done. Once you have PCS'd a time or two, then a couple days prior to Reporting Date will usually suffice just fine.

Welcome to DoDDS and to Japan!

On 7/07/16, H wrote: > Can someone please tell me about pet quarantine. I am > completely unfamiliar with it. We are currently in > Germany, where we added a cat to our family. We are > heading back to the US in a couple of weeks and then > flying out to Japan. I'm not sure what this will mean > for our cat. Thanks.

Jul 7, 2016

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Class sizes

by Lindaloo

Jul 7, 2016

I was curious what class sizes typically are with DoD schools. I know from state to state the sizes can vary drastically and wondered if DoD schools are closer to the small or large end of that scale.

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haha It will vary somewhat wildly from school to school. In general, class sizes have been towards the smaller end of the spectrum in our experience. In the HS some classes end up much smaller (-10) while some of the core classes can be 20+.

In elementary you often see a bit of range with 15 to 24 being fairly usual and varying from grade to gr...See More

Jul 7, 2016

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Lindaloo Thanks, Those numbers don't sound too bad. In my current district upper elementary classes are typically around 32-33 students lower elementary 26-28.

On 7/07/16, haha wrote: > It will vary somewhat wildly from school to school. In > general, class sizes have been towards the smaller end of > the spectrum in our experience. In the...See More

Jul 7, 2016

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colleges to add certs

by Sam

Jul 6, 2016

I know I've seen advice here on colleges that are "user friendly" for taking courses to add certifications. Does anyone know where that list is? Thanks

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Assuming compliance in taking any given cert's specifically listed courses, if any, then your decision about where to take courses should be heavily influenced by whether taking graduate hours would enable your paylane advancement using the same courses to add endorsements. If so, then google for the (cheapest) accredited graduate hours you can fin...See More

Jul 6, 2016

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Sam Thanks, I don't need grad hours, just undergrad courses to add certs...

On 7/06/16, Nathan wrote: > Assuming compliance in taking any given cert's specifically > listed courses, if any, then your decision about where to > take courses should be heavily influenced by whether > taking graduate hours would enable your paylane >...See More

Jul 7, 2016

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I received an offer

by Panda

Jul 6, 2016

I was offered a position in Bahrain!

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Panda Thanks haha! Sunny, it's middle/high school English and high school Social Studies.

On 7/06/16, haha wrote: > Very glad to hear it. Well done and welcome to DoDDS! > > On 7/06/16, sunny wrote: >> Congratulatioms & good luck! What position were >> you offered? >> >> >> On 7/06/16, Panda wrote: >...See More

Jul 6, 2016

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Sam Congratulations!

On 7/06/16, Panda wrote:
> Thanks haha! Sunny, it's middle/high school English and
> high school
Social
> Studies.
>
> On 7/06/16, haha wrote:
>> Very glad to hear it. Well done and welcome to DoDDS!
>>
>> On 7/06/16, sunny wrote:
>>> Congrat...See More

Jul 7, 2016

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Soon?

by H

Jul 7, 2016

My account just became inactive!!! I hope that's a good sign. I interviewed for two locations last week.

Jul 6, 2016

Hi,

After I met all of the quals, do I need to renew the app yearly, or does it automatically stay active. I am thinking for 2017-18. Thank you.

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DoDDS wants you to Renew/Update/ReVerify your EAS each year. The deadline to do this is in the Spring; you may or may not receive an email alerting you to the deadline, so it's beter to be proactive.

On 7/06/16, Kay Nickens Boone wrote: > Hi, > > After I met all of the quals, do I need to renew the app > yearly, or does it aut...See More

Jul 6, 2016

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Referral lists, EAS messages?

by SSpecial

Jul 6, 2016

I seem to be getting mixed messages. I called DoDEA headquarters this morning to confirm my application was active and up to date. The response I got was yes, it's fine but it says you need a certificate on file for two other states you taught in. I explained to the person, I hadn't taught in those two states in over 15 years and they have expired....See More

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haha Unfortunately HR is often the black hole in the equation.

The current system means that to get answers to your questions you are at the whim and mercy of whoever picks up the phone. In your case the person obviously gave you false information. They probably did it unknowingly but it is sad that they could be so wrong on something so basic ...See MoreUnfortunately HR is often the black hole in the equation.

The current system means that to get answers to your questions you are at the whim and mercy of whoever picks up the phone. In your case the person obviously gave you false information. They probably did it unknowingly but it is sad that they could be so wrong on something so basic (the referral list).

I believe (but could be wrong) that they are also wrong about the messages on your EAS. I know that in my personal situation (and others I have heard of) some messages were changed as the situation changed and I sent in the information that was requested. I also had the benefit of someone leaving their name on my file so I was able to communicate directly with them via email and telephone (when they picked up the phone or actually returned my calls).

If your file is reading all green check marks and finalized (and the date is for the 2016-2017 school year) you should be fine. If you are still concerned call again at a different time of the day and try and get someone else. If there is a name/initials on your file try and speak directly to the person handling your file.

On 7/06/16, SSpecial wrote: > I seem to be getting mixed messages. I called DoDEA > headquarters this morning to confirm my application was > active and up to date. The response I got was yes, it's > fine but it says you need a certificate on file for two > other states you taught in. I explained to the person, I > hadn't taught in those two states in over 15 years and > they have expired. I asked if the message could be taken > off and she said "no". There was also another message > stating I needed a reference from two people, but one of > them did submit a reference and the DoD staff confirmed > it and the other person moved to another school so I had > a different supervisor submit the reference. Again I > asked if the message could be taken off and she said, > "no". We chatted some more and I asked about referral > lists. She stated, potential teachers are not informed > if they are put on a referral list. They will just be > informed if they are offered a position. Yet, I keep > reading about people being on referral lists. So my > question is, can these messages be taken off my > application and why would she tell me nobody is informed > if they are on a referral list, when clearly people have > been informed. I'm concerned my application is in a > black hole and isn't being considered. Thanks for any > suggestions or answers.

Jul 6, 2016

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