Following a Long-Held Dream: Dr. Valerie Laugier Begins Her International School Career

After 25 years in schools in Austin, Texas, Dr. Valerie Laugier accepted her first international school position in Mandalay, Myanmar, in July 2025. Valerie’s story is a powerful reminder that international education welcomes professionals at every stage of their careers—and that some dreams are worth pursuing, no matter when the opportunity arrives. Search Associates was honored to help make that dream a reality.

Although new to international school teaching in Asia, Valerie has always lived an internationally minded life. Born and raised in southern France, she has lived, studied, and worked in France, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and the United States. She explains:

I have been exposed to different ways of thinking and living through past moves and traveling to 40 countries. However, this is my first position in Asian culture. While I got to this point a little differently and later than a lot of international educators, it is worth hanging on to dreams and goals.

As an only child, Valerie spent long summer afternoons captivated by books and photographs of distant places. By high school, her passions had expanded to mathematics, foreign languages, and human rights. Reading the UNESCO Courier in three languages, she dreamed of one day working for the United Nations (UN).

After earning her bachelor’s degree, Valerie initially pursued teaching, spending time at a college preparatory school in Lancashire, England, before accepting a lecturer position at the University of Texas at Austin. She remained there to complete a Ph.D. in Liberal Arts, an experience that also led to a year of research in Gothenburg, Sweden, and collaboration with the Women’s Studies Department.

The next chapter of her life took her to Stockholm with her Norwegian husband and their two young sons. When academic opportunities proved limited, Valerie began freelance translation work for Amnesty International, reconnecting with her longstanding commitment to human rights and social justice.

After returning to Austin, Valerie moved back into education, teaching Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate French while completing a master’s degree in school counseling. The transition proved transformative.

Counseling propelled the current stage of my career. It allowed me to combine the joys of interacting with growing minds and supporting the quests of teenagers from multiple backgrounds in a holistic way.

Once her own children had graduated from college and launched their careers, Valerie found herself ready for another international chapter. A colleague relocating to Asia introduced her to Search Associates (SEARCH). Valerie submitted her résumé for evaluation several years in advance and used the feedback she received to strengthen her experience for international school recruitment. She reflects:

Relying on an organization that vets qualified candidates as well as quality schools gave me the peace of mind that I would end up in the right place, as a woman moving on her own.

When Valerie officially joined Search Associates in August 2024, her Associate, Pete Kennedy, guided her through every step of the recruitment process—from answering questions about applications and cover letters to explaining school profiles and offering practical advice about expatriate life, including banking, taxes, housing, and everyday logistics.

Valerie eagerly explored opportunities through the Search Associates platform.

It was thrilling to investigate new opportunities and get a lot of detailed information about the scope of a position, the profile and needs of schools, and the benefits offered.

When she received an offer to become a college counselor at Ayeyarwaddy International School (AIS) in Mandalay, Myanmar, some friends and family questioned her decision. Valerie approached the opportunity thoughtfully.

I scoured the web for information about the country, Mandalay and AIS, but the most useful tool was to connect live with educators currently at the school, something that both my Search Associate Pete and the AIS Head of School spontaneously recommended. I decided to take the plunge and do not regret it.

Living and working in Myanmar has brought together many of the passions that have shaped Valerie’s life—from education and counseling to social justice and intercultural understanding. As a longtime student of Mandalay-born Vipassana teacher S.N. Goenka, Valerie found special meaning in moving to a country whose needs aligned with the values that had inspired her since childhood. Accepting the position felt unquestionably right, even knowing there would be challenges along the way.

Professionally, one of Valerie’s greatest adjustments has been learning to understand local cultural norms surrounding parenting and education while supporting international safeguarding practices and promoting conversations around student well-being. “It is important to navigate such aspects at the proper pace to keep earning the trust of the community,” she explains.

For educators considering international teaching, Valerie encourages careful research—but also courage.

All the leg work is amply rewarded by the experience. Depending on where you end up, not all the commodities you are used to will be available. Adjusting to a new environment and letting go of past patterns builds character and confidence. It changes you in unexpected ways too!

Valerie looks back with gratitude and excitement after completing her first “incredible” year at AIS. She has worked alongside “endearing students…and an amazing team of motivated individuals” whose diverse perspectives have enriched both her professional and personal life.

I can’t wait to delve deeper into this traditional and complex culture and this land filled with ancient marvels!