E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
The Arizona Republic reports that Stephanie Olson taught in her Arizona school district for five years, but budget cuts and the state of education in the United States has brought her to the point where she has decided to take drastic measures.
This year, Olson applied for a teaching job in Abu Dhabi. She was accepted and is now moving her family to the United Arab Emirates in August.
Olson, 32, is one of hundreds of teachers who will be moving to Abu Dhabi this fall through Teach Away, a Toronto-based company that recruits English-speaking teachers to work in foreign countries. Ash Pugh, a program manager with Teach Away, says that while the U.S. and Canada are making cuts to education, other countries are investing in it.
Leave a Comment:
This is unreal. Plus, she's taking her family? This is NOT desperation, this is stupidity and totally not keeping the American spirit where it should be.....in America! I would hope she'd have left her children with relatives for their safety.
And where is the American Spirit? It belongs to the Republicans who have, through the idiocy of their ideology, are forcing teachers to take their talents overseas where they can make good money practicing their profession. American Spirit? Yes, the cutting of educational programs, teachers' salaries, overloaded classrooms, cutting benefits, that is all the American Spirit according to the far right conservatives. I am proud of this lady taking steps to make a better living for her family. And as for the safety of the family? These schools are generally well protected by the countries they are in. Contrary to the political climate here in the USA, they want their children to have a quality education. They pay well for the best and the brightest teachers. I have a niece who is doing the very same thing. She as been teaching in foreign lands for a lot of years and currently carries a six figure salary, with full health benefits, paid travel expenses, paid leave and transportation. Does that sound like the American Spirit in this country? Hell no it does not. And you can thank the Tea Party, and most other conservatives for the failing system this nation has with education.
"Away, says that while the U.S. and Canada are making cuts to education, other countries are investing in it."
She is correct. Thank you Michele Bachman, John Boehner, Sarah Palin, Ron Paul, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Rand Paul, Shawn Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, Anne Coulter, and all the rest of the radical right wing nuts.
You have to do what is best for your family... American Spirit has gone way out the window a long time ago. Especially when there is NO control in our governement.
Robert is ignorant... it isn't just the Republican's and their ideas causing this issue it is everyone. I hate when people lable and BLAME the opposite party they believe in. Regardless this woman has no other way of supporting her family so she must go where she can.
Silly as it seems its just life right now.
This IS the American spirit. Everyone watch out for themselves. She is just showing some good ole American "can do" attitude. Good on her!
And, by the way, want to know where she is going? Check it out on google. Or, go here:
http://www.google.com/search?q=Abu+Dhabi&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=ivnsum&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=8OccToDCO8bo0QGf7cHQBw&ved=0CFAQsAQ&biw=1434&bih=1056
To a country that does not have equal rights for women... she can't even drive!
As a teacher who works overseas, I'll tell you it's not all a panacea. The money IS good...much better than in the states, but then, there is a lot of money in Dubai...it's not just about a focus on education...there is just a lot of money to throw around in the middle east. Having said that, the quality of life is poor, unless you consider living in a foreign country in what amounts to foreigner communities sounds like fun. But, oh yeah, the money is good. In these years current bad economy, that can be really nice.
America has great troubles these days, but America still has incredible beauty and potential. I do wish America would snap out of the political gridlock these days...I'd love to see Americans come together in a spirit of cooperation, because I do think that America is facing it's biggest challenge ever as the best place to live in the world...other countries are catching up -- The World is Flat is kind of true, and, as some other commenters note, I'd say the only real thing that is going to have America rise up again is American spirit...because when it comes to other things like education, technology, and motivation, the rest of the world, at least in some places, has it in bundles.
Let's go America! Get it together before it's too late.
I say if you're not happy with America, do something to change it or bye bye!! Enjoy! I'm sure you can find plenty to complain about in other countries as well. Bottom line - you don't like it, you don't have to live here. I love how news writer takes a story like the one above and makes it look like it effects SO many lives. The story reads "one of hundreds of teachers" - what is that like less than 1% of teachers in the U.S.? WOW! What type of agenda are you pushing?!?!
Actually, you are thinking of Saudi Arabia. While I wouldn't say they have equal rights, Emirati women are prevalent in the workplace and very visible socially. And yes, they can drive. Sigh. Perhaps a little research is in order next time?
And to the other commentor who feared for the teacher's family, let me just add: as an American who used to live in the Emirates, it is probably safer to walk around at night there than in a large U.S. city. That isn't to say they don't have problems, but it isn't like she's moving her family to a war zone. I'd rather move my family to the Emirates than to Detroit.
I agree with Alaskan907. Just in the past week in my job I see drug deals going down at 2 pm in the afternoon. What really concerns me is that at 5:30 same day as the sun is starting to set. You can watch people coming out in this area that I have to be in, it gets really scary. It reminds me of termites all coming out of the wood work going in mass to certain areas. When I ask the person I was meeting, She stated They are on their way to meet drug dealers for there weekend supply? Even saw a gun on one. It time to find another line of work or retire. Maybe my degree should be used better in other ways, like an office job. Sometimes not safe there either.