Thursday, January 26, 2023
  • Login
School Management Plus: School & education news worldwide
  • Home
  • Latest
  • Leaders
    • Heads & Governors
    • Admissions & Marketing
    • Bursars & Finance
    • Staff Recruitment
    • Development & Fundraising
    • Alumni Relations
    • Communications & PR
    • Estate Management
    • School Data Management
  • Educators
    • Safeguarding
    • College Counselling
    • Online Learning
    • Early Years
    • Exams & Qualifications
    • Assessment
    • Inclusion
    • Sports and Outdoors
  • International
    • The View From Here
    • Wellbeing
    • Curriculum Design
    • Overseas Development
    • Staff Recruitment
    • EdTech
  • Your School
    • Are you a Kampus24 School?
    • Spotlight on a School
    • 30 minutes with…
    • Partnerships & Outreach
    • School News & Announcements
  • Jobs
    • Place a Vacancy
    • View Vacancies
    • Movers & Shakers
    • CPD
  • Video & Podcast
    • Inspiring Leadership
    • School Leaders
    • Membership Bodies
    • The ABC of Safeguarding
    • The Friday Club
  • Resources
    • From Our Partners
    • Supplier Directory
    • Events Calendar
  • About
    • Editorial Board
    • Associations & Distribution
    • Our Publications
      • International School Magazine
      • School Management Plus Magazine
      • Wellbeing in International Schools Magazine
      • WISEducation newsletter
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Latest
  • Leaders
    • Heads & Governors
    • Admissions & Marketing
    • Bursars & Finance
    • Staff Recruitment
    • Development & Fundraising
    • Alumni Relations
    • Communications & PR
    • Estate Management
    • School Data Management
  • Educators
    • Safeguarding
    • College Counselling
    • Online Learning
    • Early Years
    • Exams & Qualifications
    • Assessment
    • Inclusion
    • Sports and Outdoors
  • International
    • The View From Here
    • Wellbeing
    • Curriculum Design
    • Overseas Development
    • Staff Recruitment
    • EdTech
  • Your School
    • Are you a Kampus24 School?
    • Spotlight on a School
    • 30 minutes with…
    • Partnerships & Outreach
    • School News & Announcements
  • Jobs
    • Place a Vacancy
    • View Vacancies
    • Movers & Shakers
    • CPD
  • Video & Podcast
    • Inspiring Leadership
    • School Leaders
    • Membership Bodies
    • The ABC of Safeguarding
    • The Friday Club
  • Resources
    • From Our Partners
    • Supplier Directory
    • Events Calendar
  • About
    • Editorial Board
    • Associations & Distribution
    • Our Publications
      • International School Magazine
      • School Management Plus Magazine
      • Wellbeing in International Schools Magazine
      • WISEducation newsletter
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
School Management Plus: School & education news worldwide
No Result
View All Result
Home International Schools

‘At times, I have felt overwhelmed and exhausted’

Jess Gosling reflects on the challenges - and positives - of switching to a new international teaching job

Jess Gosling by Jess Gosling
September 20, 2022
in International Schools, Latest News, Wellbeing
Reading Time: 4 mins read
25 0
A A
0
Jess Gosling is an international school teacher
Linked InShare on FacebookShare on TwitterPin This

I am now one month into my international teaching experience in Poland, starting afresh at a new school. My prior appointments in international schools have amounted to over six years in Asia and two years in Africa.

Due to this experience plus blogging, writing, publishing a guide and presenting a radio show about international teaching, many would assume the transition would be easy.

“My life has changed almost completely.”

However, this has not been the case. I have felt this change deeply. At times I have felt distressed, overwhelmed, exhausted, and questioning my choices.

My life has changed almost completely, from what was an environment to which I was well used, to a more challenging daily experience as I get to grips with a new country and school.

Yet, when connecting with others in a similar situation to me, including those at a leadership level, it was interesting to hear similar worries. It would seem, no matter how prepared you may be for a transition like this, such relocations can be very difficult.

In this article, I would like to share how I have begun to work through this transition, in the hope to support others on this journey.

Adjusting to a different school

Schools vary greatly. There is no “holy grail” of school. The most important aspect is the school matches your ethos, and they are what they promised in the interview.

However, there may be other difficulties you could not have foreseen and issues that you know your prior school dealt with well. In this case, I would recommend new teachers approach their line managers immediately. Explain the issue and present solutions. But also, be mindful that this is the start of term and procedures are often in development.

“There may be other difficulties you could not have foreseen.”

As teachers, we need to feel confident but this is almost impossible when you are learning all the procedures of a workplace. My advice here is to not be too hard on yourself. Those in management can support new hires by checking in and also offering a meeting specifically to ask about settling.

Making comparisons between the old life and the new

It is natural to compare what you may have once had. This can be especially difficult if there are monetary concerns, lack of opportunities outside of school, or harsher living environments.

My advice is to seek out all that is different in your new placement. For example, in Poland, I have access to a “multisport” card, which gives free or low-cost access to gyms, pools, and fitness classes. Last week I participated in yoga, a Zumba class, a gym session, and a weight loss class. Elements of this were groundbreaking: at one point, in a room full of women working out to Zumba, I realised just how lucky I was to again be able to be part of this, without masks and restrictions in which I had become used to.

“Seek out all that is different in your new placement.”

Members of administration can support new teachers by connecting them with existing teachers to share insights and to produce a guide for new teachers to help find hobbies and activities they enjoy.

Dealing with the stress of documentation and setting up a home

As one colleague explained to me, Poland is a paperwork-led country. To date, I have filled in countless pieces of paperwork, which is time-consuming and frustrating.

Furthermore, setting up a home, with limited time and without my own vehicle, has taken weeks. Then it was necessary to navigate connecting to the internet, organising a mobile phone contract, and I will never forget my laborious banking experience!

“As one colleague explained to me, Poland is a paperwork-led country.”

On a positive note, a month in, most of the documentation is complete. One tip is to keep all of the important documents (residency cards, passports, etc.) on a drive. Then they can be accessed easily and conveniently and can be completed at any time or place. For example, in breaks at school rather than at home.

School management can support new hires by giving time for these forms to be completed in the new teacher inset time, and offer a chance for teachers to ask questions. Further, for school documents, consider a google form. Just as effective and will not need printing, saving time.

Creating a support network

I have to say, feeling so busy has contributed to my “stepping back” from social media in particular. However, I have taken small steps to build a local network.

One way in which I have done this was to set up playdates with my daughter’s schoolmates. My daughter benefitted so much through meeting her classmates before school (one of whom is a close friend now), but I also made these connections.

“Talk to others about how you feel regularly.”

The administration can support new teachers by providing access to these connections. Teachers can also use local Facebook groups, including ex-pat sites, to connect with others for a meetup.

To conclude, it is most important at this time to support your own mental well-being. Talk to others about how you feel regularly. Take time for yourself and after the first few busy weeks, take a break in the evenings and at weekends.

Jess Gosling is a British-trained Early Years Teacher, based internationally, currently in Poland. She writes regularly at http://jessgoslingearlyyearsteacher.com.

Join her Facebook group, New International Teachers, set up to help international teachers with advice as they contemplate their next move. Jess has also published a guide to support teachers on their international move, Becoming a Successful International Teacher and presents a show “Postcards from Teaching Overseas” for TeacherHug Radio.

 

Tags: international schoolsinternational teaching
Share6Share32Tweet20Pin7
Jess Gosling

Jess Gosling

Jess Gosling is an experienced international school teacher and author. She has a website jessgoslingearlyyearsteacher.com and tweets @JessGosling2. She is the author of Becoming a Successful International Teacher.

Video

  • All
  • Video
Publications

Independent School Management Plus – Winter 2023

January 24, 2023
80
The Friday Club: Rachel Scannel, Bromsgrove School
The Friday Club

The Friday Club: Rachel Scannel, Bromsgrove School

January 13, 2023
193
James Handscombe
College Counselling

In Conversation: James Handscombe, Harris Westminster Sixth Form

January 12, 2023
151
Podcast: ABC of Safeguarding – Jo Cooke, Holme Grange School, Wokingham
Safeguarding

Podcast: ABC of Safeguarding – Jo Cooke, Holme Grange School, Wokingham

January 9, 2023
132

Latest News

Ofsted blames teacher recruitment problems
News

Teacher recruitment crisis hinders Covid catch-up

December 13, 2022
151
Teacher Wellbeing Index 2022teacher wellbeing is a big concern
Latest News

Bleak findings in new Teacher Wellbeing Index 2022

November 29, 2022
411
Wellbeing falls in early secondary
Inclusion

Young people’s ‘sharp decline in wellbeing’ during early secondary years

November 24, 2022
218
ISA Schools Awards
Latest News

Independent Schools Association announces award winners

November 21, 2022
349
Heather Hanbury likes female leadership
Alumni Relations

‘Unleash your feminine side to be a great leader’ says girls’ schools chief

November 21, 2022
144
Jim Knight, new chair of COBIS
International Schools

Lord Knight appointed as next chair of COBIS

November 14, 2022
134
School Management Plus: School & education news worldwide

© 2020 Independent School Management Plus.

Navigate Site

  • Home
  • Latest
  • Leaders
  • Educators
  • International
  • Your School
  • Jobs
  • Video & Podcast
  • Resources
  • About

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Latest
  • Leaders
    • Heads & Governors
    • Admissions & Marketing
    • Bursars & Finance
    • Staff Recruitment
    • Development & Fundraising
    • Alumni Relations
    • Communications & PR
    • Estate Management
    • School Data Management
  • Educators
    • Safeguarding
    • College Counselling
    • Online Learning
    • Early Years
    • Exams & Qualifications
    • Assessment
    • Inclusion
    • Sports and Outdoors
  • International
    • The View From Here
    • Wellbeing
    • Curriculum Design
    • Overseas Development
    • Staff Recruitment
    • EdTech
  • Your School
    • Are you a Kampus24 School?
    • Spotlight on a School
    • 30 minutes with…
    • Partnerships & Outreach
    • School News & Announcements
  • Jobs
    • Place a Vacancy
    • View Vacancies
    • Movers & Shakers
    • CPD
  • Video & Podcast
    • Inspiring Leadership
    • School Leaders
    • Membership Bodies
    • The ABC of Safeguarding
    • The Friday Club
  • Resources
    • From Our Partners
    • Supplier Directory
    • Events Calendar
  • About
    • Editorial Board
    • Associations & Distribution
    • Our Publications
      • International School Magazine
      • School Management Plus Magazine
      • Wellbeing in International Schools Magazine
      • WISEducation newsletter
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us

© 2020 Independent School Management Plus.

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Facebook
Sign In with Linked In
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.