Pinoy Teacher's Stories

Recruitment/Placement Fees

TEACH-USA: A Bridge to Your Dreams

"Are you still recruiting teachers?"

"Am I"? Technically, I do not own a school so I do not "recruit" teachers to teach for me, however, we do have an employment facilitation agency, Teach-USA, where we "recruit" teachers to seek our services so we can bring out the best in them, and in doing so, allow them to be employable anywhere in the world.

Do we charge school districts for recruitment fees?

Different school districts we work with do not pay us recruitment fees because we do not recruit for them. Although our work is valuable in such a way that we spread the word about their job openings. Technically, both districts and teachers have the autonomy to select who they want to work with.

Let's put details on this.

Usually, recruitment fees are charged to companies when recruitment services are done for them.

1) The recruitment agency will provide the Client with information concerning applicants whom they AGREE to consider for employment.

When school districts give permission for Teach-USA to apply, teachers are given links. It is up to the teacher to select the districts and schools to apply if they want to. Teach-USA teachers' application with the district DOES NOT necessarily mean that the school districts AGREE to consider them for employment. School districts undergo their own screening. Districts have the option to NOT choose a Teach-USA applicant.

2) Prescreening and interviewing based on Client specific criteria.

Teach-USA chooses our teachers based on their willingness to undergo the process and be trained. Our mock interview is a collaborative effort with teachers who have been successful in the process. We do not prescreen or interview based on any school district's requirements or criteria.

3) Presenting eligible applicants directly to Human Resources (“HR”)

HR and schools have 100% control of the process. They choose from the available list who applied to them and they decide on who they want to hire themselves.

4) Coordination of interviews with HR

We help spread the word when interviews are requested.

Let's be clear with the wording/s:

Do we charge teachers "recruitment/placement" fees? No.

Do we charge teachers for "being selected, hired or employed" with the school district? No.

Do we charge teachers for the services (online collaboration, customer service, professional development, important resources) we provided (while they were undergoing the application process) that "could be the factors" that allowed them to be selected, hired and/or get visa approval? Yes.

Do we charge teachers for the services (airport pick-up, initial housing arrangements, and carpool, community resources, if needed) we provide to help them initially settle in the US? Yes.

You charge $5,000 (per successful applicant) for your services, why? The rate for our services is commensurate to the perceived value of our work. We have a high regard for the time and effort we put in for our applicants. We are proud of the continual improvement process we have in place to improve our system and services.

Are your teachers forced to join your group? No. Teachers have a choice to join us and commit to the process. And yes, when successful, we expect them to honor their word and the agreement they signed with Teach-USA.

TEACH-USA: A Bridge to Your Dreams

We are simply your bridge. Unfortunately, crossing the bridge isn't free.

And yes, you do have an option to not use the bridge at all or to cross other bridges, free or otherwise.

Forever In Our Hearts #Weeklies

Week 49/52 #Weeklies

Mommy, it has been a year without you... and oh, happy first year in heaven!

Yes, everyone came to celebrate your life! And on the last day of your wake, just like how you wanted no drama, we were all laughing as we remembered the funny moments we had with you.

What was amazing was when we finally laid you to rest six feet under, I took this photo when they released the balloons, it was sideways when I took it. When Archie turned the photo around, we saw this!

It looks like the same photo I saw online... Such a beautiful cloud formation! I believe God is welcoming you in His arms, Mommy!

And then as in tradition, we did "pagpag" and decided to go to Palaisdaan for dinner. While we were there, I remembered what you told me two years ago when you said you were dying. I posted the story on my other blog: http://www.gemsdaily.com/guasha-meridian-therapy/

Here was our conversation:

“Mom?” I asked.
“Gi, I am dying.” Grace, my mother said on the other line.
“Huh? No!” I retorted.
“Gi, I am dying!” She shouted. Again, I said, “No! Remember, Mommy, I will still go home? We will still see each other. I will just apply for our green card and then as soon as we have it we will see each other again, OK?”
“Gi, we will see each other at the cathedral. As soon as they buried me, you will go back to the USA.” she insisted.
I was confused about what she was saying so I repeated what I just said. I also told her, “Mommy, remember we will still visit the Holy Land, we will go to Boracay…” then she interrupted me, “No! We will eat at Palaisdaan (a restaurant in our province in the Philippines) and then the leftovers will be fed to… (she mentioned all our names who will share the food). She repeated our names over and over…

We were surprised when we finally put the pieces together - everything you said did come true! I just couldn't understand it because you were talking two years ahead.

Right after we laid you to rest, a rainbow also showed up. Ning, one of Batch 2 aspirant saw it. Ning also narrated unusual story about having talked to you in her dreams.

Here's more. One night after Sunday mass, we came home with lights on. The Christmas lights of the small Christmas tree and light at the altar.

A few more times, we would go home with the lights on.

In another instance, I was with Ning and thought about you. She said your mom is always with you. See that rainbow?

That night I looked closely at the photo I'd taken and there was His image again.

I still miss the many times I would give you a call to report the ins and outs of our lives here in the US and to talk about anything under the sun even when you are already out of breath. I miss bugging and pestering you until I get your full attention and you will just smile at my quirkiness.

It's been a year but it didn't feel like it because I know at any time, I can just call you (toll-free) and you will be with me... and in the silence of my heart, I would hear your voice again, encouraging and telling me that it is all God willing and everything will be OK.

It's been a year of a roller-coaster of emotions, but through the "Grace" of God, through you, Mommy Grace, we have started healing and mending our lives knowing that someday, in God's perfect time, we'll be together again.

We love you Mommy, you are in our hearts forever. May you rest in peace with our Lord.