General Questions
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Hey all,
Just wanted to post an update for those who may be interested..
My agency received my work permit today (19/9/07). Hooray!!!
It was submitted on 20/08/07. With the holiday, I think that's twenty-one working days. The website claims an aim of around 90% processed within 15 working days, with an update stating that there is currently up to an 8 working day delay. So all in all, it was right on time..
Having followed other posts on the forum lately, I would also like to offer this.. I do NOT have an Ed degree. I have a BA in biology. However I did attend an NCATE (USA) approved teacher training program (post bac) to obtain my state's teaching credential. Work Permits UK saw ONLY my MT state license though (no diploma or transcripts were submitted to them) and I was approved. Hopefully this will be the case for others who like me, have been a little worried about showing "UK equivalency".
On to the visa process... I'll let you all know what happens. And Meli, if you're reading. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I tell you how much we appreciate learning of your experiences and how helpful they are here.
Any visa/pre-clearance thoughts or advice???
thomas
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Thomas,
I am SOOOOOOO happy for you. The Visa stuff is actually easy. Just follow the instructions as they come and no problem.... ;-)
Meli |
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WOW!!
Submitted electronic visa application on Tuesday night. Fed ex'd all documents overnight to the Britsh Consulate in L.A. on Wednesday. Issuing officer approved my application and Fed ex'd everything back to me by Friday afternoon...
Seriously all, WOW!
Guess I better go buy a plane ticket!
:)
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Yeah Thomas!!!! Way to go. Where will you be teaching?
Congratulations on the exceptionally fast turn around. That actually was amazing time.
Now, I gather you will be teaching science so.....bring your resources! Pay extra to pack them. One science teacher to another, you WILL want them because there isn't much in support materials provided to teachers over here and the work load is a lot more than those of us from the US are use to really. Hands on manipulatives, puzzles, text books with pretty diagrams, simple labs (practicals)... You will probably be teaching all the sciences despite the Bio degree or certification so maybe visit the local teacher store before coming. They don't have those here by the way...
Again CONGRATULATIONS! ;-)
Meli |
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I will be moving way out to Dagenham on the East End. Not the "best" place to live and work I've gathered, but hopefully not the worst either. I feel like Sidney Poitier in, To Sir With Love.. "Well, it IS good to have "some kind" of job."
Oh well.. Like EnglishTeacher, I'm sort of giving up everything Stateside to do this. Hopefully I will either thrive on the challenge, or something better will present itself in the next year or so. I turned 46 this summer. I'm widowed. Both of my kids are in college/relationships and working. I really have no choice at this point except to succeed at this. If the students are hard on me, I can honestly tell them that they may as well abandon the notion of driving me from their classroom as I really have nowhere else to go now...
As for resources, I was sort of planning on relying pretty heavily on my internet connection. Maybe purchasing one of those Key stages 3 and 4 National Curriculum based science CD's with printable lesson plans and the likes also. At my last job in a north suburb of Denver, I worked in a brand new school (some tough kids) that was absolutely empty when I arrived. We were each given a box of office supplies and told to "wing it". As long as I have text books to fall back on for some continuity.. I suppose I'll be doing ALOT of lesson planning. My hope is to develop some new curriculum ideas that are consistent with the national standards that I've had banging around my head for some time now. Of course, anything anyone can share electronically would be greatly appreciated...
Well there is SO much to do now. A car to sell too...
Hope you all will allow me to stay in touch with you. I know I will need your help and support.
And anything I can do in return....
Thomas
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