Is your heart set on teaching at a particular international school but poor reviews have put you off? Despair not!
Most international teachers agree that schools assume an atmosphere and ambiance reflective of the leadership qualities of the man or woman at the top. Schools can change, and usually do as a result of a quality director. A change at the top can make all the difference.
If reviews of your selected school were poor the last time you went recruiting, check again. Schools can evolve into quality institutions or dissolve into disrepute. Change is not always for the better—be sure to do your homework and gather all the information you can about a school before making a decision.
School leaders come and go, with change and improvement the usual result. How have you experienced changes that take place as the result of an incoming director? Share your experience
ISR Discussion Boards 
Yes, I agree with you. The best intended director in the world can be completely stifled by a powerful board with its own agenda. I worked at a school where the board was made up of expat corporate types, soo full of themselves that is was just sickening. They reminded me of the Bob Dylan song that says, “if you could stand inside my shoes for just one time….then you’d know what a drag it is to see you.” But they held power over the teachers and no one dared cross them…at least not visibly. And their kids seemed to have immunity from consequences…and they know it.
On the other hand, there are definitely some folks out there that wouldn’t even get an interview in the States, and here they are “leading” an International School. Leading it where? How about riding it down?
I’ve been lucky. Out of seven schools I’ve only worked for two directors that couldn’t manage a lemonade stand. The others have been strong educational leaders. Of course I didn’t always agree with them but that’s a different topic.
I did work at a school in South America where a director left and was replaced. The new person was just as good but with a different style. I suppose it all boils down to the luck of the draw.
I’ve read many reviews on ISR w where a new director came in and made everyone’s life miserable. I’ve never understood why the board didn’t can the clown but instead stood by them to the detriment of the teaching staff. I suppose the corporate types, whose company forced them to relocate to a new country when they really just want to stay home, have a fairly miserable sort of life and feel a bit better knowing no one else is happy.
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I AGREE THE ADMINISTRATION HAS A VOICE IN THE TONE OF A SCHOOL. HOWEVER IT IS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS THAT HAS THE POWER AND FINAL SAY. ALSO KEEP IN MIND THE “BAD ADMINISTRATORS” SEEM TO BE ABLE TO FIND EMPLOYMENT AT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT SURVIVE STATE SIDE.
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