Happy Teachers

 

Some stories and feedback from some happy teachers who've found exciting jobs abroad in the last few months...

Lisa's Story

Lisa is currently teaching in Malaysia but is soon off to begin a new adventure in Mexico!

'I came across Teacherhorizons purely by chance. I searched and clicked on several websites until I decided that I liked the look of Teacherhorizons. It was a good choice! John Regan was in touch with me within hours and the next day Alex Reynolds, who looks after English posts, emailed me. Following that initial contact, we had a very relaxed and informal chat on Skype and Alex encouraged me to complete my profile and apply for any jobs I liked the look of.  I also had a Skype chat with Eldon, who is in charge of SEN posts, and found that he too was informed, affable and really helpful.

I had my name registered with other International School websites and whilst I have had emails from them, they really lacked the personal touch.  For me, this is what has made all the difference. With Teacherhorizons, my emails have been answered promptly and all my questions responded to.  I have felt valued. There has been a personal connection from start to finish. I have now signed a contract to work at the American school in Durango, Mexico and I couldn’t be happier!"

Ayres' Story

Ayse is an experience IB Chemistry teacher from Turkey who's off to teach in Egypt!

"I had registered with Teacherhorizons a while ago but didn’t fill in much of my details on the website. After completing my profile very recently Alexis asked to make a Skype interview to discuss the possible positions and my preferences. That was my first Skype interview with no idea of what to expect, but he was so nice and a great guide providing all the necessary information about the schools and the positions. I didn’t feel like being interviewed instead, I felt like discussing the possibilities with a friend or a colleague. The next morning I got his email forwarding my profile to my top priority school.

The school contacted me that day and I was offered that position in two days. Now, I am getting ready to my first international experience with no worries or what ifs since I was guided and monitored at all times by Teacherhorizons. It was so fast and exciting and I am so grateful to Alexis and Teacherhorizons who I believe do their job very professionally but in a friendly manner. I recommend anyone who is ready to make a change and explore other countries to use Teacherhorizons’ services and sit back and wait for the process to be run by this professional team."

Nikki and Adam's Story

Nikki and Adam are leaving their school in London this year to take up exciting new IB positions in Portugal. Here Nikki shares her feedback...

Adam and I have taught in inner London for the past few years and were looking for a new adventure and a change for the next academic year. I kept an eye on all of the vacancies on Teacherhorizons waiting for two suitable roles to come up. I had worked with Teacherhorizons in the past and so when the right opportunities came up I contacted Alexis about putting us forward for the roles. We’d applied for several other jobs online and had interviews but hadn’t quite found the right match which is so important. Alexis was wonderful in supporting us in arranging interviews and even a visit to the school.   

After we were offered the roles Alex and Alexis continued to support us – spending time chatting things through on Skype and really helping us to evaluate our all of options.

Overall the process has been so personal and we’ve felt completely supported the whole way. No-one else has worked on behalf of us to put us forward for opportunities and to ensure both the school and teachers are completely happy.  We can’t recommend Teacherhorizons highly enough to other teachers in search of new job opportunities.

We’re both very excited about the move in August – thank you Teacherhorizons!

Nick's Story

Nick is currently teaching at The British School in Caracas in Venezuela and recently secured a job in Bangkok through Teacherhorizons.

“I had begun the long tedious process of scouring TES and other websites, sending applications and awaiting responses (which often never materialised) when a colleague suggested Teacherhorizons. After investigating their website I registered with them. I received a prompt email back from John Regan setting up a Skype interview.  The interview was very friendly but professional; I felt reassured that someone actually was going to help me in my job search.  

John immediately pointed me in the direction of a job in Bangkok that I was happy to apply for.  An email from the Headmaster arrived shortly afterwards, we conducted a Skype interview two days later and I was offered the post the following day.  After 20+ different applications, none of which proved suitable either for the schools or for me, I really appreciated the prompt assistance I received from Teacherhorizons and their accuracy in matching a vacancy with an applicant.

I thouroughly recommend Teacherhorizons and I'm sure John and his team can hlep almost anybody to become employed (or re-employed) on the international scene"

 

Tamsin's Story

Tamsin recently accepted an offer at a fantastic school in Sri Lanka starting Aug 2013.

“I had applied for a few jobs online and I had secured a few interviews before I came across Teacherhorizons but they weren’t in the exact location I wanted. I have always wanted to work and live in Sri Lanka and I spotted a position for Head of Geography at the British School Colombo on the Teacherhorizons website! I got in touch with Alex straight away to let him know that I would really like to teach in Sri Lanka and I filled out my profile online. He got in touch with me straight away and explained and offered support for the application process. Alex then got in touch on Skype and answered all of my questions about the school. Once I had been shortlisted for an interview he also put me in touch with another British teacher at the school so I could ask her any questions I had, this was extremely helpful to not only prepare for the interview but to also get a feel for the school and country to see if I would be suited to live and work there. I have now been offered the position in Sri Lanka and I can’t wait for this amazing opportunity. I am extremely grateful to Alex and his team for being so helpful. You have made applying for teaching jobs abroad a much more enjoyable experience. Thanks!”     

 

Tim's Story

Sarah's Story

Sarah recently took a short-term placement at the British School in Colombo, Sri Lanka. 

"Not only has my son taken his first few steps in Sri Lanka, I have had a wonderful time meeting new students and staff a truly inspiring environment to be in. Teacherhorizons are really focussed on placing the right person in the right place they care about the person and the position whatever their situation. I wouldn’t have thought I was that important being on such a short term contract but Alex made sure he followed up my placement, checking how things were going and offering any assistance should I need it. Needless to say I haven’t needed help and it has been a pleasure to be associated with them. I am already on the look out for my next post and am confident Alex and Teacherhorizons will play a key role in that. Thanks Alex!"

 

Morgane's Story

Morgane has worked and lived in France, the UK, Rwanda, Tanzania and Egypt and is married with two children.

I have been very impressed by Teacherhorizons. I heard about it on a Teachers’ forum so went to the website and filled out the teacher info. Alex was then in touch with positions that could interest me. I had previously signed up with other agencies but this was the first time I got real personalised support and not just random updates.

One position that came up was in an excellent school in Egypt and since I wasn’t happy in my school, I thought I would give it a go. Alex organised a chat on Skype and recommended me to the school. I had an interview the next day and the rest is History! It all went very quickly and the position I was offered was amazing, in one of the best international schools in Cairo with an excellent package. I received the good news on the evening of the 24 th of December and it was the best Christmas present ever! Alex was very helpful and professional throughout the process and I really am grateful for his advice as my situation was a little tricky.

I have recommended Teacherhorizons to my friends and would highly recommend it to any teacher looking at working overseas. It can be a bit of a jungle out there and I trust their judgement completely. They are not just placing teachers, they really are matching schools to teachers and vice-versa and that makes a massive difference!

I really am thankful to Teacherhorizons for the difference it made in our lives and will use their services again (but not for at least the next couple of years!)

 

Chris's Story

Chris is currently teaching in the UK but has just secured an exciting new job

Having recently qualified in the UK through the Teach First graduate scheme, I decided that I was ready to face my next challenge. As I had always wanted to work overseas, teaching in an international context naturally seemed to be the next step; although I wasn't quite sure where to begin. A few google searches later, and having trawled endless websites I arrived at the Teacherhorizons website. Having found an interesting post I expressed interest and submitted all of my personal information. I was incredibly impressed with the speed at which I received helpful feedback, prompting me to make some additions in order to make my application as strong as possible. A few days later I spoke on Skype with Teacherhorizons, who I felt were genuinely interested in my credentials and very keen to make sure that I was well matched to the school I had found. In keeping with previous performance I was quickly recommended to the School's Senior Leadership Team, which led to an interview with the headteacher.

I am currently in the process of preparing for my new role, and throughout this process Teacherhorizons has been on hand to check up, offer guidance and helpful advice wherever required. I really feel that the organisation is committed to ensuring quality posts with the best interests of both applicant and potential employers in mind. Overall a highly effective and dedicated team who I look forward to building a professional relationship with as the process continues. Thank you!

Dianne's Story

Dianne has just moved from China to teach in the Middle East.

I was coming to the end of my two year contract at a Chinese Primary Year Programme school when I needed to make a decision – whether to renew with the same school, move to another International school in the same city that had offered me a position or move countries and seek further experience and adventure.

I looked online and discovered Teacherhorizons, a new recruiting service that support teachers. After reading the selection of jobs and researching the schools they were advertising, I contacted the Teacherhorizons by filling in my details online. This in itself was a simple exercise but thorough in detail. Within weeks of publishing my profile I had both Alexis and Alex contact me, plus received online interest from a University in Turkey. The ‘Skype’ conversations with personal interaction I appreciated the most.  It meant a lot just to discuss the options available to me and I felt valued when given choices. I had someone to talk to about the position (positive and negative), the country I was hoping to move to and their interactions with the administration of the school. So for me I would say ‘personal service’ defines Teacherhorizons.

Anna's Story

Anna King is currently working at an international school in Cairo, Egypt.

“On a friend’s recommendation I looked up Teacherhorizons and realised I’d found exactly what I was looking for! All I had to do was fill one application to reach thousands of schools world wide then sit back and let the job come to me. I could access the schools and read details that are never available on other sites. Each school fills a detailed profile including salary, potential savings, airfares, the surrounding area, accommodation, health care, curriculum, culture, city information, leisure activities- even the average cost of a restaurant meal for two!

Immediately I started filling my application, I was contacted by the team. I can honestly say that being with Teacherhorizons has been like having your enthusiastic best friends searching for your next move, determined to get you the best and making you feel like you’re the best thing since sliced bread! I haven’t had to lift a finger. I’ve received regular updates, friendly advice and never once felt like a statistic. When I turned down a good job offer because it didn’t ‘seem like me’ there was no pressure, just friendly agreement and a search for something more suited to my needs.

One month after joining, Alex sent me details of a job he thought I might be interested in with an excellent package in Erbil, Northern Iraq. The school was interested in my profile with a view to interview. Ordinarily I’d have passed straight away but because such thorough details were available my husband and I could see the area was incredibly safe, (safer than Egypt according to the British Embassy and we haven’t had a spot of trouble here even with the revolution!), and the school was exactly what we wanted. John from TH personally contacted the Head of the school and was a major factor in my successful application with his professional recommendation. I am incredibly grateful to Teacherhorizons for giving me the opportunity to job hunt in the easiest and most secure way possible. I feel like I have friends in the world who will always be there for my career and who will take an interest in ME not just their figures. This time, I know where I’m going; I know the package, the area, the school and the job I’m going to.

My advice for any professional wanting to teach abroad; get on Teacherhorizons and let the world come to you”.

Katie's Story

Katie Wellbrook is a newly qualified teacher currently teaching English at a challenging school in Barnsley, UK as part of the Teach First programme. In August she is moving to Al Sahwa School, in Muscat, Oman.

“I was first introduced to Teacherhorizons at the Teach First conference and was amazed at how well it ticked all the boxes. I knew I wanted to teach abroad but was worrying about the quality of some of the already existing schemes and was also struggling to find the time that searching for a new job inevitably needed. Teacherhorizons were very friendly and helpful and the sign up process was impressively simple. Having spent many hours trawling through websites and applications, Teacherhorizons made the process very easy. They also helped me to consider completely different opportunities.

Only a few weeks after completing my profile, I was offered an interview with a school in Oman. The Middle East was not at all my first choice of places to teach but after numerous phone calls and some extra information that Teacherhorizons provided I decided to give it a go. The interview went very well and Teacherhorizons kept in touch with support and advice through the whole process. I accepted the job and am incredibly excited to be starting at Al Sahwa School in August. Having seen the breadth of schemes and courses available to teachers interested in teaching abroad, I think Teacherhorizons is great. They have made a potentially very stressful and complicated process very simple and I am confident in the quality of the schools they are linked with".

Whether you want to experience a new culture, excel in your career or just fancy a change of scene Teacherhorizons seems to have something for everyone; I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a bit of an adventure”.

 

Ron and Christine's Story

Ron and Christine are currently working at an international school in Peru but are starting a new adventure in Asia in August.

"My wife and I are experienced overseas primary teachers and have worked and lived in Kuwait, Pakistan, and currently in Peru. 

I learned about Teacherhorizons from a friend who asked me about a school Teacherhorizons had posted.  I went to the website and was impressed, so we filled out the teacher info in case something of interest came up before we resigned our current contracts.  We did that on February 25, 2012, and within just a few days Teacherhorizons notified us of positions they thought was a fit for both my wife and me. 

After expressing our definite interest to Alex we were then notified by the director of the school to set up an interview, and after that interview were offered positions, wonderful professional opportunities for both of us, and a very generous package.  As much as we love our current school and Peru, this offer and opportunity was too good to turn down, and we are very thankful to Alex and Teacherhorizons for recommending the director interview us.  

We highly recommend Teacherhorizons for their personal service to overseas teachers and their talent for matching teacher to school and visa-versa.  The other site we belonged to has a large selection of schools, but did not act on our behalf, where we only numbers and they couldn’t even tell us about ourselves or profiles.  Alex and Teacherhorizons obviously do their homework for both the schools and the teachers, and make it their mission to please both with the right match.  Their work will make a tremendous difference in our lives, and we’re grateful for it. 

Thanks Teacherhorizons!"

 

Helen’s Story

Helen Mullen is a Primary school teacher who has worked in Patagonia, Argentina, in the past. She is currently working at a Primary school London but is also moving to Kurdistan in August.

“Although I thoroughly enjoy my job and love teaching children in their early years of life, I also crave new challenges in a more creative and flexible learning environment outside the UK.  In January I started to search online for international teaching jobs and came across the Teacherhorizons website.  It is really easy to sign up and create a profile; it also has the added bonus of being free so there is nothing to lose. I was just keeping an eye on all the teaching jobs that were on offer when I received an email from one of the Teacherhorizons team informing me of a new opportunity in the Middle East – the email was entitled ‘Something a little different’ and was regarding an international school in Kurdistan, Iraq. The email really caught my attention and I contacted the Teacherhorizons team asking for more information.  

The school had a wonderful reputation and was offering a very generous package.  I received a personal call from the Teacherhorizons team giving me an opportunity to talk about any concerns I may have and help me come to an informed decision.  After this call Teacherhorizons set up an interview with the head teacher of the school and things progressed from there.  Throughout this process Teacherhorizons maintained constant communication to offer support and make sure all parties were updated.  When I accepted the job they arranged a phone call with me to wish me luck and offer me some advice.  I am very happy with the service they have provided enabling me to embark upon this wonderful adventure that will begin in August! Thanks Teacherhorizons”.

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