Teach Away Update

I received an email update from my recruiter.  She let me know that Teach Away is close to finalizing the interview dates and final selection of participants.  The interviews will take place in Chicago and New York.  Since I'm closet to New York, I will go there for my final interview.

My recruiter also encouraged me to continue researching living in Dubai & Abu Dhabi as well as GEMS Education mission and education philosophy. Also, ensure that my passport is valid 2017 or beyond. I went to the Post Office today to apply for a passport, but they are only open Monday - Friday. So, I will need to make this a priority, this upcoming week. Back to the suggestions of my recruiter...she also encouraged me to read blogs from other teachers about their experiences and share any questions that I may have. I can definitely say I have that covered! I spend many hours searching for blogs about teachers living in UAE. My latest find was Black Girl in Abu Dhabi, I spent several hours reading about Haneefa's experience in Abu Dhabi. Her posts started on April 18, 2013 and I read every single one! The last suggestion from my recruiter was to join the Teach Away Facebook group. I can check that off too! 

Winter Break is in three weeks so I'm going to check out a few books from my library about Abu Dhabi & Dubai.  This was a suggestion from one of the many blogs I've read.  I'm also going to research GEMS schools and take some notes.  The three private schools I mentioned in an earlier post, are all GEMS schools.  My recruiter stated that I should receive another update within the next two weeks.

Until Next Time!

Thanksgiving Holiday

Thanksgiving was two days ago.  For the holiday we traveled to my aunt's home in South Jersey.  As much as I wanted to spend my day in the bed and rest, I realized that this may be my last Thanksgiving in the States for awhile.  Although, I'm looking forward to the change in living in a new place, one thing that I will miss the most, will be my family.  We cherish holidays and spend them together as a family.  Being apart from them, is going to be tough. 

Teach Away

If you're interested in becoming an international educator, you may want to sign up with a recruiting agency.  There are several agencies you can use, some are free, while others require a fee.  Teach Away is the recruiting agency that I'm using and it's totally free.

After reading numerous blogs, I decided to go for it!  On October 31st, I filled out my application on Teach Away.  I applied for the following teaching positions: Kindergarten Teacher (private & public schools) and Elementary Teacher (private & public schools).  By Monday, November 2nd, I received two emails requesting a pre-screen interview, for both the public and private school positions in Dubai & Abu Dhabi.  Both interviews went well and I was invited to an in-person interview in NYC for a position with ADEC (Abu Dhabi Education Council).  I was unable to gather all of the information in a timely manner so I had to pass up the interview. 

After speaking with the recruiter about ADEC, I was pretty sure that I didn't want to work in Abu Dhabi Public Schools.  However, I still wanted to attend the interview to get the experience.  Although the pay is good, there are just some things that are a little unsettling for me.  If you choose to accept a position with ADEC, you will not know where you'll live, work, or grade you'll teach, until you reach Abu Dhabi.  This is something that I can't pretend that I'm okay with, so private schools are my preferred choice.

The in-person interview for the private schools won't take place until late January.  I'm anxious and excited about attending this interview.  My recruiter sent me the names of three private schools that I'm being considered for.  I researched them all but there is one school that stands out from them all. I pray that I'm chosen to work at this particular school.

Please keep your fingers crossed for me!

Jen 

Where it All Began...

My dream is to travel the world, I love traveling!  The majority of my travels have taken place in the US, Bahamas, and Jamaica.  But I long to see other countries and visit different continents.  

Since the summer, international travel has been in the forefront of my thoughts.  I believe it all started when I joined a group on Facebook called Black Educators Rock, and from there, someone posted about another group called Brothas & Sistas Working at International Schools.  I joined both groups and begin reading about other teachers, teaching overseas.  I became excited from listening to their stories and wanted to learn more.  I began searching for different blogs, Youtube videos and even joined Periscope in effort to follow the everyday lives of these teachers.  

I've always wanted to travel and would tell anyone who would listen that I want to see the world.  But there was something in the way, my fear of flying.  I would rather get in a car and drive, than to fly.  I've come to the conclusion that I will no longer allow this fear to hinder my life and dreams of traveling.  I'm going to see the world, one continent at  time.  I believe becoming an international educator will allow me do just that.

I've started following some great bloggers and they are a great inspiration.   Some are very helpful as I have a ton of questions, and they don't mind sharing.  Some of my favorites are Kisha & Marla, who are both in China; Kia aka Black Mom in Vietnam, and Tanai who is in Dubai with her 3 children! These bloggers are all single women living their lives on their own terms.  It's time for me to do the same!  I remember sharing with someone that I fear "dying" before I actually get a chance to "live."  It's time that I stop existing and begin to live!  I'm excited about the prospects and can't wait to share my journey with all of you!

XoXo
Jen 

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog!  Come along and take this journey with me as I pursue my dream of traveling to Dubai and becoming an international educator!