teaching experience at interkids bilingual school
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Teaching Experience at Interkids Bilingual School Messages from Ms. Lindsay Black
“My experience teaching at IBS was amazing and unforgettable.” The very first day I felt welcomed and was greeted with a smile. Everyone at IBS was very helpful and friendly throughout my entire stay. Everyone also went out of their way to ensure that I was included in all of the events and activities and I also felt part of the IBS community. It was very nice to see all of the different teachers getting along and working together even though there was
a language barrier. I really liked how all of the teachers were always smiling and welcoming towards the students and parents in the morning at the large gate. The teachers came to work ready to teach and rarely complained about their duties. The school always tried to accommodate and work with the parents to guarantee the best learning environment for their student. One of my favorite memories from working at IBS was attending and performing the Teacher’s Day celebration. I felt so honored to be a part of the Thai dance performance and the foreign teacher performance. Also, the speech given by the director was so inspiring, moving and heartfelt that I started to tear up. I will never forget that event and hopefully try to bring some of that tradition to my school in America. It was also very great to experience and witness all of the great school spirit that the students and staff all had. All of the events were very elaborate and really showed the parents how much this school treasures their students and honors each event. Also, for each event it was very nice to see how the students and teachers all put in the extra time and effort to prepare and clean up. Lastly, it was really amazing to be part of such an amazing work environment. All of the teachers came to school prepared and put in so much effort on a daily basis to provide the best education to each student. All the teachers and the administration are not only very hard working, but are also always smiling, joking and enjoying life to the fullest. Being able to complete your job and teach the children while also having a smile on your face and laugh throughout the day is what really sets the good work environments and the amazing work environments apart and IBS is unquestionably an AMAZING place to work at. My only suggestions would be to orient the foreign teachers a little more at the beginning before they start working. Show them how to check the books and the form to record the book checking. Another suggestion would be to inform the teachers a little more in advance about upcoming expectations and changes. Many teachers have families at home and it is considerate to provide them with the upcoming changes to uniform or events or grading policies a few days in advance. Thank you so much for hiring and allowing me to be part of the IBS community. I will never forget all that I have learned while working at your school and will bring it with me where I teach next!
Messages from Ms. Carly Sethman
“Thai-changing Experience” Before I made the decision to move to Thailand my life was filled with uncertainties and I was becoming increasingly more nervous about my “life plan.” I graduated college with a dual Bachelor’s of Science in elementary and special education and spent the next three years teaching in a variety of different settings trying to find where I felt fulfilled. Growing up I had distinct dream of joining the PeaceCorps after college graduation and to make a small difference in the world by teaching in a country in need of teachers. Reality of life as a poor, naïve college alumni set in after graduation and I chose the path more well beaten to work and save money. Three years later, unsettled, unsatisfied, and craving the dream I once had, I discovered teaching abroad through the programs Greenheart Travel and XploreAsia. September 30, 2016 the airplane carrying me and my absurd amount of luggage landed in Bangkok, Thailand and my life hasn’t stop improving every day since.
Through a well designed TESOL course and cultural emersion program developed by XploreAsia, I spent the first month learning and adapting. The program facilitates job placement throughout Thailand using a layout of preferences from the participant. My preference list included only one: ‘Anywhere EXCEPT Bangkok.’ Ironically this is precisely where I was placed. They call it serendipity, when something happens by chance in a happy or beneficial way.
I was linked with a private bilingual school located on the outskirts of the city, Interkids Bilingual School (IBS), where I have been teaching K1-3 and grades 4-9 in English, phonics, and reading.
“Serendipitous” is the word I choose to describe my experience teaching here at IBS thus far. I’ve compared IBS to the 5 star resort of schools in Thailand. At our school, students learn using a cross-curricular approach in Thai, English, and Chinese. They are given a rigorous class schedule and are facilitated to carry the morals of today’s leaders. The organization, support of management, and welcoming school environment are aspects of IBS that impressed me from the start. I am continually overwhelmed with the incredible extra-curricular activities and events offered at this
school. I have been immersed in such culturally diverse activities organized by IBS including student achievement, teacher recognition and Thai/Chinese holidays.
Many differences exist between the American schools I grew up and taught in and the Thai school system. Although they both carry benefits, the love, warmth, and family-like environment that exists at IBS should be compared second to none. I am in no position to rate and compare the quality of education across Thailand, nor America. I am young and in the scheme of life have only experienced a small amount. What I can testify to however, is the quality of experience I have gained by becoming a part of the IBS family. Moving to Thailand has completely changed my life but working at IBS has made that life change more positive, joyful and uplifting than I could have ever anticipated.
During this journey I’ve inadvertently stumbled over my own world views and collided with unfamiliar ground. All the while, the welcoming and accepting culture of my co-workers and management provided me with comfort and confidence to get up, dust myself off and develop personal growth to see the world as the bright place it is. I am confident my experience in Thailand would be completely different had I not chosen XploreAsia, had my preferences totally disregarded, and been placed to teach here at Interkids Bilingual School.
Messages from Ms. Kim Staflund
To the management, staff, parents, and students of Interkids Bilingual School (IBS): As my one semester of teaching at IBS3 comes to an end, I want to express my gratitude and appreciation to you all. These six months in Thailand have been wonderful beyond my expectations; and, although I’ll be delighted to see my friends and family back in Canada again very soon, I will definitely miss all my new friends and my IBS family here in Bangkok.
I’ve always had a great deal of respect for teachers, but that respect has grown even
stronger after being a part of this school. Even before the school year officially began, in early May 2016 I was asked to attend a team building day for all the full-‐time teachers of IBS1, IBS2, and IBS3. On this day, I got my first real glimpse of the professionalism and dedication of everyone at IBS. So much thought and planning went into every single presentation and activity. It wasn’t only about educating us; it was about making the day fun for us so we would enjoy our time together. That extra bit of preparation takes a real effort, and I’ve continued to see this level of effort put in by IBS management and staff with everything from morning assemblies and daily classroom management to the more elaborate celebrations such as Asanha Bucha and Buddhist Lent Day, Thai Language Day, and Mother’s Day.
When I told my family back in Canada that we’re at school by seven o’clock every single day so we can “Wai” the students and wish them a good morning as they arrive, they were impressed. That’s not something we do in Canadian schools; but, as a parent, I can definitely see the value in it. I know how hard it sometimes is to drop off a child at school—especially the little ones
who are crying because they just want to stay at home with mom and dad. That kind of thing hurts a parent’s heart; so, I think it’s great that IBS sees its teachers’ responsibilities as not only teaching the students but also providing them with a safe and caring environment all day long, to give their parents that extra peace of mind. I think it’s a beautiful thing that the students are greeted by their teachers with a “good morning” every single day, and I enjoy doing it. I’m not only impressed by the
teachers at this school, but also by the students. I continue to be amazed whenever I see five-‐year-‐olds standing on a stage, holding a microphone in their tiny hands, and doing public speaking in front of large groups of their peers, teachers, and parents. Actually, I’m impressed when any of the students do it; and I’ve seen many of them, in all age groups, stand on that stage and either speak or sing or dance in front of large crowds of people. I suppose I have no excuse for how nervous I sometimes feel when I’m handed a microphone and asked to say a little something to our students’ parents. If these kids can do it, then so can I. Thank you also for hanging that Canadian flag up at IBS3. I know the main reason for hanging up those flags is to show each parent all the different countries your teachers come from to help make their child a child of the world. I’m sure that makes them feel proud, but I want you to know it also made me feel proud. I love my country as much as you love yours, so that little extra attention to detail on your part—even something as simple as hanging up a flag—touched my heart. It made me smile. Truth be told, I’ve never been treated as well as I’ve been treated by everyone at IBS. You’ve all gone above and beyond to make my time here really special, and I do appreciate it. And my students? What little sweethearts they all are! Boy, am I going to be in for a rude awakening when I return to Canada and I’m not smothered with the hugs and “I love yous” of several children every time I walk into a room. I’ll definitely miss that, and I promise you I’m really cherishing every little hug I get from them during these last few weeks at IBS.
I want you to know how very grateful I am for the experience, and now it’s time for me to return home to my family in Canada. I miss them. It’s as simple as that. It was always my intention to return home eventually. What I didn’t expect was how much I would grow to love Thailand while I was here! I can definitely see myself visiting again some day, and I’ll be sure to stop by IBS to say hello when I do. Thank you again for a wonderful and life-‐changing experience. I will miss you all very much.
Teaching Experience at Interkids Bilingual School