A Conversation in Xanadu

Here’s a typical conversation that takes place this time of year in international schools ~ between the Chairman of the governing Board and the Headmaster. We are in mythical Xanadu in Central Asia.

Chair: Welcome back, Headmaster, we’ve missed you these past seven weeks.

Head: It’s good to be home, sir. No one knows how stressful these teacher recruitment trips can be. I assume there were no problems while I was gone?

Chair: Truth be told, Headmaster, fewer than when you are here. Secretary Reliable is very adept at putting out fires and holding the parents at bay. She’s the only one who is indispensable in my opinion. Remind me ~ where did you go to find the new staff?

Head: I started in Sydney. Then Singapore ~ then Shanghai ~ then Bangkok ~ then Frankfurt ~ then London ~ then Toronto ~ then Seattle ~ then Honolulu. For good measure I stopped in Murmansk on the way home.

Chair: All done, are we, with the recruitment effort?

Head: Not really, Mr. Chairman. It’s a case of good news and bad news.

Chair: Good news and bad news, eh? What’s the good news then?

Head: Well the good news is that I’ve hired 14 new teachers. They are experienced and all seem keen on coming to Xanadu.

Chair: Keen on Xanadu? How’s that?

Head: I told them they’d be partying each weekend in Istanbul.

Chair: Istanbul? But Xanadu is 1,200 miles to the east!

Head: Most of the new teachers are Americans. They are geographically challenged and wouldn’t know Paris from Persia.

Chair: I see. Well, what’s the bad news?

Head: We still have 12 vacancies

Chair: 12 vacancies ~~ for this August? What are you going to do?

Head: I’ll be going out on the spring recruitment circuit. These are better known as the Hail Mary Fairs.

Chair: Where are you going this time?

Head: I’m going to try the Latin option. First place will be Madrid ~ then Rio ~ then Bogota ~ then Miami. I’ll stop in Casablanca and Cairo on the way home.

Chair: And when will you be home again, Headmaster?

Head: Mid-June ~ on graduation day, in fact. We can give out the diplomas together