About Gary
Gary MacPhie joined Search Associates in 2017 and brings more than 30 years of experience teaching and leading international schools. Having served as both a teacher and principal, he understands firsthand the rewards and challenges of international education and is passionate about helping educators build successful careers overseas.
Gary began his teaching career in Toronto in 1982. During an Additional Qualification course at the University of Toronto, a classmate shared stories about teaching in Colombia and Israel, sparking Gary’s curiosity about international education. One thing led to another, and soon he embarked on his own international adventure with the Singapore American School. From there, his career took him to the Taipei American School before moving into school leadership at International School Moshi in Tanzania (now UWC East Africa). He then served as Principal at Qatar Academy in Doha, returned to Canada as Principal of Elmwood School in Ottawa, and spent ten years as Elementary Principal at the American International School of Guangzhou, China. Along the way, Gary gained a deep appreciation for the many different school cultures, curricula, and communities that make international education such a rewarding profession.
Gary and his wife, Barbara, who works alongside him in the Canada office, raised their family overseas. Typical “Third Culture Kids,” their two daughters were born in Taiwan and attended international schools in Tanzania, Qatar, Canada, and China before launching successful careers of their own, one as a Senior Account Manager for a Canadian tech company and the other as an Architect with a global engineering firm. Their family’s experience reflects the many opportunities international education can provide, including countless travel adventures.
Now based in Stouffville, Ontario, just north of Toronto, Gary enjoys building lasting relationships with educators from Canada and around the world. International education transformed his own career and enriched his family’s life, and he now enjoys helping others discover the same opportunities. Whether supporting first time international teachers or experienced administrators, he is committed to helping educators find schools where they can grow professionally, embrace new cultures, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of students.
