Reporting Pathways That Meet You Where You Are
At Search Associates, we are committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive experience for every educator who interacts with us.
To uphold these values, we believe it is important to be transparent about how we receive and address concerns. Our purpose in creating these pathways is to provide a clear, accessible way for educators to share their experience, whether that involves a member school, a general concern, or identity-based harm.
The feedback we receive will be used to improve individual follow-up and resolution, guide organizational learning and growth, and identify areas where we fall short. We will also share what we learn with our community to ensure that the feedback contributes to visible change and accountability. Our goal is to repair relationships and rebuild trust as an organization.
Our Process
General Concern
This section is for sharing feedback about your experience with Search Associates directly, whether that relates to our communication, our level of service, a policy you disagree with, or something else entirely. We want to hear about it. If your concern is about a specific member school or involves identity based harm, please select the appropriate pathway instead. The steps below explain how to share your feedback with us.
Pathway One
This pathway relies on the relationship of trust you have already built with your Senior Associate.
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01
Step One
Contact Your Senior Associate
Contact Senior AssociateContact your Senior Associate for guidance and to report your concern to them.
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02
Step Two
Your Senior Associate Listens & Responds
Your Senior Associate will listen to your concern and work to address it.
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03
Outcome Reached
Possible Outcomes
Concern has been addressed:
The concern has been addressed by your Senior Associate and no further action is needed.
Further action:
Your concern may be resolved directly with your Senior Associate. If it is not, or with your permission, it can be shared with our Leadership Team for further discussion and action.
Pathway Two
This pathway connects you directly with our Director of Candidate Services and Standards (DCSS). You may choose this pathway if you would prefer guidance from someone outside your Senior Associate relationship, or if you have already gone through Pathway One and your concern was not resolved.
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01
Step One
Start by Contacting the DCSS
Contact DCSSIn circumstances where reporting to a Senior Associate feels uncomfortable, email our Director of Candidate Services and Standards (DCSS).
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02
Step Two
Our DCSS Listens & Responds
Is the candidate willing, with support from DCSS, to share their concerns with the Senior Associate?
If No:
DCSS, with the candidate’s permission, will correspond with the Senior Associate on the candidate’s behalf, to better understand the situation and determine next steps.
If Yes:
DCSS will recommend and support measures that empower the candidate to communicate directly and transparently with the Senior Associate.
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03
Outcome Reached
Possible Outcomes
Concern has been addressed:
The concern has been addressed, and responded to. No further action is needed.
Further action:
Depending on the nature of your concern, the DCSS may take additional steps to address it, which could include further discussion with our Leadership Team or a change in your Senior Associate assignment.
Part of a Larger Commitment.
Reporting a concern is one part of how we work to build a safe, respectful experience for every educator.
Explore our DEI Commitment to learn more about the values behind these practices, or visit our Child Protection page to see how we screen educators and vet schools with the safety of children in international school communities in mind.