Hi,

I considered working for Eton House in Jinan. As a teacher with over 10 years' experience I'm serious about education. I'm not overseas just to see the world.

I was treated similarly. The teacher I spoke with about housing assured me that the stipend was more than enough for a good apartment. Then after signing the contract, I was told I'd have to bring 4 months salary to pay the landlord. That should have been stated in the contract. I've worked in China at two different schools and housing was completely covered by the school that employed me. I was able to negotiate for Eton House to cover that expense, so try to negotiate for better conditions. Then expect to fight for them again upon arrival.

The principal in Jinan is a lovely woman who doesn't shout, but she's never around. Her only experience in education is Eton House so she has no idea how better schools are run. I ran into problems upon arrival and she was never available during school hours to discuss problems. They already had 2 kindergarten teachers back out so you'd think she'd want to make the third work out. Especially since I was the only one on staff with a Masters degree and 10+ years of experience. Most teachers are very new to the field and some have no form education experience. You'd think a school that charges more than a Chinese university ($20,000 USD).

Lucy, her assistant and the vice principal were mainly concerned with money. Not surprising since the franchise was started and owned by an accountant with no formal background in education. Their main concern was getting me into an apartment no matter how dirty and decrepit and out of the Chinese hotel they placed me in. I was assisted by a wimpy young woman with poor English and professional skills.

The classrooms had few books and a number of the labels in the room were spelled wrong (e.g. writting desk). You'd expect the native speaker filling in for the class would have that corrected. The rooms were quite charming, but the teachers must share the bathroom with the children, a practice that's agains the law in many countries -- including China. I wish they'd told me that before I took the job. The teachers don't have a room to prepare lessons. They just have a table in the corridor with a couple old computers.

Although children have their temperatures taken upon arrival by the nurse, teachers are allowed to come to school when they're sick. Thus I caught an awful cold from a staff member.

I found it troubling the the administration was so worried about the parents seeing me at the school, when they knew there were problems that meant I might not stay.

The school has boasted it's going to be an International Baccalaureate school, but they haven't even filled out the application.

Carol H, who's named in the original post, is the advisor for this school.

Educators are better off working at an accredited school where you're well paid and have the resources and support you need.