Second Time’s the Charm

There’s good news to tell: I’ve landed a job!

Not that I’m really looking exactly, but a secondary reason we came to Brussels (opera opportunities for Matthew being the first) was to gain experience in an international school setting. I initially courted ISB, the International School of Brussels to little effect. They were very keen to have me do some fill-in work and the one interview I had with them was for a job I truly would have been unhappy doing, so I also checked out St. John’s International School for substitute teaching or other opportunities. In early September, I met with all three principals (elementary, middle and high schools) and had quite a good day touring the campus. They also wanted me for supply work, but unfortunately, our visas are taking forever and I’ve not been able to get on the supply list without a “carte d’identity”...so I’ve just been biding my time.

About 10 days ago, when Emily was here I got a phone call from the St. John’s Elementary Principal to ask about my status, as there was an opening coming soon and was I interested...(yikes--Elementary??)

I made arrangements to visit the team (the three teachers of the grade 5 Primary Years Program in the International Baccalaureate system) last Thursday, and was invited to participate in their school’s Professional Development activity Friday and Saturday of this past week. Thursday was a great day, where the outgoing teacher treated me kindly and the kids were very pleased to impress me with their knowledge and skills. For those who forget, grade 5 students are 9-11 years old and (at this school) very precocious. Not surprisingly these kids are from all over the globe with the bulk being from Sweden, the UK and the United States with a smattering of South Asians of varying nationalities to round out the mix. Most speak English as at least a second language, but some are just starting. This is technically an christian school so there are fewer Muslim, Hebraic and Taoist students than I’m accustomed to, but I think I can manage to accommodate with my humanistic approach (daily prayer is scheduled into the day, folks!)

So at the end of the day Saturday, the Principal and I had a brief chat, and I’ve accepted the job starting January. I’m going in this Wednesday to speak with the business and human relations departments to get their “work permit” coordinated with the Canadian “work visa” (different than the one I’m currently waiting for: ironically a work visa requires less paperwork than the visa for persons of independent means) so things should progress quite quickly from here on in. There will be opportunities to see the outgoing teacher and the students again before January, as there are many celebrations before now and the Christmas break and I’ve been asked to come in to get to know the school and the students during that time.

So I’m rather pleased with myself. I’ve only been in the country 2 months, and have secured myself and my family an excuse to stay longer, should we want to; have been successful finding an opportunity to gain experience not only with the IB program but in a grade level that will round out my resume; and I've found an opportunity to accelerate the visa process so that we can get the benefits of being landed (free bus fare for our children, resident and not visitor fees at the community centre, subsidized dental care for the kids among other privileges)...Hold it--what about the taxes in both countries? Ah well... we’ll deal with that later!