American School of Dubai

The American School of Dubai is an independent, coeducational day school for students from Pre-K to Grade 12. It is located in a suburb of Dubai approximately 15 minutes from the business center of Dubai. They use a US based curriculum. The school has close to 1,000 students from the US and 44 other countries. 75% of the students are from North America. The school year is 180 days and runs from 8:00 – 3:00 for all students except Kindergarten. ASD is accredited by Middle States .The average class has 18-24 students. The student/teacher ratio is 11:1.

There are 93 teachers. The majority of teachers are from North America. The average length of stay is eight years.

Mission and Beliefs
ASD believes that education is shared between parents, faculty, administration, students and the school community. The school sees its role as that of challenging students to become “…intellectually adept, thoughtful and ethical contributors to a global society.”

Facilities
The campus is located on 8 acres of land. The school has three main buildings, two pre-K villas, a two-story library, and elementary art center, and two gyms. There are 69 classrooms. There are four science labs, four computer labs, a large library, and extensive athletic facilities.

Curriculum
The school uses a standards-based curriculum. It is a college preparatory school. ASD has a rigorous academic program. Elementary students have specialized instruction in Arabic, art, computer, music, library, and physical education. There are also special needs classes in math and reading, along with assistance for mild learning disabilities. The school offers AP courses. World languages include French and Spanish.

Extra Curricular Activities
There are extensive extra-curricular activities offered at all grade levels including athletics and the arts and sciences. Older students may participate in the Eastern Mediterranean Activities Conference. The EMAC includes athletics and the fine arts. Students may travel to other countries to participate in these activities

Technology
Technology is integrated throughout the curriculum. All classrooms are networked. Computer instruction is provided at all grade levels. There are over 500 computers in the school. The school uses a traditional approach to computers with the usual computer curriculum – typing, word processing, computer graphics, use of email and the internet, etc.

Professional Development
ASD has a webpage with a very extensive explanation of their PD program. I strongly suggest that you read it.

There are seven types of professional development: Professional development funds (teachers are given up to $1,200 per year for PD); Near East South Asia Funds; Targeted conferences; Professional development days; Job embedded professional development; Buffalo State; New teacher orientation

Employment
ASD is looking for teachers that have the following traits:
Preferably a US or Canadian teaching certificate
Recent teaching experience in an American or Canadian school
Experience in the teaching position preferred
Experience in coaching or supervision of extra-curricular activities

ASD attends Iowa, Search and ISS fairs. An interview at one of the fairs is required for employment.

Salary and Benefits
The minimum starting salary is USD$ 35,000 and the maximum starting salary is USD$ 41,500. The maximum salary on scale is USD$ 48,700

One step on scale for each two years of prior experience up to initial step 5 on schedule.

Benefits are:

• The school offers a cost of living allowance adjusted yearly. This years allowance is between $8,404-$9,878 for a single teacher. This amount is paid in Dirhams.
• Professional Development up to $1,200 per year.
• Dependent tuition free for up to two children
• Retirement is 18.2% of base salary is employee contributes 11.2%
• Life Insurance
• Medical Insurance -school pays 80%, employee pays 20%
• Dental – same as above
• Long term disability
• Housing allowance or housing is provided
• A settling in allowance of $8000 – 10,000 paid in Dirhams
• Transportation
• Initial airfare from home of record. At end of second year, home leave is paid.
• Shipping – initial amount of 800 pounds of air freight; final amount up to 1,200 pounds
• Immunizations, initial medical, and visa costs are paid for.
• Taxes – no local taxes

About Dubai
Dubai is one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates. It has the largest population of all of them (approximately one million). The city of Dubai is the capital of the emirate that has the same name. Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the Sultanate of Oman border Dubai.

The climate of Dubai is sub-tropical. The best months in Dubai are between November and March when the weather is warm and sunny, but not overly hot.

Dubai has a number of interesting attractions for visitors. Among these are: the archaeological sites of Ghusals, Al Sufooh and Jumeirah; the Bedouin Village; the Dubai Museum; the Dubai World Trade Center; the Gold Souk; the Grand Mosque’ the heritage and diving village in Shindagah; and the Jumeirah Mosque.

Expats are allowed to practice their own religion in the UAE as long as they don’t proselytize. Alcohol is served in hotels, restaurants and bars. The dress code is liberal.

Dubai is unique among the members of the UAE in that most of its income comes from tourism rather than from oil. Oil revenues are only 6% of the emirate’s income.