Time for a Change

As you know, I was not happy at Morgan Rothschild Academy. Overall, it was the exact opposite of what I wanted out of a school. I would have stayed to complete my contract, but since Morgan gave me the chance to leave it scot-free, I had to jump on it! I started applying all over the world yet I only got responses from a couple schools in Shanghai, and one in Honduras to teach high school (and I am clearly not qualified to teach high school!). I went on several different interviews here in Shanghai to Pinghe and Shanghai Experimental School (two local Chinese schools with an international department) and Rainbow Bridge International School. Of the three, I was most excited about Rainbow Bridge… it is an early childhood position verses a fifth grade position like the other two, and I got a really good feeling when I went on the interview and to visit the school.

Less than 12 hours after the interview at Rainbow Bridge, the principal sent me an offer letter, and a REALLY good offer letter with a huge pay increase and a load of benefits. The only downside is that it is not just a one-year contract, but a two-year commitment, and my summer would be cut in half than what I had originally thought. I gave it a lot of thought, but I made a decision and signed the contract on Wednesday.

So now that it is official, let me introduce you to Rainbow Bridge International School. Connected to the Shanghai Zoo, the school has an early childhood program, an elementary and middle school. The principal is an American and the ECE director is Australian (anything other than Taiwanese is a plus). The ECE program is what sold me! It is child-centered, play-based curriculum around broad themes. It is emergent, relevant and hands-on. There is a group of ECE teachers that work together to plan curriculum and organize events.

The facilities are really great too and there are a ton of resources available. I can design my own classroom however I want and hang child’s art up on the wall. The school is also legit. Because it is an international program, all children have to have a foreign passport to attend the school. Furthermore, there are no round-about illegal contract shenanigans because I will actually be working for their international school – legally. It is also in a much better location of the city.

I mean, I can go on and on about how great this school in comparison to MRA, but really, this school seems great independent from MRA. I think I am going to be happy there, and I can’t wait to return to Shanghai in August to begin this new adventure.