Dear Readers,

  It has been a while since I wrote you. I've been busy hiring
  teachers since March. It has certainly been more difficult than
  previous years because of SARS. Fewer qualified teachers wanted to
  come to Taiwan. Who can blame them? Taiwanese people didn't want
  to go to China or HK either. For a time, Taiwan was in the same
  league as these SARS countries.

  Living in Taichung, I know SARS is pretty mild here (only 1 SARS
  death in a city of one million). However, I would still have to
  watch the Taiwan SARS numbers carefully because if they turned bad
  or if Taiwan gets bad international media coverage, I know I will
  have a much harder time finding teachers.

  After a lot of hard work and many long interviews, I have hired the
  three qualified teachers that I needed. I'm so glad I didn't have
  to lower my hiring standards. All three teachers are experienced
  elementary/kindergarten teachers from Canada and all three have
  B.Ed. More importantly, they are creative, passionate teachers,
  and excited about living and teaching in Taiwan.

  I must have looked at 2,500 applications during the last three
  months. I am sure you would be surprised to know only 15 met the
  hiring standards for my school (issue 59,
  http://www.path2english.com/Back_Issues/Issue059_Feb17.htm)
  There are so many people who teach English in Taiwan, but so few
  "real teachers" :-(

  By the way, Congratulations Taiwan! SARS is over for now! It is sure
  a big relief and life has, for the most part, gotten back to normal.
  Wasn't it really stressful during those SARS weeks? Did your life or
  your business change because of SARS? Please share with us your
  special experiences, thoughts, and feelings.

                                               I like to hear from you,
                                               JacksonFive

  P.S. Please also email me any "positive" English articles you have.
          I would like to add more "English Shares" to our JacksonFive
          website http://www.path2english.com/Share/Share.htm

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    "Rational and Irrational"