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The International American School of Cancun

Dec02
2011 Leave a Comment Written by admin

The International American School of Cancun is a private, non-profit, non-sectarian, co-educational day school for students from Grade Seven through Grade 12. The school was founded in 1998 and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Ministry of Eduction and the National Autonomous University of Mexico. There are approximately 270 students in the school with the majority being Mexican citizens. There is a small international population in the school from Canada, the U.K., the United States and other countries.

image: keith pomakis

Mission
IAS offers a bilingual, multinational environment where students receive an outstanding education that instills a lifelong love of learning and a sense of global responsibility.

Facilities
Facilities include two buildings with 15 classrooms, a library, a school psychologist, an auditorium, a cafeteria, science labs, computer labs, a sports field and a basketball court.

Curriculum
The school has a bilingual, bicultural American-style curriculum that prepares students for further education in both the United States and Mexico. Graduates receive a U.S. diplomat and a Mexican preparatory certificate. A few Advanced Placement courses are offered for senior students. IAS has a Spanish as a Second Language for students who need assistance with Spanish. Most of the classes for students in Grade 10 through Grade 12 are taught in English.

Extracurricular Activities
IAS offers a range of after school activities including Model United Nations, community service, National Honor Society, soccer, basketball, volleyball, ping pong, pilate, student council and golf. Sports teams compete with local teams and members schools of the American Schools of Mexico organization.

Technology
IAS has computer labs and computer courses are part of the regular curriculum. Students may broing their own laptops to the school with the permission of the teacher.

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

Employment
IAS wants dedicated and flexible teachers. They recruit regularly. Interested teachers should send a cover letter and resume to inquiries@iasces.com. No information is offered on salaries, benefits or the expectations for teachers.

Teachers come from the United States, Mexico, England and Canada. The school website makes it clear that living and working in Cancun may be a challenge for teachers who are not used to working overseas in a city that lacks some of the resources that teachers have in the United States, Canada or the U.K.

About Cancun
Cancun is a popular, internationally-known resort community in southern Mexico. It ts a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches, Mayan ruins, outdoor activities and great nightlife.The school notes on the website that despite all this, many of the Western amenities that Westerners might want are lacking, and it can be difficult for some teachers not accustomed to working in developing countries to adjust to life in Cancun.

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Colegio Americano de Torreon (The American School of Torreón)

Aug14
2011 Leave a Comment Written by admin

The Colegio Americano de Torreón was founded in 1950 and is a non-profit, co-educational, non-denomination day school providing educational services for students from Prekindergarten through Grade 12. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Secretary of Education of Mexico.

CAT has over 1,300 students; 97% of the students are Mexican nationals. The school has approximately 100 teachers; about 25% are from the United States.

Mission
The school’s mission is to teach students a college preparatory curriculum that will enable them to become successful in the global environment of the 21st century.

Facilities
CAT has a new 25-acre campus in Los Vinedos. Facilities include 33 classrooms, 7 science labs, 3 computer labs, 2 libraries, 2 gyms, a swimming pool, a cafeteria, art and music rooms, tennis courts, sports fields, basketball courts, a 400m track and more. A new Primary facility was completed in 2006. Take a look at the recruiting video to see the campus – it looks impressive.

Curriculum
The school uses a college preparatory curriculum similar to that found in the United States and instruction is primarily in English. CAT has a gifted and talented program for students in grades 3-6. Students that graduate from CAT receive both an American High School diploma and the Mexican Bachillerato diploma.

Extracurricular Activities
CAT offers a range of activities for students including student council, Model United Nations, National Honor Society, band, choir, jazz, soccer, tennis, fine arts, chess club and much more. CAT is a member of ASOMEX and participates in athletic, academic and cultural competitions and exchanges.

Technology
Classrooms have internet access; many have LCD projects and Smartboards. The three computer labs use the Windows OS. Computer classes are part of the regular curriculum.

Professional Development
CAT supports professional development for the faculty in several ways. Teachers may pursue an advanced degree through the SUNY Masters Program or through a program at a local university. Other options for PD include regional workshops and conferences, in-services, and visiting consultants.

Employment
CAT wants teachers that have a university degree, are credentialed, are American or Canadian citizens, don’t have dependents and have two years teaching experience. The school prefers teaching couples with ESL experience. A good recruiting video online will give you an idea of what it’s like to work at CAT and live in Torreon. Job openings are listed online, or interested teachers can send their resume and references to Makhlouf Ouyed, the General Director, at makhlouf.ouyed@cat.mx.

Initial contracts are for two years. Salaries are minimal at CAT: they go from $21,000 to $28,000 a year; 50% is paid in USD and 50% in pesos. The peso part of the salary is taxed at the rate of 17%. Benefits include furnished housing, a relocation allowance of $100, a major medical plan, round trip transportation, a cell phone, a Christmas bonus of one-fourth of the monthly salary, a contract completion bonus of $1,000, Mexican Social Security, free Spanish classes, subsidized gym fee, personal household insurance and sick and emergency leave. New teachers should be aware that CAT is a non-smoking campus. A teacher recruitment book is available online.

About Torreon
Torreon is located in the Coahuila region in northern Mexico. The city is an industrial and agricultural center with a population of about 600,000. It has a diverse population and is within easy commuting distance of Houston, Dallas and LA. While Torreon may not have some of the colonial attractions of other cities in Mexico, it does have shopping malls, grocery chains, movie theaters, a wide variety of restaurants and the usual favorite American fast food chains.

The weather stays between the high 70s and low 90s so it’s perfect for people that like warm weather and a lot of outdoor activities. The city is close to the Coahuila Desert the Jimulco Sierra, the Bilbao Dunes, the Acatita Dunes and other natural attractions.

Posted in American international schools, international schools, international teaching positions, schools with teacher benefits listed, schools with teacher salary schedules online - Tagged , , , , , , ,

John F. Kennedy School Queretaro

Aug12
2011 Leave a Comment Written by admin

John F. Kennedy School Queretaro is a private, non-profit, co-educational day school that provides educational services for students from Early Childhood through Grade 12. JFK was founded in 1964 and is accredited by AdvancED, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Mexican Secretary of Education. JFK is an IB World School with authorization to use the IB Diploma Programme.

The school has almost 1,500 students: 83% of the students are Mexican nationals. There are 143 teachers at JFK: 75% are Mexican nationals, 20% come from the United States and Canada and 5% come from other countries around the world.

Mission
The school’s mission is to give students a high quality bilingual education based on a U.S. model that will allow students to develop the knowledge and skills that will enable them to become prepared for a successful future in which they are lifelong learners and responsible global citizens.

image: pedro jacob

Facilities
The school is located on 12-acre campus with five distinct areas: Early Childhood Eduction, Elementary Education, Middle School Education and High School Eduction. Facilities include sports fields, and indoor sports/theater complex, a student health center, a library/media center, a radio station, a photography lab, music rooms, 3 computer labs, 3 science labs, 57 classrooms, a multipurpose auditorium, art rooms, and more. This is a school with some impressive facilities.

Curriculum
JFK has a bilingual U.S.-style curriculum that meets the requirements of high quality public schools in the United States as well as the requirements of the Mexican Ministry of Education. Students in Grade 11 and Grade 12 can take the IB Diploma Programme. The school uses a number of standardized tests including the SAT.

Extracurricular Activities
JFK has an after school program for students starting from the fourth grade. Activities include track and field, basketball, soccer, volleyball, ballet, tae-kwon-do, jazz, Model United Nations, student council and cheerleading. The school is a member of ASOMEX.

Technology
JFK has three computer labs on campus. Classrooms have computers with internet access. Computer classes are part of the regular curriculum.

Professional Development
The school offers teachers a wide variety of professional development activities.

Employment
JFK is looking for motivated and qualified teachers; approximately 36% of the school’s teachers are from English speaking countries. Teaching candidates should be credentialed and experienced. Initial contracts are for one year. JFK is located in a conservative community, and the school website notes that teachers are expected to be role models and must be well groomed. The school lists openings online. JFK attends international recruiting fairs.

The school does not give specific salary information other than to say that salaries are paid bimonthly and that teachers receive 12% of their salary in food coupons as an addition to their salaries. Benefits include an annual transportation allowance of $800 USD, life insurance, accident insurance, medical insurance, furnished housing and basic utilities.

About Queretaro
Queretaro was founded during the colonial period around 1531. It has a population of about 600,000 and has a high rate of growth. Queretaro is a university city with many schools, museums, art galleries, coffee houses, theatres and historical sites. Mexico City is a three-hour bus ride away, and coastal towns are about six hours away.

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American School of Puerto Vallarta

Aug11
2011 Leave a Comment Written by admin

The American School of Puerto Vallarta is a private, independent, non-profit, co-educational day school that provides educational services for students from Preschool through Grade 12. ASPV was founded in 1986, and it is accredited by the Mexican Ministry of Education, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the National University of Mexico.

There are about 350 students in the school; about 72% of those are Mexican. Most of the teachers come from the United States, Canada or Mexico.

Facilities
The school has 5 buildings that contain 25 classrooms, 2 libraries, 2 science labs, 2 computer labs, sports courts, a preschool play area, 7 acres of grounds for sports, a cafeteria, and an open-air theatre.

Curriculum
The school uses a dual curriculum which is similar to those of top-level private and public U.S. schools and also meets the standards of the Mexican Ministry of Education. Advanced Placement courses are offered to students in the High School. Graduating students receive both a U.S. diploma and a Mexican preparatory certificate.

Extracurricular Activities
The school offers a wide range of activities that include tennis, soccer, basketball, baseball, guitar, drum, chorus, community service, National Honor Society, and more. Competitive sports takes place in the American Schools of Mexico league, as well as local leagues.

Technology
ASPV is another school that is committed to integrating technology into the curriculum and the daily practices of teachers. One of the things that I find interesting at ASPV is the use of digital gradebooks so that students and parents can access grades twenty-four hours a day via the internet. I’ve long been an advocate for giving students more responsibility for learning and their grades by letting them know exactly where they are. I used a program in my last two schools that let me do that, and ASPV is doing the same thing. The school has wireless internet in the upper school and over 120 computers on campus, both in the labs and the classrooms.

Professional Development
Teachers are encouraged to work on PD through an on-site Master’s degree program and by attending conferences off-site.

image: Stan Shebs

Employment
Unfortunately, ASPV is one of those schools that seems to think that their school doesn’t need to let prospective teachers know about salaries, benefits and working conditions. I say this because the school website has no information on teaching at ASPV other than what follows. The school regularly recruits teachers. They have an application online. Interested candidates can send the application and a resume to gsel@aspv.edu.mx.

About Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is a well-known resort town on the Pacific Ocean. The small population of around 250,000 makes the city easy to live in. PV has a tropical wet and dry climate. The months of July through September are hot and humid; other months have a pleasant climate. Tourism accounts for about 50% of the city’s economy. PV is especially popular with Americans from the West Coast and domestic tourists from within Mexico. For teachers that like nightlife, there are many excellent restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs. Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of the many beaches, golf courses, and lovely weather.

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American School Foundation of Monterrey

Aug09
2011 Leave a Comment Written by admin

The American School Foundation of Monterrey is a private, non-profit, co-educational day school that was founded in 1928 and provides educational services to students from Nursery through Grade 12. The school is accredited by Advancing Excellence in Education Worldwide, the Secretaria de Educacion Publica and the Universidad de Monterrey.

The school has approximately 2,400 students; about 87% of the students are Mexican. ASFM has 215 teachers. Class sizes range from 20-25 students.

Mission
The school mission is to provide students with a U.S.-style education that will inspire them to become environmentally aware, responsible and honest.

Facilities
ASFM has two campuses: one for Nursery through Grade 5, and the second for Grade 6 through Grade 12. The campuses are about a 15 minutes drive apart. The new Elementary School looks incredibly cool. Take a look at the video. The Middle School/High School campus is a state-of-the-art facility with 10 science labs, 6 computer labs, 62 classrooms, a theatre, a 500-seat auditorium, 54 wireless MacBooks, sports fields, a gym, a library, and more Mac computers.

Curriculum
The school uses a U.S.-style college preparatory curriculum based on standards and benchmarks sourced from McREL Content Knowledge. The program is academically rigorous, especially in the Middle School and High School. High School courses meet the requirements for both a Mexican diploma and a U.S. diploma.

Extracurricular Activities
ASFM offers a variety of after school activities that include intramural sports like soccer and basketball, arts and crafts, web design, Girl Scouts, academic activities and competitive sports in leagues around Monterrey and in the ASOMEX league around Mexico.

Technology
ASFM is committed to integrating technology across the curriculum. The school has two portable MacBook labs, 6 computer labs, and additional computers around the school. This school is all Mac.

Professional Development
The school supports the professional development of the faculty and provides a variety of opportunities for teachers including in-services, visiting consultants, outside workshops and conferences, and advanced degree coursework as well.

Employment
The school lists openings online. Teachers that are interested in working at ASFM can send a resume with reference letters to the contact address listed under the job opening on the website. ASFM attends the University of Northern Iowa and Queen’s fairs and does most of their hiring at these fairs; they occasionally attends the ISS fairs.

Initial contracts are two years. The school website doesn’t list the salary schedule, but it notes that 2/3 of a teacher’s salary is paid in Mexican pesos. Benefits include food coupons to be used at most food stores in Monterrey, a matched savings plan, major medical insurance, accident insurance, transportation to school and a housing allowance.

New teachers are assigned apartments and single teachers are assigned a roommate as well unless the incoming teacher makes a specific request for single housing. Take a look at the recruiting videos.

About Monterrey
Monterrey is the industrial center of Northern Mexico and has a population of around 5 million. It is surrounded by mountains and has hot summers and mild winters. The school is situated in a good neighborhood in the suburbs with plenty of shopping and entertainment in the area. Many Mexicans in Monterrey speak English, although it is a good idea to learn Spanish. The city has museums, bullfighting, professional baseball, soccer, theaters, restaurants, clubs and pubs. There are many outdoor activities for teachers such as hiking, climbing and mountain biking. For those teachers who have just arrived and may be worried about eating in restaurants, the city does have the American favorites, McDonald’s and KFC.

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