Application Process

      After reading several blogs from other teachers, I have decided to create one of my own to document this new life adventure.  I have never used a blog before so I will be learning and adjusting along the way.  I began this Teach Away adventure after a coworker and great friend, Joanie, shared the information with me about Teach Away.  I began by looking up the company and reading any information I could find.  The Teach Away website and their page on Facebook helped with the many questions I had about the teaching opportunities available.  I chose Abu Dhabi as a possible teaching location because of the excellent pay and benefits along with the opportunity it would provide for learning about a new culture.  I am also excited to travel and experience the surrounding countries.

     I plan to use the first of my blog to keep track of the application process and paperwork.  I will include dates whenever possible to help those who are interested in my timeline.

Friday, February 3, 2012

     I completed and submitted the Teach Away online application and anxiously awaited word on a possible phone interview.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

     I  received an email Middle East Application Response.  This email arrived from my Teach Away contact from Canada asking me for further information and dates and times that I would be available for a phone interview should I make it to that level.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

     I submitted the necessary information and began reading the information I was sent on Abu Dhabi and the interview process.

Monday, February 13, 2012

     I received an email Teach Away AbuDhabi Pre-Screening Call.  This email informed me of the time for the phone interview which was set for Thursday, February 16 at 4:30 Toronto Time.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

     My Teach Away contact called promptly at 3:30 for my phone interview.  The questions ranged from why I want to teach in Abu Dhabi, to how do I handle classroom management.  She also asked what my classroom looked like with respect to student learning/participation.  She asked if I had been researching any information about the country and culture.  The last question asked me to give 3 words my fellow teachers would use to describe me.  I was told that I would be moving on to the In Person interview in Houston, TX on Monday March 12 at 2:00.  My Teach Away contact sent out an email that day with the necessary forms and paperwork for the interview along with a link to upload all of my forms online.  Now the fun begins!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

     I began by locating my birth certificate and sending off for a copy of my marriage license.  Where my original is I will probably never know.  The copy of the marriage certificate in TX was $21.00.  I also dug out both of my teaching diplomas, teacher certification, and had a passport photo taken at Walmart for $7.44 for 3.  I also purchased a CD for $2.97 with the passport picture on it for the many copies I would need over the next few months .  I also sent off for my official college transcripts because I noticed on my document uploading page that there was a link for transcripts if needed.  To be on the safe side I went ahead and ordered them $4.00 for 2.

Monday, February 20, 2012

    I went to a local printer to get a color copy in a reduced size which was $3.00 for 2 copies.  I now have a color copy that will fit on my scanner for uploading.  I was able to upload both diplomas and my teaching certificate after school. I also uploaded a reference letter from my current principal and contacted one of my past administrators for the second reference letter needed.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

     I plan to call Secretary of State today to find out exactly how to prepare the copies of my marriage license, diplomas, and teaching certifications for documentation.  These forms I will take with me to the In Person Interview in March so that I can head to Austin afterwards to walk in the Secretary of State office for authentication.  Normally you have these authenticated prior to the In Person interview but due to my upcoming interview being so soon my Teach Away contact said it was not a problem to send the authentication in later.