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Uskudar American Academy

Aug28
2011 Leave a Comment Written by admin

The Uskudar American Academy is a private co-educational, bi-lingual school that provides educational services for students from Kindergarten through Grade 12. It is accredited by the Council of International Schools and the Turkish Ministry of Education. The school was founded in 1876.

Mission
The school mission is to enable students to develop their potential, become lifelong learners, become bilinguals and be willing and able to use their skills and knowledge for the benefit of Turkey and the world.

Facilities
The school has three campuses: one for the High School and the Kindergarten, the second one for the Elementary grades 1to 4, and the third for Elementary grades 5 to 8. Facilities include a gym, playgrounds, sports fields, a library, a computer and science building and cafeterias.

Curriculum
The curriculum is a mix of the National Curriculum of Turkey with elements from international schools. The High School program is college preparatory with math, and science classes taught in English; other classes also use English in addition to Turkish.

Extracurricular Activities
The school offers a range of activities including Model United Nations, sports, arts, music and a wide variety of clubs. Sports teams represent the school in local, regional and national competitions. The school’s drama clubs participate in international festivals.

Technology
The school has wireless internet and all three campuses have computer labs. Teachers are issued free laptops for use at school and home.

Professional Development
The school provides PD activity focus on the bi-lingual, bi-cultural nature of the school.

Employment
Approximately 30% of the school’s faculty are overseas teachers. Prospective teachers need an undergraduate degree in their teaching subject and teaching certification for that subject. The school is also looking for teachers with international experience, who are team players, and who have experience sponsoring afterschool activities. Interested teachers can send a cover letter and CV to the school. Job openings are listed online.

Salaries are not published on the school website, but are paid in US dollars. Benefits include round-trip airfare, a $1,500 shipping allowance, an $800 settling-in allowance, visa reimbursement, tax-free salary, health and medical plan, free housing (generally on campus,although some teachers live off-campus) and a discounted teacher card for public transportation. An excellent orientation booklet is available online. An application form is available online.

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VKV Koc School Istanbul

Aug26
2011 Leave a Comment Written by admin

VKV Koc School is an independent, co-educational, bi-lingual school that provides educational services for students from Kindergarten through Grade 12. The school was founded in 1988 and is accredited by the Turkish Ministry of Education. Koc School is an IB World School. The school has over 2,100 students; almost all students are Turkish.

Mission
The mission of Koc School is to provide students with a multicultural, bi-lingual educational that will enable them to become ethical leaders and responsible citizens of Turkey and the world.

Facilities
Koc School has a large 750-acre campus in the outskirts of Istanbul with 120 classrooms, 19 special purpose labs, 2 gyms, 3 soccer pitches, 4 basketball courts, 2 cafeterias, 3 infirmaries, 2 libraries and 4 dormitories for the 196 boarding students.

Curriculum
The school offers a student-centered, consistent curriculum. Koc School uses both the Turkish National Curriculum and the IB Diploma Programme for senior students. Instruction is in both Turkish and English. The school has two sections: the Elementary School and the Lise (High School).

Extracurricular Activities
Koc School has an extensive extracurricular program. Students participated in at least one activity a week as a requirement; these activities are categorized as creativity, social service and sports. Some of the activities offered include working with NGOs, dance, drama, music, film making, Model United Nations, Archeology Club, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, skiing and more.

Technology
All classrooms are equipped with projectors, sound systems and connections to the school network. Some classrooms have Smart boards. Computer classes are part of the school curriculum. The school works on integrating technology into students everyday lives.

Professional Development
No information is available.

Employment
An ideal teacher at the Koc School has experience teaching a National Curriculum, has a university degree in the subject being taught, are willing to accept a two-year contract, and will be committed to doing an outstanding job regardless of the time or energy required. In other words, the school wants committed teachers who are clock-watchers. According to Turkish law, the school cannot hire teachers to teach Social Sciences, the Arts or Physical Education. This school is more a private Turkish school with some (70) foreign teachers. For some international teachers, working in a school like this can be a fascinating experience, for others it can be just a bit too “foreign” for them. If you are considering this school, you need to think seriously about how much of the exotic international life, you can really deal with.

Benefits include housing on campus, round-trip airfare, a shipping allowance, health and life insurance, free tuition for dependents, and an annual bonus. The school website notes that teachers are able to save a significant portion of their salaries while living in Turkey. Openings are listed online. An application is also online.

About Istanbul
Istanbul is one of the most fascinating cities in the world, and, sadly, one that I have never visited. The metropolitan area of Istanbul has a population of around 13.5 million; this makes the city the third largest in Europe. Istanbul is the cultural, economic and financial center of Turkey. It is located on the Bosphorus. This is the only city in the world that rests on two continents. During its long history, Istanbul has been the capital of the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Latin Empire, the Ottoman Empire and, interestingly enough, not the capital of the Republic of Turkey. Istanbul is one of those places where teachers can have an incredibly full life.

Posted in asia, europe, IB World Schools, schools with teacher benefits listed - Tagged , , , , ,

Bilkent Laboratory & International School

Jun29
2011 Leave a Comment Written by admin

The Bilkent Laboratory & International School was founded in 1993. BLIS provides educational services for students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. This school functions both as an international school for non-Turkish students and as a university laboratory school for Turkish students. BLIS is accredited by the Council of International Schools and the Turkish Ministry of Education. BLIS is an IB World School.

The international section of BLIS has 300 students with an average class size of 15 in the Elementary School and less than 20 in the Secondary School.

Mission
The BLIS mission is to provide an outstanding education that helps students develop academically, aesthetically, physically and socially.

Facilities
The school is located in the hills above Ankara. Classrooms are large and fully equipped. The Elementary School has 3 buildings that have separate play areas. There are separate areas for technology, music, drama and the visual arts. A new Middle School building is under construction. Other facilities include a gym, a grass field, a soccer pitch, a basketball court and a sport court.

Curriculum
The Elementary School has two full-time teachers (one native Turkish speaker and one native English speaker). This program uses the PYP. Students in Grade 6-8 are prepared for the two programs used in the High School. High School students study the Cambridge IGSCE in Grade 9 and Grade 10 and the IB Diploma Program in Grade 11 and Grade 12.

Extracurricular Activities
BLIS offers a range of activities for students of all ages including Model United Nations, board games, drama, chess and an assortment of other clubs. Sports activities include swimming, volleyball, soccer and basketball.

Technology
The school has a computer lab and ICT is taught as an independent subject.

The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations

image: Georges Jansoone

Professional Development
The school is committed to the professional development of the faculty.

Employment
Teaching candidates need to have a Bachelor’s degree in their teaching field, a teaching certificate and two-years teaching experience. The school offers a competitive tax-free salary and a number of benefits including a two-year contract, relocation allowance, shipping allowance, round trip airfare, free furnished campus housing, visa assistance, health and travel insurance, free tuition for children, free professional development, school-provided laptops, the possibility of saving up to 50% of your salary, a retirement plan and a contract renewal bonus. It would be nice to see the salary schedule, but the benefits are good.

About Ankara
Ankara is the capital of Turkey with a population of approximately 5 million people; it is located 1,000 meters above sea level. The city has four seasons with snow in the winter. Ankara is a blend of the modern and the historical. It has new air-conditioned malls, skyscrapers, the presidential palace and then it also has Roman ruins and the Ankara Castle. Shoppers can enjoy themselves in modern malls where they can purchase traditional goods as well as items from Western countries. The city still has many traditional markets where bargaining is a must. Ankara offers teachers a lot to do during the weekends. Some of what Ankara has to offer includes the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, jazz clubs, discos, bars, pubs and many venues where music lovers can appreciate Turkish music.

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

Robert College, Turkey

Jun28
2011 Leave a Comment Written by admin

Robert College is a private, co-educational day and boarding school that was founded in 1863 by two Americans during the Ottoman Empire period of Turkey’s history. Robert College attracts the brightest students in Turkey; many of the country’s leaders attended school here. The school provides educational services for high school students. RC is accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools and the Turkish Ministry Of Education. The school has about 900 students.

Facilities
The school has a 65-acre campus overlooking the Bosporus outside of Istanbul. The library media center has over 49,000 volumes, a theater with a seating capacity of 530, a computer center with labs, a gym, a fitness center, a multipurpose indoor court, science labs, 2 playing fields, 4 tennis courts, faculty housing and modern classrooms.

Curriculum
RC has a college preparatory curriculum based on U.S. standards. The program is five-years and is bilingual. Subjects taught include English, Math, Science, Art, Music, Physical Education, Turkish Language, Turkish Literature and Social Studies. Advanced Placement classes are offered.

Extracurricular Activities
Robert College offers a wide variety of activities including Science Club, Hope Club, the student newspaper, Model United Nations, English Dram Club, chess, yoga, tennis, hiking, soccer, basketball and more.

Bosphorus Bridge

image: kara sabahat

Technology
The main school buildings are wireless. Classrooms have internet access, interactive whiteboards and permanent projectors. Technology is integrated throughout the school.

Professional Development
Teachers are expected to develop their skills as a teacher and keep informed of recent developments in their fields of interest.

Employment
Teachers at Robert College are expected to be highly skilled and motivated in order to challenge the high quality students that the school is known for. Teaching candidates need to have a Bachelor’s degree in their teaching subject, a teaching certificate and experience.

The preferred way for obtaining employment is to send a letter of application, a CV and contact information for three referees. These documents can be sent to John R. Chandler, jchandler@robcol.k12.tr. Job openings are listed online. Teaching candidates generally need to be interviewed. The school recommends that serious candidates come to Istanbul to be interviewed. The school does attend recruiting fairs and interviews can be done there as well. No information is available on salaries and benefits.

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