How it all Began

The little experience I had in Rwanda teaching English

My kids coloring in Rwanda

Teaching math in Thailand

I have now had a number of people ask me about how I got my teaching job in Thailand.  It was quite easy and it happened very fast.  I applied just after my Peace Corps "close of service" conference.  I had originally applied and been accepted to work at an outdoor education camp in New York state.  After my cos conference I realized I did not want to move back to America quite yet.  A fellow peace corps volunteer loves looking and recommending jobs for people.  So she actually found this job on idealist.org and sent me the link.  At first I thought I was not qualified for this job.  They wanted 2 years of experience teaching kindergarten, a TESOL certification and a BA in education.  I had none of these but was encouraged to go ahead and apply anyway.  I sent my application on February 14, 2012.  I got a response on the 16th wanting a skype interview.  I had my interview on the 20th.  The connection was really bad, we had to turn off the video, and we could barley hear each other.  After the interview I immediately received an e-mail that I was hired and had a week to decide.  After much thought, and discussion with lots of people and making a pro/con list I accepted the job a week later.  I then spent a month in America with family and friends.  I had to get a non-immigrant B visa in DC at the Thai Embassy.  I had to get a background check and after booking my flight for May 5th arriving May 7th in Thailand I was ready to go.  I started work on May 8th teaching kindergarten, something I had never done before. 

I loved this gig so much I am moving to Mandalay, Burma on May 10th to teach English there for one year.  I will be teaching likely grade one but could be any primary school grade level.  Until then I will be traveling around Thailand and South East Asia! 

Good websites for Teaching Abroad:
eslcafe.com
eslbase.com
seriousteachers.com
ajarn.com
totalesl.com

It's time to say Goodbye

Me with my Thai teacher and her husband

My styled curly hair!

On Saturday the parents of my students threw me and my co-teachers a thank you, goodbye party.  It was a well planned party.  They had meetings to discuss it after school.  It was really exciting to have the parents appreciate all my hard work.  I decided to have my hair professionally stylied for the first time in my life.  Thai people love getting there hair done and I knew it would be greatly appreciated.  


The party was located at a fancy restaurant outside of town (I cannot pronounce or write the name), my teacher picked me up and drove me there.   A huge banner was made with photos of the teachers and the students (I wish i had a photo of it but I forgot to take one).


The first event was a slideshow of photos and video footage from throughout the year.  The students were taped saying all they had learned this year and how much they loved their teachers.  

Delicious food was served at each table throughout the 2 hour party.  We had duck, fish, and pork fried rice.  Appetizers with sausages and hot dogs.   

FOOD!

Dance performance

Saying thank you and receiving our gifts.

The students sang and danced.  We have been practicing these songs for this event for over 3 weeks.
 Then games like musical chairs and balloon
 popping games were played.  I went around and
 took pictures with every family.  It was a really
 nice party.  At the end I was given a silk scarf as a gift. 

Bags full of toys including toy guns... (bad idea)

Photos with the families

Me with our wonderful nanny

Me and my co-teacher