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The city is expensive, the culture is weary of foreigners, the language is among the more difficult to learn, and Russians are known for racism and intolerance of homosexuals. Add to that seven months of winter, and one may wonder "why work there?". The answer to that question is: It's AAS! • Great pay/savings potential despite the expense of the city (which is historic and exciting in its own right). • Wonderful PD opportunities at school and a healthy stipend for anything you want to go to yourself. • Huge PD grants if you want to pursue an M.A. or Ph.D. and a healthy boost on the salary scale when you achieve your degree. • Outstanding health insurance • Excellent retirement with big matching funds and an account in your name that goes to work for you from the start (not an interest-free loan to the school and a payout to you at the end of the year/contract). Financial experts interested in your success administer this account, with fees paid by the school as long as you work here. • Stellar facilities including a complete aquatics program, multiple gyms and PE spaces, tennis courts, football pitches, multiple theaters, art studios, excellent libraries, and computer facilities that continue to expand. • Fully paid and maintained housing in three excellent locations with the option to move to one of the other two if you so desire. • Incredible cafeteria selection every day at lunch (sushi bar, salad bar, international buffet, vegetarian options, dessert bar, pasta bar, on site barista) and it serves breakfast too. • Outstanding, helpful caring familial staff that helps with all matters professional. • Excellent HR staff that organizes outside of school events that range from chocolate factory tours to skydiving. There are only a handful of schools that compare favorably to AAS Moscow. Your time is valued, and parents and administration alike appreciate your work. That said, you will never work harder as a teacher. The pace is fast, the expectations are high and there is no end to the meetings, but all of them have a clear purpose, and all work is done according to a strategic plan that is public and transparent. It isn't all roses and chocolate though, politics have reared their ugly head in the last couple years under the new director as American parents, lead by an ambassador determined to have his children attend a particular Ivy League school have been forcing policy changes. Still, this is a top tier school for students and teachers alike.