Teacher/Jetsetter

How does an educator get into the exciting and dynamic world of international schools? How do you set yourself apart from the hundreds of other qualified and experienced applicants vying for the same job? And what's so different about working at an international school compared to your "home country"? I reached across two sides of the Pacific and chatted with two former colleagues with a lot of creative ideas, insight, and experience as expat educators: my former principal, Craig Eldred (@craigseldred), and PE teacher Marcus Down (@down_with_pe).

My friends Heather and Charles love visiting new, and often less touristy, places. In this episode, they talk about their recent trip to Mongolia, including what souvenir they wish they had bought.

As international school teachers, there's a lot to be grateful for. We travel to the Philippines for our first Asian trip since the pandemic and talk about the challenges and rewards of living the expat life, travel and family.

In Episode 3, I chat with Trevor and Stephanie Cory, 15-year veterans of the expat life in Korea. We discuss where home is for them, their favorite restaurant in Seoul, and how they're getting ready to move to the Middle East in pursuit of more international adventures. Plus, my wife Jenn and I introduce a new segment called "Sightseeing Wishlist".

We are joined by Derek Marshall, who grew up all over the US and has been in Korea for many years. He was a member of the Peace Corps before getting into teaching, and we talk about his time connecting with the local community in Samoa, as well as some travel stories from post-civil war Sri Lanka. Derek is currently doing his internship at Korea International School.

On the first episode of Teacher/Jetsetter, we speak with Jennifer LeVarge, the Principal of Korea International School Seoul Campus. She talks about what it's like when schools have to close and move to an e-learning model. She also shares what it's like in Beijing right now, where home is, and whether she would leave Korea if the coronovirus outbreak gets any worse.