Search Associates (SEARCH) is renowned for helping educators embark upon their first international teaching adventures. On November 15-17, 2019, Senior Associates Jennifer and Bob Imholt hosted the second Panama City Fair. Having spent 11 years working in three international schools in Venezuela, Paraguay, and Colombia, the Imholts brought their passion and enthusiasm for connecting outstanding international schools from around the region with enthusiastic, qualified teachers looking to work overseas, specifically Latin America, many for the first time.
The Latin America Fair is one of Search Associates’ more intimate recruiting events. Focused primarily on supporting schools from around the region, the fair did host schools from as far away as the Philippines! This year’s job fair was held at the Sheraton Grand Panama Hotel, a convenient 15-minute drive from Panama City’s airport. Resting beside the waterfront, the hotel provides a picturesque backdrop for recruiters and candidates to network and interview. With its tranquilo atmosphere and supportive environment, the Latin America Fair is an excellent venue for educators to make connections and experience what the world of international teaching is like.
The Latin America Fair acts as a fantastic introduction to the world of international teaching for the candidates, many of whom have never taught outside their home country. Viewing the schools’ presentations, the attendees were able to gain a good sense of the diverse schools and countries represented. In addition, International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) Programme Coordinator Nash Adamson of the International School of Panama (ISP) gave an interactive presentation introducing the IB Programme for candidates curious to learn more. To get in the right frame of mind for interviews, candidates were invited to take part in a lively Q&A with ISP Head of School Viki Stiebert.
The many first-time international educators attending appreciated the advice they received from the SEARCH staff working the fair. In addition to Jennifer and Bob Imholt, SEARCH’s Chief Software Architect Ed Sunder and his wife Betsy were present to support candidates and recruiters. Ed assisted candidates and recruiters with the fair portal, and he shared information about APLi, the candidate management tool that many member schools are now using.
Administrators who attended the fair as recruiters were also provided the wonderful professional development opportunity to attend New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Ace training at the nearby campus of The Metropolitan School of Panama on Nov. 14th. SEARCH was proud to partner with NEASC’s Darlene Fisher as well as Dan McKee, Head of School at the Metropolitan School of Panama, for hosting the special, one-day event on their campus this year.
Jen and Bob are grateful to their sponsor Buffalo State as well as fair partners at NEASC, Metropolitan School of Panama, and International School of Panama for making this event a quality recruitment and professional development opportunity for all involved.
Many candidates secured a new international teaching job, but for all, the opportunity to learn about diverse schools in Latin America and beyond—and the chance to connect with other passionate educators—made for an exciting weekend!
Thank you, and we hope YOU will join us next year!
