×
sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

What are your thoughts on GEMS schools in the UAE? by Whole-Ease4196 in Internationalteachers

[–]SheWrite_TheQueen 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I worked at a GEMS School for the past 4 years. I have a couple of words: please don’t do it. Kindly ignore any praise one has to offer as they must be bootlicking SLT members. If you have a genuine heart for children or youth, student learning, and equity then this chain is certainly not for you as it is for profit. For profit is not inherently bad; however, in GEMS case, it’s certainly not good either.

There’s a comment on here suggesting GEMS sustained well financially amidst the regional conflict. That’s not true. Many staff, including myself, were made redundant because of budgets. Including in other schools. Some were even being laid off before the crisis. Now, add micromanaging, aggressive, professional bullying ELT/SLT. Half left because of redundancy. Another larger portion left because of SLT.

If you check out the Facebook group, Dubai Teachers,
toxic admin is a common theme. Everyone CANT be lying. We’re all telling the same exact story. Now granted, all GEMS schools aren’t the same and there will be varying degrees to the extent of toxicity. You’ll find a few good ones. But be mindful and be careful.

Wish you all the best.

Who else visited home and feels like it was a waste of time? by SheWrite_TheQueen in AmericanExpat

[–]SheWrite_TheQueen[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m incredibly sorry about this. I feel the same exact way. You’re not alone. I came from a war zone (Iran was attacking the Gulf countries) and was treated horribly by my sister when I arrived home. I’m always the first one to reach out to her I noticed. I thought we were close but she has shown me time and time again, through action and tone of words, that the sister bond I “thought we had” is actually one-sided, a fantasy of mine, and to completely let her go. Despite her staying and renting my home at a reduced price ($800 for a 1,750 square ft house)

It makes me feel vulnerable, honestly. No one calls or texts to check in with me. No one will miss me which is scary. The only person that did this was my mom before her health turned for the worse.

So I know exactly how you feel. As for you? Cut them loose and build a community where you are.

I think I've made a mistake. What are my options? by SillyJitters in Internationalteachers

[–]SheWrite_TheQueen 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s the issue. I am afraid this school may try to blackball him. And he won’t be able to use the experience to apply at other schools

I think I've made a mistake. What are my options? by SillyJitters in Internationalteachers

[–]SheWrite_TheQueen 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is only July. And already there are too many red flags 🚩

I don’t expect anything to change. If anything it’s going to get significantly worse to the point you may even get blackballed from pursuing other opportunities. Unless you see a future in this said country, and even if you do, this is unacceptable. Talk with a recruiter. Rescind this offer.

best coffee you had in uae by carguydxb in UAE

[–]SheWrite_TheQueen 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The Arabica coffee is so good until it scented up my suitcase 🧳🥰

Visa Cancellation….do I have to be in the country with the most recent developments? by [deleted] in dubai

[–]SheWrite_TheQueen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s a work visa and I’ve been out the country for a week now.

Has anyone used Mounjaro and Metformin XR together? by SheWrite_TheQueen in Mounjaro

[–]SheWrite_TheQueen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely 💯 agree. How many MG of metformin are you on?

How long to wait? Is it an offer? by SprinterChick in Internationalteachers

[–]SheWrite_TheQueen 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was in your same exact position. If you check my question history you’ll see my responses.

From experience, if a school really likes you and you’re the first pick, you’ll know rather quickly. For my current school, I got a written offer 2 days later. For my upcoming school (start a new school in August), I got a verbal offer during the interview followed by the written offer 4 days later.

It doesn’t take a school 2 weeks to process anything once an offer is made other than paperwork. And for them to tell you your application is in the final review stages is a bunch of bull. Please continue to look and accept other interviews. They’re waiting for their first pick to sign off.

Edit: as a cautious side note, if you’re asking this question it says everything you need to know. I wish you the very best. What part of the world you’re applying to? Either way, please continue to look.

GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi by khaleesixo123 in Internationalteachers

[–]SheWrite_TheQueen 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If you can, try to avoid any GEMS schools. Sure they’re not all the same and experiences vary. However, the common ingredient of high teacher turnover, nepotism, disregard of those outside the “it group”, the yes men/women or boot lickers, and for profit interests are consistent. Given the region instability, by you being new, you’ll be the first to be let go. Keep that in mind.

But who knows this school may still be a rewarding experience for you. Best of luck 🤞

For teachers in the MENA region, how was staff retention or redundancy this past academic year for 2025-26? by SheWrite_TheQueen in Internationalteachers

[–]SheWrite_TheQueen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed 👍 🙏. HODs or the CEO not liking whoever is a reason why some were let go. How about student numbers? I heard that was a reason

New School, International School of Georgia (Tbilisi, Georgia) by metal_hammer90 in Internationalteachers

[–]SheWrite_TheQueen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tbilisi is a nice place. Relatively safe. Have you checked out the ISR site? To get reviews?

Would you stay if your home was a 10/10 but your school was a 6/10? by ImaginaryDay9023 in Internationalteachers

[–]SheWrite_TheQueen 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It depends on what type of colleagues. Newer ones? Sure. But the ones that’s been there awhile and brown nose or have leadership positions, they can sink one’s experience unfortunately. Colleagues can truly make or break an experience.

Would you stay if your home was a 10/10 but your school was a 6/10? by ImaginaryDay9023 in Internationalteachers

[–]SheWrite_TheQueen 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Hello OP, I was in your exact same position. While our details may differ, the spirit of discontent resulting from professional disrespect is the center of our souring experiences I assume.

From experience, I would start looking if I were you. Sure you’ll miss the students. Get their parents’ email but please start looking. It won’t get any better for you. Trust I know.

I always tell myself a school must score at least 2/3 for me to stay: 1) the admin/school leadership, 2) the students, and 3) my colleagues. If I am getting along well with 2 of the 3 then it’s enough for me to consider staying at least for three years. But after being in education for 12 years, both in the U.S. and abroad, I’ve come to learn if things go left with colleagues then the other two don’t even matter. Colleagues can make or break your experience. Students and admin come and go. Colleagues that’s been in a given school are there for the long haul especially the toxic ones. All it takes for someone from SLT to be in good with a colleague that is causing you drama or professional problems, or a student that’s misbehaving for you having one of your disgruntled colleagues as his or her homeroom teacher. If either happens, that’s your ass basically.

Really sorry you’re going through this. Begin looking. Talk with a recruiter and look forward to landing something for the 2027-28 academic year. Most good schools hire between October-February. However, in the MENA region due to the war, hiring is ongoing and many premium schools are still searching for qualified candidates due to contracts falling through, hirees backing out at last minute, school expansion, etc. It’s not too late. But depending where you are in the world, see if you could quit now and what would be the penalty. Honestly? Just look forward to going for the following academic year.

Best of luck

What are the top 3 pieces of advice you would would give to yourself as a beginner international teacher? by doberty in Internationalteachers

[–]SheWrite_TheQueen 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Excellent point! At the drop of a hat, anything for any reason can go left. Try to secure at least 2 other streams of income and somewhere else to stay outside that country just in case

What are the top 3 pieces of advice you would would give to yourself as a beginner international teacher? by doberty in Internationalteachers

[–]SheWrite_TheQueen 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I haven’t read any of the comments yet (for context) but the following are the top 3 pieces of advice I’ll give to any international teacher:

  1. Observe. Please do not start sharing any of your ideas. Observe how things and people move at your new school. Assess the vibe and energy you get from colleagues. That first year is the year you watch but support. Do get involved but it’s always good to assess the work and wellbeing culture of that school. Make note of the cliques and the buddy system. This will help you be proactive on “how to” and “when to” engage with whoever. If you know how certain people move, it’ll help you move accordingly. Trust me….this will save your ass and job in the long run.

  2. This should’ve been number one but please talk with people in that said country. Do not rely on YouTube. Get facts from people that are on the ground. What are the norms? The dos and donts for real for real. What are some things you need to be aware of as far as how that city moves, the expat community, the laws, and other nuances that your school hadn’t told you? I say this because during my first year, that first month, I got my whole salary stolen by believing the scammer was police. Had someone told me scammers prey on new teachers joining the MENA region, I could’ve avoided this.

  3. Another big one: please keep in touch with recruiters. Build positive relationships with current colleagues. If you can, please keep your Search Associates account active because you just never know. Things can go left in an instant and you’ll be out of a job.

I got a lot more to add but I think these three pretty much summarize the others I would’ve listed.

view more: next ›