Leigh in Azerbaijan

I’ve had an interview by phone with an international school in Azerbaijan but won’t hear for another week or so if I get the job. I’ve also recently applied to Cambodia, Shanghai and Hong Kong.  Every now and again schools will actually acknowledge your application, which is always a pleasant surprise. I did hear that a position in Zambia had been filled before I applied.   That’s a reminder that I have to keep on the ball day by day with the Search Associates website.  It’s handy working with other foreigners as there’s quite a breadth of knowledge of schools and free advice about which schools are good and .. umm .. err .. not so good.   However, the main impression I get is that life is too short to experience the joys of many, many good schools around the world.

Did I say that I’m happy to commence a Masters in Ed if nothing come up for August? I’m fascinated by the potential of technology in the classroom, but also am keen to study conditions of learning. Why is it that some kids learn so easily and others struggle – are there things that we can change in the classroom to make it as natural as it should be?   My sister, Clare (lecturer in architecture at Melbourne Uni)  scored a $340,000 grant to study architecture and education.   What a great project!  The biggest issue that hits me is the lack of room in most schools for kids to spread out and be creative.