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DODD Teachers Chatboard Topics

Taxes

by Icanread

Feb 25, 2017

How do taxes work if you teach for DoDDS? Do you still pay and file taxes for the US government or do you pay taxes to the country you are living in?

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haha Since you are working for the US gov't you pay and file taxes just as if you were back in the states. Since you are on SOFA status you are exempt from virtually all host nation taxes (and prohibited from making use of most host nation services and benefits).

Feb 25, 2017

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Reviews on schools

by Dr. Ali Fant

Feb 25, 2017

Another benefit for those of us remaining young at heart, DoDEA does not have a retirement age. There are a few DoDEA teachers in their 70s.

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rcoach Dr. Ali Fant, I remember you had interviewed for an ET position. Did you get it? If so, congratulations and how is it going?

Feb 26, 2017

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Availability Date

by angel

Feb 25, 2017

For the availability date, is it better to put the date your current job ends or the current date?

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haha It's best to put the date that you could reasonably be available to accept an offer to start. For most people that would be the end of the current school year. For some it might be immediately if you were unemployed or in a position where your employer would allow you to resign on relatively short notice without penalty. Some people have also accep...See More

Feb 25, 2017

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angel Thank you. I usually put the end of the school year, but wondered what others do.

Feb 25, 2017

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Response to Japan

by haha

Feb 25, 2017

No problem. Still waiting to see how many positions were filled in the transfer round (quite a few teachers in Japan got transfers to Europe). I know of at least a few schools looking at 6+ new teachers for next year due to transfer, retirements, PCS, etc.

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Japan hiring

by silverwolf

Feb 25, 2017

Sorry for posting so many questions, but is there any information offered on any high school positions in Japan? It's my first pick and I would really like to head over there.

Thank you

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Reviews on schools

by silverwolf

Feb 25, 2017

Does anyone have any honest reviews for working for the dodea? What are the pros? What are the cons? Where do people struggle, where do they succeed? What are the schools like? The parents? The students? What to expect if you get a job offer?

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haha Short answer: It depends.

Just as conditions can vary wildly from district to district and even school to school, many of things you ask about will look very different depending on the location and the school. In general, parents are mostly good to work with, they run the gamut from uninvolved to helicopter parents. Some can be quite judgm...See MoreShort answer: It depends.

Just as conditions can vary wildly from district to district and even school to school, many of things you ask about will look very different depending on the location and the school. In general, parents are mostly good to work with, they run the gamut from uninvolved to helicopter parents. Some can be quite judgmental and can try to make your life difficult. How successful they are depends a lot on how supportive your admin is, which again will vary wildly.

Schools are generally well maintained and resourced. Many new schools are being built in different locations. Textbook series can be used for years but many are now being replaced due to the rollout of the College and Career Readiness standards (their version of common core). Most classrooms have smartboards and sufficient computers. Internet is generally sufficient with some glitches and occasional slowdowns.

Success and struggles on the job are much like anywhere. If you are a good teacher and can fit in well with the community then you should have few problems. There will be some teachers mailing it in and/or looking for gossip and drama but not really any more then at most stateside schools.

As for the benefits, they are definitely attractive. My spouse and I are both experienced teachers with Masters Degrees and we gross $130K+ yearly with rent and utilities paid for by the gov't. We also get travel back to the states every two years (every year in some locations) and have access to all base facilities (e.g. commissary, library, gym, health facilities, etc.) which can be quite useful in many locations.

If hired, then the gov't will pay for you, your family and all of your possessions (18K lbs. worth) to move to your new locations. They will provide you with temporary quarters while you find your new home, advance you 3 months salary, help you get a driver's license, set up household, move and unpack your goods etc.

Basically, it generally a very good life if your desire is to live overseas with a very high quality of life.

Feb 25, 2017

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School Psych/Counselor

by Mary-Lorraine

Feb 24, 2017

I typed three responses before realizing that nothing I posted is appearing. I have gone by "School Psych" in the past and want to clarify that the recent comments are not from me. I took the advice from this board and added my school counseling certification in 2013 after applying for the first time in 2009 and updating my application each year. I...See MoreI typed three responses before realizing that nothing I posted is appearing. I have gone by "School Psych" in the past and want to clarify that the recent comments are not from me. I took the advice from this board and added my school counseling certification in 2013 after applying for the first time in 2009 and updating my application each year. I didn't realize until about 2012 when I added more credits that because I did not upload my transcripts AGAIN, even though I had reactivated my application, it was not actually active. So, there may be a few years in there when I thought my application was available and it was not. Now, I upload my transcripts and certifications each year, even though they are already in EAS. I completed my internship in 2013, the same year I started with DoDEA Americas (DDESS). I was hired for a part-time position, so I was able to complete the internship. My husband is a computer programmer who was able to work from home with his company even in a different state. So, I accepted the part-time position. It became full-time the following year. I suggest you consider accepting a part-time position if one ever becomes available, because I rarely see any other openings. I know a few people who are employed as both school psychologist and school counselor in a school or group of schools. However, all of the ones I know were already working for DoDEA when they were moved to these positions. I have never seen this combination posted in the transfer round and have never been asked to interview for a combination position. I have been a school psychologist the entire time. However, DoDEA does want school psychologists to do more counseling than my NASP approved program prepared me for, so I appreciated the counseling classes and practice, etc., I had while getting my school counseling certification.. My last child will be out of the house in two years, so if I am not hired to go abroad by then, we will plan on staying where we are unless the schools leave DoDEA and go to a local district. I definitely plan to retire from DoDEA and have another 16 years before I can consider it. Good luck.

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