Thanks.

I tried to post this information once already today and the moderators decided not to publish my posting.

Check this link which includes comments about Curt’s demise from his cousin Lindsey Freer. http://mexicanfever.blogspot.c...../label/ASP

Maybe that’s why you have heard nothing from the school regarding your contract.

Perhaps someone else can confirm this?

Maybe that’s why you have heard nothing from the school regarding your contract.

Perhaps someone else can confirm this?

I suppose the primary level director sounds defensive above because he has been out, ill, for 8-10 weeks of the school year. As he stated above, he does deal well with parents and students, for example, in large part due to having lived and worked in Mexico for 3 years. Interesting comment. How can he do that not being around???????

That brings up the comment I’d like to respond to about the school doctor. “All health costs are covered.” When I first signed a contract with the school, I enquired about the specific health insurance plan. I was never told that it is not a health insurance plan but a doctor on the school campus. I don’t know his qualifications but I would not suggest a new person come to Pachuca and expect the same thing that a US or Canadian health plan covers. I did have one bad experience with the school doctor because he perscribed a medication that conflicted with a perscription I was taking and I did tell him about it. I do suggest that this is not a school for anyone with reoccurring health problems that might need a higher level of care. Yes, the doctor at the school is fine for a stomach bug or a simple cold.

As far as $40 a month for teaching materials is simply incorrect. Teachers receiver 200 pesos which is equivalent today to US $14.

1. I am certainly qualified for my position, though I am not saying I am the perfect administrator and I have never met one yet. Also, remember it was not me who made the hiring decision that put me here. The general director hired me for the spot, based on more than 2 years of working together. In fact, this was not even what I asked to do! But that´s another story.

Being an admin. is much more than just supporting teachers, though that is clearly among the most important duties. At the same time however, we have to deal with lots of other constituencies (parents, students, other departments, etc.)and pressures (legal issues, financial issues, etc.) and balance it all, so perhaps you should take your perfectly teacher-shaded glasses off before you begin to look at whether someone has the requisite skills, experience and capacity to serve as a senior administrator. I deal well with parents and students, for example, in large part due to having lived and worked in Mexico for 3 years and having studied Latin American Studies in college and (sorry you think it is irrelevant) speaking Spanish fluently. Not everyone needs to fit a certain mold, particularly when we are not in the US or Can, which is why even SACS makes exceptions for people who do not have the traditional profile but offer something important to a school.

As for the law degree, lawyers are leaders in many fields and the degree teaches you analysis, advocacy, negotiation, writing skills, organization, and more….none of which are bad qualities to have learned in this environment.

And my educational admin. experience was for 10 years in law school administration in the US, working with student community service, study abroad and extra-curricular programs and career counseling. Not bad areas to have knowledge in for this position. The second ten years were in educational non-profit admin (5+ yrs.) and in creating and managing a bilingual English program with 25 foreign teachers and 1000 students (4 yrs.). Again, not a bad fit for what I do here.

2. I do have a fairly decent house, now in my 3rd year here. But I found it on my own, I pay something out of my salary every month for it, and I bought the new persians and my mattress with my own money rather than complain. The sofas are from the school, semi-comfortable but made better by covering them with pillows and big Mexican blankets. I also have more seniority, and that is kind of how life works. Teachers who stay a second year inevitably get nicer places…a third year, even nicer. The school values dedicated, loyal, non-whiny employees and rewards will come for those who do their work and stay positive.

3. If you have housing concerns, take off your mask and come see me. We will take care of what we can, assuming you can be patient and polite. I have solved teachers housing problems at 3 in the morning, on Saturdays and Sundays, in the middle of work days, etc. I am always available to help make your housing situation better – from coming to light your gas to getting you a new mattress if possible. In fact, I have been responsible for 3 mattresses this year and we put new persians in more than half our properties, not to mention I got two people full-sized refrigerators. Again, and it may be hard for you, but it is all about being polite and steady as you request things, and understanding that we do have financial constraints and other things to take care of.