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Pan American School of Porto Alegre

Oct20
2011 Leave a Comment Written by admin

The Pan American School of Porto Alegre is an independent, non-profit, co-educational day school for students from Preschool through Grade 12. PAS is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It is an IB World School with authorization to use the PYP. PAS was founded in 1966. The school has about 340 students; about 70% are Brazilian citizens. PAS has a 6:1 student/teacher ratio.

Mission
The school mission is to give students, within a multicultural environment, the opportunity to become successful world citizens.

image: ricardo andre frantz

Facilities
The school moved to a purpose-built campus in 2007. Facilities include new classrooms, playgrounds, a state-of-the-art gym, 2 computer labs, sports facilities, science labs, a library and a cafeteria.

Curriculum
PAS uses a fusion American and Brazilian curriculum with a student-centered approach to learning. The PYP was adopted in 2007. Elementary students have the traditional homeroom teacher for core subjects and specialists for other classes. The school uses an interdisciplinary team-based approach in the Middle School and High School. English as a Foreign Language and Portuguese as a Foreign Language are offered to all students. Advanced Placement classes are offered to High School students. Graduates receive Brazilian and US High School diplomas.

Extracurricular Activities
PAS has a full program of activities that include sports, arts and languages. A few examples of the activities offered are futsal, swimming, band, guitar, dance, yoga, soccer, Brazilian Model United Nations and science club.

Technology
Information technology is taught as part of the regular curriculum. PAS has two computer labs, three portable media carts and a computer in every classroom. The campus has a wireless internet connection.

Professional Development
No information is available on the school PD program.

Employment
The teaching staff comes from Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, England and the United States. PAS attends major international recruiting fairs, including the fair sponsored by The Association of American Schools in South America, the ISS fair, Search Associates fair, the University of Northern Iowa fair and the Queens University fair in Canada. The school also accepts applications directly to the school. Interested teachers should send a resume and notification of what hiring fairs they will be attending. Teachers who do not plan on attending any of the fairs, need to arrange for an interview with the school. Job openings are listed online, as is an application form.

Candidates should have a BA/BS in education, a teaching certificate and two years of teaching experience. Initial contracts are for two years. Salaries are not mentioned on the school website. Benefits include transportation at the beginning and end of the contract, reduced tuition for dependent children, shipping allowance, contract renewal bonus, annual airfare home, furnished housing, Brazilian medical insurance, a free lunch (yes, there is a free lunch), international cable in teacher housing and access to an activity program for teachers (hmm, what’s that?). The school says that teachers can save 10-20% of their salaries, but that some of that is normally used by teachers for travel during vacation periods. The school only hires couples who are both teachers, as one salary is not sufficient to support a family in Porto Alegre.

About Porto Alegre
Porto Alegre is the capital of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil. It was founded over 200 years ago and has a population of 1.3 million with many residents tracing their heritage back to a European migration in the 19th century. Porto Alegre has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and cool winters.

Among the points of interest are the Fundacao Ibere Camargo (a contemporary art museum), MARGS (a museum of local art) and the Museu de Ciencias e Tecnologia da PUC. The city has a number of shopping malls, restaurants, bars and pubs.

Posted in brazil, expat employment, IB World Schools, international schools, international teaching positions, schools with teacher benefits listed, south america - Tagged , , , , , , ,

Escola Americana de Campinas

Oct17
2011 Leave a Comment Written by admin

Escola Americana de Campinas is an independent, co-educational day school that provides educational services for students from Preschool through Grade 12. The school was founded in 1956. EAC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Regional Government Office of Education in Brazil. There are over 500 students that represent more than 30 countries studying at EAC. The student-teacher ratio is 7.5 to 1.

Mission
The school mission is to provide a safe and caring environment where students can develop into lifelong learners, responsible global citizens and critical thinkers.

image: Felipe Micaroni Lalli

Facilities
The EAC campus is 44,000 square meters of beautifully landscaped gardens and grassy areas. Facilities include a cafeteria, a library with over 19,000 items, computer labs, science labs, a gym, modern classrooms and sport fields.

Curriculum
EAC uses an English language curriculum with U.S. and Brazilian standards. Graduates of EAC receive an American and a Brazilian diploma. High School students can take Advanced Placement courses. EAC offers English as a Second Language and Portuguese as a Second Language. Standardized tests include the PSAT and SAT. Upper School students have character education once each term.

Extracurricular Activities
EAC offers a variety of activities that include Math Counts, Model United Nations, homework club, soccer, basketball, volleyball, guitar, robotics, dance, community service and cheerleading, among many other activities.

Technology
EAC is a wireless campus. Computer classes are part of the regular curriculum.

Professional Development
The school offers teachers PD opportunities such as bringing in outside experts for in-services, providing support for teachers to attend conferences and take courses and holding teacher-led workshops.

Employment
Job openings are listed online. EAC has over 65 teachers. Teacher candidates can send resumes to to talktous@eas.com.br. No information is available on salaries and benefits.

About Campinas
Campinas is a city in the state of Sao Paulo with a population of just over one million. The city has dry and mild winters with wet summers. Campinas is the cultural center of the region with a number of universities, a symphony, three theaters, choral groups, movie theaters, many libraries, art galleries and museums.

Posted in brazil, expat employment, international schools, international teaching positions, south america - Tagged , , , , , ,

Pinewood: The American International School of Thessaloniki

Oct16
2011 2 Comments Written by admin

Pinewood: The American International School of Thessaloniki is an independent, college preparatory, co-educational school that provides educational services for students from PreK through Grade 12. Pinewood was founded in 1950. It is an IB World School with authorization to use the IB Diploma Programme. Pinewood is accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges and receives support from the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Overseas Schools. The school has just over 200 students that represent 35 nationalities. Limited boarding facilities are available for secondary students.

Mission
Pinewood’s mission is to give students an American international education that enables them to achieve their personal goals in a multicultural setting that focuses on academic excellence, service, ethics and a respect for the local culture.

Facilities
The school is located in Thermi, Greece. It opened a new campus in 2008. Facilities include science labs, computer labs, a library, a gym and new fully-equipped classrooms.

Curriculum
The school uses an American liberal arts curriculum that is modified for its international setting. Pinewood’s student-centered approach features small classes and extracurricular activities. Elementary classes use the traditional U.S. organizational model with core courses taught by a homeroom teacher and classes such PE and Greek taught by specialist teachers. Elementary students take the International Schools Assessment annually. Secondary students take the PSAT, SAT and TOEFL. Graduates can receive an American high school diploma and the IB Diploma.

Extracurricular Activities
Pinewood has an extensive program that includes day and overnight field trips. Activities offered include basketball, soccer, film club, computers, Model United Nations, yearbook and much more.

Technology
The school offers computer classes as part of the regular curriculum.

Professional Development
No information is available on the school PD program.

Employment
Pinewood accepts applications year round on the website. Most of the teachers come from the United States and the United Kingdom. Interested teachers can send a CV and cover letter to adminstration@pinewood.gr. No information is available on the school website about expectations, benefits and salaries. Really, schools need to be more open about what they are looking for and what they offer.

Posted in europe, expat employment, Greece, IB World Schools, international schools, international teaching positions - Tagged , , , , , , ,

George Washington Academy

Oct14
2011 Leave a Comment Written by admin

If you are interested in working in Casablanca, George Washington Academy may be just the place for you. George Washington Academy is a private, non-profit, co-educational day school that provides educational services for students from Preschool to Grade 12. The school was founded in 1998. GWA is accredited by the Moroccan government and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The school has around 700 students; approximately 70% of the student population are Moroccan. GWA has a student teacher ratio of 13:1.

Mission
The school mission is to offer an American-style education that encourages excellence, integrity and Moroccan and American values.

Facilities
GWA has a purpose-built 5 hectare campus in the suburbs of Casablanca. Facilities include 60 classrooms, 2 science labs, an art room, a multi-purpose room, a library, computer labs, teacher housing, a 400-meter track, playgrounds, a soccer field, basketball courts and more rooms currently under construction.

Curriculum
The curriculum is American with a trilingual program. Elementary School students take coursework in English, French and Arabic. Advanced Placement courses are offered to High School Students. Graduates receive an American High School Diploma.

Extracurricular Activities
GWA has a range of activities including clubs, community service, sports, arts and crafts and student government.

Technology
The school has several computer labs and keeps up to date with the latest in technology. Computer classes are taught as part of the regular curriculum.

Professional Development
Faculty can take advantage of professional development opportunities through the Mediterranean Association of International Schools.

Employment
The school has a recruitment video online that shows the expat staff having a good time in Morocco, but nothing about what it’s like to teach at the school. However, you can read some comments by faculty members on the school website. GWA wants teachers that have the minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Education or a relevant field, a teaching certificate, classroom experience and are willing to make a two year commitment to the school. Job openings are listed online. An application form is online. Interested teachers can learn more by writing the school at dbult@gwa.ac.ma. GWA does most of its hiring during the winter months.

The school offers a competitive salary that is based on education and experience. Benefits include professional development funds, tuition discounts, language support and what else? They don’t say.

About Casablanca
Casablanca has a population of just over three million. It is the largest city in Morocco and the main port. However, Rabat is the capital of the country. Casablanca has a mild climate – temperatures range from a low of around 8 degrees Celsius in December to a high of around 26 in August.

It’s easy to get around the city and Casablanca a mix of the old and the new. When you are in the modern parts of the city, you could be in any city of the world. You can easily get European food here, as well as, of course, traditional Moroccan cuisine.

Posted in international schools, international teaching positions, Morocco - Tagged , , , , ,

Cayman International School

Oct10
2011 Leave a Comment Written by admin

Cayman International School is a private, co-educational day, college preparatory school that provides educational services for students from Early Childhood through Grade 12. CIS is managed by International Schools Services. The school was founded in 1994 and purchased by International Schools Services in 2004. CIS is authorized to offer the IB Diploma.

CIS has about 450 students that represent 24 nationalities; 30% of CIS students are Caymanian. The 44 full-time faculty members are predominately U.S. and Canadian citizens.

Mission
The school mission is to give students the opportunity to develop their academic and personal potentials within a U.S./international educational setting.

Facilities
CIS is a purpose-built school with a 13.2 acre campus that includes a technology lab, a library, 2 science labs, 2 music labs, an art room, 2 tennis courts, an Arts and Recreation Centre, a cafeteria, a gym, 2 basketball courts, a soccer pitch, well-equipped classrooms, playgrounds and a 25 meter pool.

image: Lhb1239

Curriculum
The school has a fusion U.S./international college preparatory curriculum that focuses on the indvidual needs of students. The educational program is organized in the standard U.S. approach with core courses and specials. Report cards are issued four times a year. Standardized tests are given to students from Grade 2 through Grade 12 including the ITBS, the PSAT and the SAT. Graduates of the High School may receive a United States High School Diploma and the IB Diploma.

Extracurricular Activities
CIS offers a range of activities including the school newspaper, swimming, tennis, soccer, basketball, dance, drama, homework help, art, math olympiad and more.

Technology
In addition to a technology lab, CIS has interactive smartboards in the school although they don’t mention whether all classrooms have them. Computer classes are taught as part of the regular curriculum.

Professional Development
No information is available on the school’s PD program.

Employment
Job openings are listed online. CIS hires teachers that are certified, dynamic, collegial, experienced with technology and have a high degree of professionalism. Interested teachers can contact the school at employment@cayintschool.ky. No information is available on salaries and benefits.

About Cayman
The Cayman Islands are a British territory (which makes it interesting that this school is primarily American based). It consists of three islands: Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. CIS is located on Grand Cayman. This island is a financial capital and a favorite tourist destination. Grand Cayman has plenty of beaches that are great for snorkeling, diving, fishing and just hanging out. The island offers an assortment of bars, clubs and restaurants for both residents and tourists. The Cayman Islands have a GDP of KYD 47,000, which is the 14th highest in the world. The Cayman Islands hold a popular jazz festival every December.

Posted in Caribbean, Cayman Islands, IB World Schools, international schools, international teaching positions - Tagged , , , , , , ,
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