I began this process with simply the dream of wanting to teach in Europe. The first step that I took was to update my resume and write  a standard cover letter. While drafting many copies of these documents I got on line to access individual sites to schools in Europe that I was interested in. Once my resume and cover letter was ready I mailed it to the following schools:

American Overseas School of Rome   (Rome, Greece)
Munich International School   (Munich, Germany)
American School of Paris   (Paris, France)
Antwerp International School     (Antwerp, Belgium)
American International School in Vienna    (Vienna, Austria)
American School of London     (London, England)
Copenhagen International School    (Copenhagen,  Denmark)
International School of Helsinki    (Helsinki, Finland)
Bonn International School       (Bonn, Germany)
Frankfurt International School        (Frankfurt, Germany)
American  Community School of Athens  (Athens, Greece)
St. Andrews College   (Dublin, Ireland)     
St. Stephen's School   (Rome, Italy)
International School of Amsterdam    (Amsterdam,  Netherlands)
American International School of Hague   (Hague, Netherlands)
International School of Bern   (Bern, Switzerland)
Fulbright Teacher Exchange   
International Educators Cooperation
Institute of International Education
Independant Educational Services
Defense Schools
Overseas Placement Service for Educators
Search Associates
Southern Teachers Agency of Richmond
International School Services
European Council of International Services

After sending out all of these resumees, I heard back from the American School in London, International School of Helsinki, Frankfurt International School, the American School of the Hague ( www.ash.nl ), St. Andrew's College (www.st-andrews.ie ), the Antwerp Intenational School, Copenhagen International School, Munich International School (www.state.gov/www/about_state/schools/omunich.html),   St. Stephen's School ( www.ststephens.it ), and the American School of Paris ( www.asparis.org ). Many of these letters made mention of seeing me at the recruiting fairs. I knew then that my next step was to apply to the agencies that held the recruiting fairs. The most mentioned agencies in the letters were ISS, Search Associaties, and ECIS.

The application process for these agencies was made easier through on line applications.  

Search Associates is a company founded by John Magagna, an experienced international educator and school head.
Search Associates is the third largest overseas school placement organization in North America, but Search Associates focuses on quality verses quantity. It is their goal to rank first in quality by continuing to offer highly personalized service and individual attention.

It has been my personal experience that John does achieve this personal high quality experience.  Getting to know John personally, helped me to really get a sense of how hard he was working to help me get a job. I hightly recommend this agency.

The year that I applied the Search Associates Recruiting Fair was held in Cambridge MA on February 13 - 16 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel

ISS is a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1955 to serve American international schools overseas. ISS  services include establishing and operating overseas schools, recruiting and placing teachers and administrators, consulting, financial management, purchasing and shipping instructional materials, supplies and universities, publishing, foundations management, and facility planning.
ISS hosts three recruiting fairs annually and each fair hosts 100 to 140 schools interviewing to fill 500 to 1000 vacancies. ISS places well over 750 teachers and administrators each year.

My personal experience with the ISS agency was also a very positive one. Jane Larsson the Director of Educational Staffing was very helpful in helping me to register at the closest recruiting fair despite time constraints. I was thankful for the extra effort. In addition during the fair I needed to seek the advice of someone more versed in the international school system when  I was facing making important choices.  The staff at the ISS fair was very helpful and patient.

The year that I applied the recruiting fair was held February 16- 20 at the Westin Hotel in Boston, MA.

" Dear School Board Members;
I am writing to request a leave of absence for the 2000-2001 school year. Recently, I have become interested in the possibility of teaching mathematics abroad. I have researched different International Schools and the different programs that the schools provide. I believe that an international experience will foster growth both as a math teacher and as a person.
Teaching abroad will give me an opportunity to expand my repetoire of different math programs and will allow me to compare and contrast the strengths of my own program. Living and working abroad will also enable me to learn a great deal about different cultures.   It is my intent to video and take slide shows of the various countries that I will visit, to bring back to Shelburne to educate my students.
I have had a fabulous experience at Shelburne thus far.  I have formed many meaningful relationships both with students and colleagues. Upon my return,  I hope to continue my professional career at SCS.
The recruiting fairs where I will be interviewing with different International Schools will be held in February.  I should know the outcome of my pursuits by March, before contracts need to be signed. I am hopeful that you will share in my enthusiasm for this adventure and support me by providing me with approval for the leave of absence. I will in turn use the leave pending my acceptance of a position abroad. Thank you for your time and consideration."

With the support of my administration, I was granted the leave, and therefore had the support of my school to begin this new adventure. Thank you to everyone involved.