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Employment at ASK
At the American School of Kuwait we firmly believe
that quality education is highly dependent on both
the recruitment and development of a talented and a
vibrant group of teachers.
To this end, we place critical importance, and
expend considerable energy, on the recruitment of
new faculty. The vast majority of teachers are hired
through interviews held at recruitment centers in
North America in February each year, although the
school at times does attend recruitment fairs in
Australia, New Zealand, Dubai and England. All
vacancies are listed on the ASK website as well as
with TIE online, Search Associates, ISS, CIS, TRI,
University of Northern Iowa and Queen's University
(Canada) recruitment agencies.
ASK seeks talented and energetic individuals who are
committed to working in a collaborative and
supportive learning environment, and where
professional and curriculum development are ongoing.
ASK will accept applications throughout the year for
any listed vacancies. Certified teachers with a
minimum of two years teaching experience are
requested to send a letter of interest, resume, and
any supporting documentation (such a statement of
philosophy, letters of recommendation) and two
recent photos to:
Dr. Bernard Mitchell, Superintendent
by e-mail to:
ask@ask.edu.kw or
fax to +965 2660438
Salaries &
Benefits
Salaries and Benefits for Foreign Recruited Teachers
for the Academic Year 2009/2011:
Salary range
Base salary - KD
8525
Teaching Certificate - KD 500
Graduate degree - KD 350
Experience:
Non ASK: KD 60 per year (10 years max) 60 x
_________ =
ASK: KD 125 every two years (10 years max) 125 x
______ =
End of Service Award:
(Effective 1998) as per
Kuwait's Labor Law
Monthly Salary __________ x _________ =
(0.5 month's salary years 1-5)
(1.0 month's salary years 6+ )
Other Cash Benefits:
Relocation Allowance (KD 100 Single / KD 200
Couple)
Baggage Allowance to Kuwait (KD 200 Single / KD 300
Couple)
- receipts required
Baggage Allowance from Kuwait (KD 200 Single / KD
300 Couple)
- receipts required + completed 2 year contract
Teacher will be reimbursed KD 35 per day for up to
any of the first 6 full days
of sick days that remain unused during the year.
Other Employment Benefits
• Sick leave per year
6 days - full pay
6 days - 75% of full pay
6 days - 50% of full pay
6 days - 25% of full pay
• Tax free residency as per IRS publication 54 (USA
Taxes only)
• Personal leave up to 2 days per year
• Furnished maintained housing
• Utilities including local telephone services
• Economy air fare from point of origin to Kuwait
(International Airline selected by school)
• Paid summer leave of approximately 69 consecutive
days
• Excursion air fare to and from point of origin for
summer leave (International Airline selected by
school)
• Sick leave provision
• Medical and Hospitalization insurance
• Kuwait government health and medical services
• Worker's compensation insurance as per Kuwait 's
labor law
• Annual Professional development Allowance of 100KD
• Assistance with processing work visa, residency,
driving license
• Bereavement Leave of 5 days with airline ticket
for immediate family.
• Up to 4 days leave for attending a recruiting fair
for non returning faculty upon
approval
of the Superintendent
KD = Kuwait Dinar (approx. 1 KD = US$ 3.30)
 Download
Salaries and Benefits document for Local-Hired
Teachers
Download
Salaries and Benefits documents for Intern Teachers
Housing
The housing for ASK employees is comfortable. The
school provides beds, dressers, couches, two chairs,
a dining room set, and a desk. The new buildings
(2008) are located in Mahboula and include a large
outdoor commons area.
Outside the complex, there are organized trips for
shopping, touring a museum, or seeing the Grand
Mosque. It is amazing how many weekends are packed
with more activities that there is time to attend.
The school, which is a 15 - 20 minute drive from the
housing, has a fitness center which teachers may use
after school and on the weekends. It is well
equipped with Cyber machines, free weights, and
video equipment in case you have a favorite exercise
video. Easy access to the internet is available with
all teachers having a computer in their classroom.
Teachers can join the local softball league, rugby, or the
hockey team and others play basketball several times
a week. The Hilton is nearby and many enjoy its
facilities and join its health club. Several options
for runners to get together in small and large
groups are available. A number of current faculty
members involve
themselves with the Kuwait Little Theatre by either
acting or back stage work.
There is a book club which meets monthly for ASK
teachers. Books are chosen in May so that people can
buy them over the summer. For the new teachers, the
list is always included in your summer packet.
Living in Kuwait
Download
articles from a local newspaper related to Living in
Kuwait
A large variety of choices present themselves to
those involved in the daily life of Kuwait whether
it is in shopping, exercising, or socializing.
People are often surprised at the vast array of
products available and places to go. Perhaps the one
thing that Westerners find most difficult to adjust
is the weekend that is on Thursday and Friday rather
than Saturday and Sunday. School begins at 7:30 and
ends at 2:30 for students. Many shops close in the
afternoon until around 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. Most stores
stay open until 9:00 or 10:00 in the evening.
Western stores like IKEA and the Sultan Center are
open during the afternoons. Traffic can be heavy and
congested during peak times in the morning,
afternoon and early evening. During the Holy Month
of Ramadan, one of the most important religious
events in Islam, school begins at 9:00 and ends at
2:30. Stores also open later but do not close until
11:00 pm. Ramadan ends with EID, a time of
celebration and family gathering.
ASK Social Committee
The Social Committee is deeply involved in giving
people choices through a variety of activities. This
includes a Halloween party that begins early with a
picnic, followed by trick and treating by the
children. After the children are finished, the
adults have their own door-to-door trick or treat
party, which ends with a final stop for relaxing
with friends and colleagues.
During Ramadan, teachers take turns planning a Fitar
gathering on Wednesday. Fitar is the meal shared
with family members after sundown during this
religious month. Christmas caroling by the pool is
followed by hot chocolate and Christmas goodies
before school ends for the winter break. Also a real
highlight for many are the car rally and Music Quiz
Night, which have proven to be a raving success.
Shopping
The major source of Western style grocery shopping
and products is the Sultan Center. Several of these
stores exist throughout the city, but the two major
ones are located in at The Avenues and Marina Mall. Here you
will find a wide variety of American and Western
products. Besides the Sultan Centers Co-op stores
are situated in suburban communities for easy
access. The Co-ops do not have the variety but they
definitely have excellent choices. These shops offer
more local items. Most Co-ops are in areas that
offer fast food restaurants and a vegetable and
fruit market.
The Middle Eastern concept of fruit and vegetable
stores, bread shops, and butcher shops are available
also. For convenience, every block or two has its
own "Baqalla", which is a tiny shop selling a wide
variety of goods.
The Old Souk in Kuwait City and the open air Friday
market offer traditional items in an old world
setting. Carpet shops, which sell carpets from many
parts of the MiddleEast are found everywhere,. These
carpets vary from the most practical to the highly
expensive. People also enjoy visiting the Exhibition
grounds in Mishreif where products from the Middle
and Far East are sold.
Shopping Malls abound in Kuwait. These malls include
shops such as The Body Shop, Debenhams, River
Island, Levi, JC Penney's, the Gap, Banana Republic, Laura Ashley, and even
Tiffany's just to name a few. True Value, Ace
Hardware, Sears, and IKEA and others are also within
easy access. There is very little that one cannot
buy in Kuwait.
Food
People are sometimes shocked to discover that Kuwait
has over 50 McDonald's plus many Burger Kings, KFC,
Pizza Hut, Dominoes, Baskin Robbins, Chilli's,
Johnny Rockets, Fridays, Fuddruckers as well as
local restaurants. A Chinese take-out can be found
minutes away no matter where you live. Fish is
plentiful and excellent with a local fish market
that sells fresh fish every day.
Entertainment
Movies theaters are plentiful in Kuwait. Several
malls have multi-screens and the latest in American
films are available. An interesting twist is that
you purchase a particular seat as one would in a
live theater production the States. Movie theater
food is quite inexpensive! If you aren't a movie
buff, there are other options. Some love to travel
in the desert picnicking and camping. Others may be
found scuba diving and snorkeling, while others are
found pounding the pavement with their running
companions and exercising at a club. There are book
clubs to be joined, coffee to be drunk at Starbucks
or Costas, or a leisure day to be spent sunning by a
pool.
Language
Arabic is the official language in Kuwait but an
English speaker can always be found. It is not
necessary to speak Arabic. It can be fun to learn,
however.
Weather
As one would expect the summers are hot and dry. The
months of May through October tend to be
uncomfortably warm. However, from November through
April cooler weather prevails. There will be times
when a warm jacket will be necessary. All apartments
have heat and can be a welcome relief on cold and
windy days in January or February. Rain is
infrequent, but bring an umbrella. At least once a
year a good thunderstorm can be heard.
Dress
A vast array of clothing is worn in Kuwait. Many
Arab men wear the traditional dishdashas and a large
number of women wear abayas and the hajab (scarf
worn to cover hair), but common Western wear also
abounds. It is still considered inappropriate to
wear shorts or sleeveless blouses, but, other than
that, all type of dress is accepted. It is important
to dress respectfully for the culture in which we
live.
FAQs
1) CAN TEACHERS SAVE ANYTHING FROM THEIR SALARY?
Yes most definitely. While this is always dependent
on the lifestyle a person lives, many teachers
reportedly save over half of their salary.
2) DOES ASK RECRUIT FAMILIES? Housing
Yes, we actively recruit singles, couples and
families.
3) WHAT SUPPORT IS THERE FOR TEACHER'S DEPENDENTS?
Each individual teacher contract is allowed one
dependent whether a non-teaching spouse or child.
ASK will pay for residency costs, health insurance,
annual return airfares and ASK tuition costs if
applicable.
4) IS KUWAIT SAFE?
While Kuwait has been constantly in the press in
recent years, it remains an extremely safe, peaceful
and a US friendly country. The ongoing conflict in
Iraq and Palestine/Israel has no real impact on
Kuwait nor should it in the future.
5) WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR WOMEN IN KUWAIT ?
While Kuwait is an Islamic country, it has a very
western feel about it. Women do not need to be
covered at all and providing they do not dress
provocatively they are free to wear what they wish.
6) CAN WOMEN DRIVE IN KUWAIT ?
Yes, most women including Kuwaitis drive.
7) WHAT IS THE ROAD SYSTEM LIKE?
Roads and freeways are highly developed. Traffic can
be very busy and is usually fast.
8) DO YOU NEED A CAR IN KUWAIT ?
We find a majority of teachers do buy cars although
the school provides a bus to and from school.
9) DOES THE SCHOOL SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT?
Yes, we feel really strongly about this and have an
annual professional development allowance of approx
$330 US which can be accumulated for up to three
years. The school also supports many other
professional development initiatives and activities.
10) WHAT IS THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM LIKE?
There is a well organized and effective bus service
which runs all over the city. Taxis are readily
available and reasonably priced.
11) WHAT IS THE PRICE OF GAS/PETROL?
About 80 cents a US gallon
12) DO YOU HAVE TO SHARE AN APARTMENT?
No, singles have their own apartment.
13) CAN YOU PAINT YOUR APARTMENT?
Yes you can. Your apartment will be white or neutral
on arrival and can be decorated as you wish with
certain stipulations.
14) WHAT IS THE AVERAGE STAY OF OVERSEAS HIRES AT
ASK ?
Approximately 3 years
15) CAN YOU PURCHASE WESTERN PRODUCTS?
Yes, there are many products available in
electronics, food, and entertainment.
16) WHAT IS THERE TO DO FOR FUN?
There are a variety of activities. These would
include running clubs, reading groups, golf,
basketball, and going to the movies and shopping.
For students the school provides a vast number of
after school activities.
17) IS IT DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN A VISA FOR VISITOR?
Generally no. Kuwait now allows residents of several
countries, including the US, to purchase a Visa when
they arrive at the airport. Otherwise, there is a
procedure to go through but, normally there is no
problem and visitors are welcomed. |
