Job Search...Month #1 (it was good, but difficult)

Hey there,

Well here is where I am at now...and where I have been going with my job searches.

1) 1 job with NCDSB as a Supply Teacher...but I need to get back to Canada to finish the hiring...the anticipation is brutal...London Catholic reached out...but won't conduct an online interview.

2) 1 job teaching online with QKids...easy money, but long hours.

3) 1 job (if I press on with it), in Guangzhou, PRC...not my most desirable location but they offer ON curriculum and a steady paycheck.

4) 2 interviews with English training centers that may help me with Summer work in China...this is important because I need to find a way to make it back to China each summer more conveniently...its a promise I made to the wife...and one I certainly plan to uphold.

5) A lot of application experience with Linkedin...actually very positive experiences! Thanks Linkedin!

6) The heartbreaking truth that I should have just gotta a MA...there isn't enough work in ON for teachers to support what my original plan was which was the PQP route in my career through having two Specializations.

7) The potential to...return to ML if everything hits the fan before June...this is in the wife's best interests...so she thinks...OH BUT THEY OFFERED A.uhhh "Pension Plan"? Or so they call it...ya...not exactly a real game changer, more of a "crowd fund" to keep the company alive...

8) Offers to work (serious/considerable ones) in Indonesia (wife won't accept that), South America (wife won't accept that), and other locations in China that...the wife is not okay with...

In total I have applied to over 50 jobs...ya..some I will admit I am not qualified for, but I am going to try because regardless of the expected qualification...I can do it...just need that gambler who wants to wager in favour of me. Not many of those these days unfortunately...Other jobs I have posted to are me trying to break into other career paths in Canada...which isn't easy at all because apparently one needs training in simplistic office tasks...ugh...I really hate "adulting sometimes"..

Tips:

Check out cover letter writing guidelines set out by the Ontario government...ya this would have been helpful in reassuring/putting to rest my fears and concerns of my cover letter...already knew it, but was just confident about my cover letters.

https://www.gojobs.gov.on.ca/Docs/OPSCoverLetterandResumeWritingGuide.pdf

Key notes,

1. Its a first impression

2. Its supplementary to your resume

3. Describe skills and knowledge you have related to position being applied for

4. Enhance your resume by adding a more "personal touch"

5. One to two pages

6. Use jargon

Teaching Online...Qualifications (Pt.3)

DISCLAIMER: Before continuing to the original post, please read this recent and disrupting message from QKids' Class Coordination Team:



Hey Folks,

When applying with Qkids, there are some restrictions to who they take...I know form some of the folk you might meet online who do this, you might think they will take anyone...to be honest-I think they would if they could however the Chinese Government has imposed (however minimal) restrictions on the hiring process.

YOU CAN APPLY BEFORE YOU ARE HOLDING YOUR TESOL CERTIFICATE!

Do I really need a TESOL?

For resources that the students could basically use to teach themselves or as some contractors have asked "why don't the parents just teach them?" its because there is an expectation that the students are working with "Foreign Experts". Now you are likely thinking well foreign expert in English...would have an English BA or MA, etc? You might be right in a country that uses English as a First Language. In a country where the first language is Mandarin Chinese, the second language is Cantonese Chinese and the third unofficial language is...English? (I only say that because English is seemingly an international language).

Do I need a Teaching Certificate?

No, but having one will often permit you to work with QKids without a TESOL.

Do I need a University Degree?

No, that is why we aren't paid what we would like to be paid when doing this full-time and not just as a side gig. Having university degree may permit you to not need a TESOL...in select circumstances...its something you would want to talk to your interviewer about.

_________________________________________________________________________________

After seeing the situation for what it is, I decided to investigate if a TEFL certificate was really worth it, I spoke with teachers from Ontario (that applies specifically to my own situation),

I spoke with the Ontario College of Teachers (again specifically pertaining to my personal situation)

My TELL Instructor from Trent University

I also spoke with TEFL.org, this is what they were willing to admit in regards to the reveled 168 hr. Online Course as advertised,

"Dear Carmelo

Thank you for getting in touch with us.

I understand it must be frustrating to have to take a TEFL qualification, but that is what many schools ask for. As you say below, you may be able to find work without one. As for the course being worth your while, I can only say that it is great course with tutor support all the way through and it is the standard qualification in the TEFL industry.

Regarding your other enquiry, I would recommend the 120-hour course rather than the 168-hour course, The difference between our 120-hour Premier Online TEFL course and the 168-hour Level 5 TEFL course comes down to accreditation. The 168-hour is an Ofqual regulated course, which has been assessed as a level 5 qualification according to their framework. Most employers abroad and online require teachers to have a 120-hour TEFL qualification, so both the 120-hour online and 168-hour meet this requirement. Ofqual is widely known in the UK, but less so abroad, so many employers would regard the 168-hour as the same as a 120-hour course.

We are also offering a 50% discount on the 120-hour course, you would just need to enter the discount code TEACHONLINE when you check out.

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Kind regards

Joe"

ML Pension Plan? I need to read this carefully...

Here is how ML describes the new pension plan...

"Beginning in September 2020, foreign teachers are eligible for a voluntary 3% matching pension plan, where the employee contributes 3% and Maple Leaf contributes 3%. These funds are held in trust by the HSBC (Hong Kong) and are limited in respect to the Pension Scheme, accumulate interest in an investment plan selected by the employee and must withdraw the accrued benefits under the Pension Plan upon resignation from Maple Leaf

The Pension Plan becomes vested at the end of the third year of employment with Maple Leaf. Upon departing ML, 100% of the teacher invested portions with interest must be withdrawn by the teacher and an increasing percentage of the Maple Leaf portion according to years of Maple Leaf service from 30% after the third year, increasing 10% each year thereafter up to 100% after ten years

Foreign teachers with consecutive years of employment prior to September 2020 may include these years of service in calculating Maple Leaf’s contribution when the teacher retires. For example, if a foreign teacher has worked five consecutive years prior to September 2020, and remains employed for three more years, the teacher would receive 80% of Maple Leaf’s contribution to the Pension Plan (5 years + 3 years). Teachers that begin their employment on September 1, 2020, and complete a 2-year contract, will receive their funds plus interest which they have invested in the pension plan but none of Maple Leaf’s portion. Foreign teachers begin to benefit from the company’s contribution after 3 years once the pension funds are vested. Only foreign ESL and certified teachers are eligible for the pension plan."

(Peter Froese, March/25/2020)

I inquired to see how "solid' this was with our Superintendent Peter Froese. In the past when ML was struggling with funds, they had taking away a benefit from deserving teachers...I would be extremely upset and SOL in the event that it did it to me. With a company like ML-I am inclined to believe that history indeed will repeat itself.

Here was my response,

"The Pension Plan will be an addendum to those on the 2019 - 2021 contract and it will be written into all new contract for 2020-2022 and other contracts going forward.  Hope this helps."

(Peter Froese, March/25/2020)

I researched this, and it rose a red-flag..sounded very much like something ML would pull:

You want a future-proof retirement savings option. Pension plans are subject to freezes, which prevent new enrollees in the plan, and buyouts, whereby employers offer a lump-sum payment to reduce the financial burden of long-term payouts.11 

(https://www.thebalance.com/what-is-a-pension-plan-2385771)

Could this happen? The investment is done through HSBC...Hong Kong...not Canada. Which also begs the question...what will the payout be in? All the money would need to be in HKD and then exchanged over...at a rate (obviously), which might ultimately take away from the REAL benefits of it.

hmmmm. the HKD and CAD are not exactly what I would call "strong currencies" and I don't plan on ever living in HK....

This is why the ML pension plan initially sounds worthwhile...

• You intend to stick with the same company for the long haul. If you intend to spend several years or even your entire career at one company, it may make sense to participate in the pension plan. This is because you are more likely to become fully vested in the plan, which would entitle you to use all of the benefits that you accrue in the plan.10
• You don't plan on moving. If the employment that makes you eligible for a pension plan is location-dependent—for example, if you work as a teacher, and the state runs the retirement plan—it may make sense to choose the pension since you will likely keep working in the same state.
• (https://www.thebalance.com/what-is-a-pension-plan-2385771)

Is this something that is really feasible for ML?

There are limits to the amount which can be held in a pension fund and the amount that can be contributed to it each year for a member without the imposition of certain tax charges.

(https://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/employers/managing-a-scheme/contributions-and-funding)

With staff will over 50,000 CAD a year, Principals clearing 80,000 a year easy. Is there a limit to a company with over 200 contributing employees all making over 50,000$ a year?

hmmmm....

This also tells me that what ML is doing is not really a "pension" but more so a long term investment...

"Here are some benefits of a workplace pension:

• Your workplace pension gives you your own pension that belongs to you – even if you leave your job in the future, it’s yours to keep."
• (https://thepeoplespension.co.uk/workplace-pension-contributions/)

Which is actually true...I have an OMERS pension..I can't pay into it...but it is mine, even after I left the public sector....Whereas ML states, 

"Upon departing ML, 100% of the teacher invested portions with interest must be withdrawn by the teacher and an increasing percentage of the Maple Leaf portion according to years of Maple Leaf service from 30% after the third year, increasing 10% each year thereafter up to 100% after ten years"

(Peter Froese, March, 25, 2020) 

This means that its not your own pension plan after you leave-you need to get paid out.

Furthermore this is a "Direct Benefits Pension Plan"

Defined benefit pensions

A DB pension entitles a plan member to a future benefit that is based on a formula. It might be something like 2% times your years of service times your average salary in your final three years of work, as an example. So, 2% x 30 years of service x a $100,000 final average salary would result in an annual pension of $60,000.

A DB pension is predictable and is not directly subject to stock market volatility for a plan member. When the pension begins, it is a pre-determined monthly payment.

(https://www.moneysense.ca/columns/ask-a-planner/what-you-need-to-know-about-your-company-pension/)

This is important to note because, 

Contributions you make to your DB pension plan re tax-deductible: They reduce your taxable income and generate tax savings. At the same time, pension contributions reduce Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) room so that pension plan members do not have an unfair advantage over non-pension plan members. The calculation of how much RRSP room you lose when you are in a DB pension plan is complicated, but basically it is a function of how much future pension you earned in the year and how much an RRSP contributor would have to contribute to their RRSP to receive the same future income

(https://www.moneysense.ca/columns/ask-a-planner/what-you-need-to-know-about-your-company-pension/)

Well, now I am little confused...what is ML offering?

Defined benefit (final salary) pensions

These pay a retirement income based on your salary and how long you have been a member of the scheme.

These are also known as ‘final salary’ or ‘career average’ pension schemes.

They’re generally only public sector or older workplace pension schemes.

If you belong to one, you’ll usually be sent an annual benefit statement by your pension scheme.

If you don’t receive a statement, you can request one.

The statement shows how much pension you might get. It might assume that you take your tax-free cash lump sum.

Defined contribution (money purchase) pensions

With these schemes you build up a pot of money that you can then use to provide yourself with an income in retirement.

The value of your pot is based on your contributions, your employer’s contributions (if applicable) plus investment returns and tax relief.

Defined contribution schemes include workplace, personal and stakeholder pensions.

Schemes can be run through an insurance company, master trust provider, or you might be a member of a bespoke scheme set up by your employer.

Your annual statements estimate the monthly retirement income your pension is on track to generate if you were to convert it into a guaranteed income for life (also known as an annuity).

The income on your statement might not assume that you take your tax-free cash lump sum.

You now have complete freedom over how you can access your pension funds if you’re 55 or over and have this type of scheme.

So while your pension statements provide useful estimates of your likely retirement income based on you converting your pension pot into an annuity, you do have other options.

(https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/check-the-progress-of-your-pension-and-retirement-savings)

In case that last explanation of the different pensions wasn't clear, here was a more informally worded one

Defined contribution – what you pay in is directly linked to what you get out. These are more common in the private sector and you’re not guaranteed any particular level of pension.

Defined benefits – these used to be more common and meant that you’d get a set amount on the day you retired, and you didn’t always have to pay in yourself. They’ve become much rarer now as many employers have closed their schemes and moved to defined contribution schemes, which are cheaper and less risky for them, but public sector pensions are usually a type of defined benefits schemes.

As a public sector worker, you’ll usually be offered a set level of pension when you retire, which may be guaranteed to rise in line with prices. Your employer will pay in for you, but you’ll usually be required to pay into your pension now too. If your employer offers you a defined benefits pension, this is likely to be the best deal you’ll be able to get.

Now the real deal breaker/maker...what does it look like against a potential ON teacher's Pension...could I gamble on such a thing?

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/personal-finance/retirement/article-how-does-the-ontario-teachers-pension-plan-stack-up-against-the/

Pro-D For Teacher Trainees of Rural China

Hey, this is a bit of a dated post-been busy..to say the least but in light of the virus situation...guess what!? One has time!

A while back now-I was asked personally to work in cooperation with Dalian Local Educational Bureau in their efforts to improve rural China's education through training and resource sharing.

Having guests from rural China is interesting, having to stand in front of them and give advice on English Language personal enhancement strategies-really takes the cake.

I don't know if it is a matter of, "well that was interesting" because of that fact that its been awhile since I have had a room of adults (in general) actually listen to me and take what I say seriously-or that I have actually been teaching the right way and I might have actually impacted a teacher or two.

I can't say I thought I was the best presenter ever (although I did have handouts stapled and photocopied" prior to the activity-so "props."

But in reality, people (some of which were very experienced individuals) who made a point of participating and chatting with me a bit during my circulating in which they were able to basically take away what I was putting down (regardless of how drawn out my overall conclusion would have been).

Nonetheless, I shared some resources with them in the activity (that I had made and created). I thought I might share them with you along with the main idea of what it is that the "BIG IDEA" was essentially becoming-originally the plan was that I was to share the ways of running reader's theatre, as well as other essential ELL training ideas. These teachers already had those tools in their toolbox, what they needed and wanted was someone to hear them and tell them that its okay to fail.

Resources shared are available on my teachers pay teachers,

(ELL Teaching in ON)

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/PLC-Presentation-on-What-does-an-Effective-ELL-Program-Look-Like-ON-Curr-5062706

(Active Classrooms and cross-Curricular lesson planning to engage interest based learning)

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/How-to-Budget-TJF3C-ON-Curriculum-Financial-LitTourism-and-Hospitality-5031026

(How to Talk About Mental Health in a School that Doesn't Want you to)

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/World-Mental-Health-Day-Classroom-Kicker-OCT-10-4863417

Job Search Day #01 (Officially)

Hey there,

With a goal to be back in ON, Canada-I am struggling to find how this will be a smooth transition from my current overseas teaching job to an interview with any board in ON. The reality is, I'll be hard pressed to score anything until I actually physically get back into Canada. With most boards conducting face to face interviews in Canada/specifically at their board office-I find myself helpless until I land back in Canada.

I did some research, I also reached out for a couple Q and A's with friends in the boards to inquire on the potentiality that the board would conduct an online interview. No, is simply what I have come to understand. This is super problematic and now I find myself, stuck, pondering and working with files and files of applications. part of me wishes there was a set of timelines provided for applicants to know when appropriate times to apply for these OT jobs are and what the time frames of interviews are so that those of us overseas, had an equal opportunity upon return.

Nevertheless, applytoeducation.com is rendered useless to me until at least May. Now I find myself looking to the private schools in hopes that they are taking external applications. With some of the private schools being international, I know for a fact that they are more willing to conduct online interviews (which is very important to me).

Go private for a year? Again, when I have been striving to get out of the private sector? Ugh.

Next step is looking to Alberta. But first here is the list of Private schools I am applying to.

https://www.ourkids.net/alberta-private-schools.php

https://topprivateschools.ca/province.asp?province_code=ON&province_name=Ontario

https://www.ourkids.net/private-catholic-schools.php#1

https://education.alberta.ca/boundary-maps/school-jurisdiction-maps/everyone/view-and-print-maps/

https://www.asba.ab.ca/school-boards-and-zones/school-boards/

https://www.alberta.ca/job-search-resources.aspx

Tutoring Positions in Lieu of Full-Time Teaching (ON)

Well, I was looking into potential tutoring jobs if I wouldn't be able to find anything else for the time being in Ontario...until...the virus messed up the economy and jobs...

Well here is the one I will be following up with (hopefully as things shape up),

The following is for the GTA.

https://www.teachersoncall.ca/site/become-a-tutor

In the meantime, check out my posts on Teaching ESL/ELL online...that is going well, not as good as better paying jobs...but hey-its a job.

20$CAD an hour-can't complain.

especially with the way things are right now...

Teaching Online, Payment...Pt.2

Okay, so you are thinking about Qkids but don't want to waste the time if the money sucks..well I won't lie-its not perfect. I am certainly way overqualified for this job as I am sure most of you feel the same way-no need to be humble-its a truth.

I personally feel that 20$ CAD an hour base pay is uhhh-well it could be better. Am I looking at how to make that number bigger? Heck yes...There are actually many ways to do that with Qkids...but that comes later.

Right now, imagine you're starting off and learning how things work-its about 20$CAD an hour. Truth. Goes directly into your bank, you claim your own taxes...that's also another post...

Each time you finish a class there is a potential 5$USD (on normal days/lessons) that one can make. Generally teachers are doing about two lessons a day or lumping classes together based on their schedule.

Note: I wish I knew about this in University...

It seems like a small an trivial amount but sometimes, its enough to bank roll beers or even that trip to the cottage for a week or so.

A bonus can come in two forms, 

1) Completion of lessons

Don't miss a class and get an extra dollar for each class you teach, this is the difference between a coffee or a beer at the end of the week for folks already working full-time, but for those of us putting in 7hrs+ a day, it adds up fast

If you do miss a class, you can usually get it waved as they have teachers on standby in the event something happens to you/your time in class

This is an example of hours available in the "Peak Season" which was March this year.

2) Reviews

Each parent/student have 1 dollar to award you when they give you a thumbs up, you usually get it even if they don't leave you review tags because they can "like" you and give you a star rating (5-1), again, makes a difference on the paycheck if you are putting in hours.

Steps to Teaching Online. Pt. 1 (Tech) Internet and Sound Equipment

For starters, what is your technology wherewithal?

Basics, they want to know what sort of internet you are running, in most cases you wholeheartedly know if your internet is good or not. Its pretty basic though, so I'll explain like this, if you can have say three or more devices connected to your WIFI and all watching Youtube videos without lag, you should generally be good. In all cases (especially interviews and demo classes), one should have an ethernet cable plugged into their device, however...sometimes its just NOT possible. We understand here at Qkids.

What one needs to realize is the limitations to "working from home" vs. "Working Anywhere"...so first-INTERNET

Examples of people doing it wrong...
1) https://www.roadaffair.com/travel-teach-english-online-vipkid/


As much as one does travel and teach or wants to, one needs to be aware of certain realities.

a) Wifi in hostels suck...and if you are travelling while staying places that aren't hostels...you likely don't need or won't want this job...unless you really love teaching.

b) Please understand that free WIFI is not always "good" wifi, it may seem good enough to search your YELP or Tripadvisor queries but trust me, it isn't going to be stable enough to run an online classroom for your students.

c) To use Qkids I need the computer software-yes that means Laptop or Computer Tablet

d) Productive learning environments seem arbitrary but they do matter. I won't lie this online teaching thing originally turned me off when I saw what some of these "referees" were posting...for example, one girl posted her completing her VIPKid lesson with some five year old while she was holed up in a tent on what presume is a dark day or possibly even night...
-->to pull that off camping, she likely had a mobile USB or hotspot SIM card

Second, HEADSET/AUDIO Equipment-its arbitrary really when you do get signed on, but EXTREMELY IMPORTANT when you are interviewing.

a) In the interview, have a professional looking headset (that includes a mic)

b) Bluetooth is good but not 100% error free, you want to trial run it a few times before using it

c) Some computers don't have a "aux jack", there are USB headsets available as well

Don't want to spend the extra cash (I didn't)...solve:

Go to walmart, amazon, best buy or some other electronics retailer with a return by 30-Days date...BOOM! Then go back to your apple earbuds/airbuds/whatever. I won't let you on and say that the apple headsets are better or worse-they are literally the same thing. In fact, some silly buggers use Bluetooth connections and say their headsets are the best...or vice versa they buy Bluetooth ready headsets for the extra cash...and never use it...it doesn't make a difference as long as you and your students can hear each other.

On a final note, you will see students with proper mics and headsets, sometimes, it is an expectation parents have-sometimes its the difference of an extra dollar on the class...but obviously that's impossible to foresee. I know parents who very much liked the fact that I had a nice Hair-do than headset...

My headset ;)...yes, it was originally intended for cleaning up and chirping in Call of Duty!

All the best!

Also please feel free to use my referral link to get your own application started with Qkids, reach out in the comment section below if you are interested in building a mentor-ship with me as well!

http://teacher.qkids.net/ref?code=DJHJLV

Go for Online Teaching..(Intro)

Here it is plain and simple. You choose to do something on a whim and it turns out to pay in thrice.

When the epidemic swept across the great nation of China I was here with my family. We were safe, but bored. We were already making plans to move back to Canada this summer, so with the time off work/on holiday I got proactive and began applying to as many different jobs across Canada (in regards to teaching) as possible. I was able to grab on one job-however it is not exactly "support the family" worthy. I have hopes but, who knows what that will look like in a year. 

Before landing that job though, I wanted interview experience. I applied to a school in Southern China, don't really think they were serious about hiring because of the epidemic, and then I thought well-I don't think I would do it, but the interview experience might be good...how about going for online teaching interviews, those could be new and inspirational.

Well, turned out they were interesting enough and it certainly took a couple trials, but I got there. I found a company that was willing to invest in me (in regards to some mentoring), and boom! Now I got a side hustle. 

The nicest thing about the side hustle is that you can hold your contract and take leaves of absence as needed; to mention its...well was...a completely untapped industry and companies were willing to bend over backwards for you if you really had what it took to serve on the roster. 

Looking at getting back to Canada I should have a gig lined up with QKids Online English Teaching (more a tutorial) and a supply teaching job :)

I'll be taking you on a bit of an adventure from here on to see what its like in the Online Teaching Industry.

Also please feel free to use my referral link to get your own application started with Qkids, reach out in the comment section below if you are interested in building a mentor-ship with me as well!

http://teacher.qkids.net/ref?code=DJHJLV

If you are not sure about tagging into Online Teaching yet, feel free to join a basic tutorial group on applications and job details here on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/212029223188958/?notif_id=1584675896392419&notif_t=group_milestone