Good Year For Math

Our principal just returned from 3 weeks back home in America and Canada going to job fairs and recruiting teachers for next year. I spoke with him a little about it and he said that this year math teachers were having a hard time finding jobs, whereas English teachers were able to write their ticket where ever they wanted. This is unusual, because math teachers are usually the ones who have the upper hand on all of this. Last year, at the job fair, there were about 1,000 jobs available and about 650 teachers. Simon said this year there were 1,000 teachers and about 650 jobs. He said the economy is absolutely horrible and so many people are wanting to come overseas to teach, or need to come overseas because they are getting laid off or afraid of getting laid off.

I guess I chose a good year to come over and start my international teaching. It would be really hard to go through the whole interview process and job fair to not come away with something. I think Simon did a really good job over there. I know he is working towards changing the attitude of the school and I think he is trying to bring in the type of people that will help that.

Speaking of the attitude of the school, I actually discussed my concerns about connecting with the students and taking the failures personally. Simon reassured me that this was normal and I should not take these aspects so personal. He said some of it is due to the culture of the students that we have, who have maids and do not have to lift a finger for the rest of their lives if they do not want to. I know that has something to do with it, but it still is difficult to remove myself from the situation and not take it personal. It is something I think I am going to have to learn how to adjust to, else my education career is going to be a very difficult and challenging experience.

I also had a meeting with the parents of a student who I have been struggling with over the last few weeks. Simon was in the meeting with me and I will discuss that meeting in another post tomorrow. The meeting went better than expected and the father was supportive, despite my concerns.

Aaron