Kisha Monique
February 15, 2014
Welcome to my blog!
Thanks so much for deciding to read about who I am and my journey to China. I think it would be good to start this thing off with me telling you a bit about myself.
1. I was born and raised in New York City! The Boogie Down Bronx to be exact!
2. My family is Jamaican.
3. I have a masters degree in guidance and counseling and another in secondary education
(Social studies).
4. I love working with children and helping them to figure out what they would like to do with their lives.
5. I enjoy traveling, cooking, singing, and spending quality time with my friends and family.
6. I am a member of member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Now that we've gotten that out the way let me tell you about my exciting opportunity. On May 22, 2013, I received a masters of science degree in school counseling. I was so excited and hoped to find a job right away. I figured that with my experience and innovative mind that the NYCDOE would pick me up quickly ... I was WRONG. In fact I spent the entire summer applying to charter schools and private schools in New York trying to find a school counseling gig.
In the fall of 2013 I returned to my history teaching position reluctantly as my true desire was to switch to counseling. Faithfully I would apply to jobs online in New York and Maryland. With each resume and cover letter I sent out the more defeated I felt . One night during the third week of January 2014 I saw a post on the American School Counseling Association SCENE website and decided to take a look. I noticed that a fellow counselor posted a thread about two openings at her school. I got HYPED! I kept reading and then it happened ... my heart sank. China? Guangzhou? Dang! As soon as I had read the location I figured there's no way a Bronx girl is going to China. So I put it out my mind and prepared to go to work. The next day at work I had a pretty bad day and decided what did I have to lose? I contacted the counselor who posted the post and asked her a series of questions.
Such as:
1) Do you like it?
2) What is your typical day like?
3) What are your responsibilities?
4) What is the staff, students, and parents like?
5) What is the work environment like?
6) How are housing, shopping, and transportation?
7) What type of school is it?
8) What's the salary like? (Found out it depends upon your years in education).
9) Are there any black people? (I did not ask lol ... I'm such a punk! But did my research and found
a cool group on Facebook called "Sistas in Hong Kong." Jesus stays saving me LOL ... so grateful
I found those ladies.
The counselor was so sweet and took the time to answer each and everyone of my questions. After that she gave me the director's email and told me to send my stuff to him. I laughed to myself and then prayed and sent my information to the director . He got back to me quickly and was impressed with my qualifications. He set up a Skype interview and it went extremely well! The following week I had another Skype interview with another director and that went GREAT! Two days later I had an offer letter in my inbox. They offered me the JOB !!!!!! Isn't God good? :) (Insert Marvin Sapp's "Never woulda made it!").
It was important for me to get the blessing of my family before making a commitment to something like this For those of you from West Indian families you already know where I'm going with this The conversation went a bit like this ..:
Grandma:! Lawd Ah which part yuh seh yuh ah go again No mon 'dat too far?!
Grandpa: Yeah, nuh bada wid dat!
Grandma: Ahfta yuh nuh speak Chiney (After this she proceeds to choops / kiss her teeth) ..
You get the drift .... my aunt (also a school counselor) was more supportive and felt it was a chance of a life time. She encouraged me to go and come back more marketable and I decided to take her advice.
So here's the package:
1) Roundtrip airfare from NYC to China and from China to NYC: (The school pays for)
2) Living accommodations: A beautiful furnished apartment provided by the school with no cost to me Utilities are included, but if I go over the allotted amount I'll have to pay the difference ..
3) My salary ... tax free! Praise Jesus ... now I can pay Sallie Mae and her cousins. LOL.
There are some other bonuses but I can not remember at the moment ... but what matters is that your girl Kisha got a job!
If you're interested in working at an international school you can check out this website and take a look at the schools associated with them. There is a big selection so do not limit yourself. Https://www.iss.edu
Until next time!
Keesh the School Counselor!
4. I love working with children and helping them to figure out what they would like to do with their lives.
5. I enjoy traveling, cooking, singing, and spending quality time with my friends and family.
6. I am a member of member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Now that we've gotten that out the way let me tell you about my exciting opportunity. On May 22, 2013, I received a masters of science degree in school counseling. I was so excited and hoped to find a job right away. I figured that with my experience and innovative mind that the NYCDOE would pick me up quickly ... I was WRONG. In fact I spent the entire summer applying to charter schools and private schools in New York trying to find a school counseling gig.
In the fall of 2013 I returned to my history teaching position reluctantly as my true desire was to switch to counseling. Faithfully I would apply to jobs online in New York and Maryland. With each resume and cover letter I sent out the more defeated I felt . One night during the third week of January 2014 I saw a post on the American School Counseling Association SCENE website and decided to take a look. I noticed that a fellow counselor posted a thread about two openings at her school. I got HYPED! I kept reading and then it happened ... my heart sank. China? Guangzhou? Dang! As soon as I had read the location I figured there's no way a Bronx girl is going to China. So I put it out my mind and prepared to go to work. The next day at work I had a pretty bad day and decided what did I have to lose? I contacted the counselor who posted the post and asked her a series of questions.
Such as:
1) Do you like it?
2) What is your typical day like?
3) What are your responsibilities?
4) What is the staff, students, and parents like?
5) What is the work environment like?
6) How are housing, shopping, and transportation?
7) What type of school is it?
8) What's the salary like? (Found out it depends upon your years in education).
9) Are there any black people? (I did not ask lol ... I'm such a punk! But did my research and found
a cool group on Facebook called "Sistas in Hong Kong." Jesus stays saving me LOL ... so grateful
I found those ladies.
The counselor was so sweet and took the time to answer each and everyone of my questions. After that she gave me the director's email and told me to send my stuff to him. I laughed to myself and then prayed and sent my information to the director . He got back to me quickly and was impressed with my qualifications. He set up a Skype interview and it went extremely well! The following week I had another Skype interview with another director and that went GREAT! Two days later I had an offer letter in my inbox. They offered me the JOB !!!!!! Isn't God good? :) (Insert Marvin Sapp's "Never woulda made it!").
It was important for me to get the blessing of my family before making a commitment to something like this For those of you from West Indian families you already know where I'm going with this The conversation went a bit like this ..:
Grandma:! Lawd Ah which part yuh seh yuh ah go again No mon 'dat too far?!
Grandpa: Yeah, nuh bada wid dat!
Grandma: Ahfta yuh nuh speak Chiney (After this she proceeds to choops / kiss her teeth) ..
You get the drift .... my aunt (also a school counselor) was more supportive and felt it was a chance of a life time. She encouraged me to go and come back more marketable and I decided to take her advice.
So here's the package:
1) Roundtrip airfare from NYC to China and from China to NYC: (The school pays for)
2) Living accommodations: A beautiful furnished apartment provided by the school with no cost to me Utilities are included, but if I go over the allotted amount I'll have to pay the difference ..
3) My salary ... tax free! Praise Jesus ... now I can pay Sallie Mae and her cousins. LOL.
There are some other bonuses but I can not remember at the moment ... but what matters is that your girl Kisha got a job!
If you're interested in working at an international school you can check out this website and take a look at the schools associated with them. There is a big selection so do not limit yourself. Https://www.iss.edu
Until next time!
Keesh the School Counselor!
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