After years as a teacher and administrator, Mark A. Valvano has recently accepted his first overseas leadership role as Elementary School Principal at Seoul International School (SIS) in South Korea, with the support of Search Associates (SEARCH). For Mark, this move isn’t simply a career transition; it is the realization of something deeply rooted in who he has always been.
From a young age, geography captivated Mark. He was the child who memorized countries and capitals for fun. That early fascination shaped his academic path and later became the foundation of his career in social studies.
When Mark first stepped into the classroom as a humanities teacher, he was energized by the creativity of the work: designing lessons that made history feel alive and helping students find their voices through writing and discussion. What drew him the most, however, was relationship building. Partnering with families to help students grow in confidence felt deeply meaningful. Mark reflects,
Education, at its heart, is about impact—on individual students, on families, and on entire communities. I feel incredibly fortunate that I found this work when I did.
Encouraged by a principal who recognized his potential, Mark transitioned into administration. Though not a path he initially envisioned, he discovered how deeply he enjoyed shaping culture, supporting teachers, and building systems that allowed communities to thrive. One defining chapter of his career was leading his school through the COVID-19 pandemic:
This extraordinary challenge reinforced why I do this work. Schools are more than buildings; they are communities. Protecting that sense of connection and stability during uncertainty requires empathy, adaptability, and clear communication.
During that time, Mark began hosting nightly virtual stories for students. What started as a simple way to stay connected quickly became something special. Families tuned in together, and parents even began mailing him books to read aloud.
After the passing of his mother nearly two years ago, Mark found himself thinking more intentionally about courage and timing. He knows without hesitation that his mom, who believed deeply in taking meaningful leaps, would have told him to go for it. Looking back, he realizes that “the idea of living and leading in a truly international context is a natural extension” of something that has always been a part of him. His curiosity about the world, combined with a desire for meaningful professional growth, made the leap into international education feel both timely and personally significant.
International education entered Mark’s life unexpectedly—through a casual encounter with a friend of a friend he met while traveling one summer. Intrigued by that person’s life abroad, Mark started researching the international school world. Conversations with overseas educators and deep dives into school profiles sparked an overwhelming sense of “possibility rather than risk.”
A friend’s cousin working in Doha introduced Mark to Search Associates, encouraging him to explore it among other platforms. After considering his options, Mark selected SEARCH as his “primary hub.” He explains:
The platform is intuitive and information rich. It felt organized and professional — which matters when you’re navigating something as significant as an international move…Above all, it was the people behind the platform who made the greatest impact. The advisor support and the human guidance throughout the process were instrumental.
Still, the process required patience. Although Mark completed his profile in early fall, “things didn’t begin to gain real traction until late December and early January. Receiving several “no” responses—or no response at all—was challenging.” At moments, he wondered whether he had misunderstood the landscape. To stay grounded, Mark created simple organizational structures: notes, reflections, and guiding questions that helped him clarify what truly mattered.
His experience at the Search Associates Cambridge fair proved transformative. The event was “intense…but incredibly energizing,” giving him opportunities to have real conversations, ask deeper questions, and observe how schools articulated their missions. He recalls:
I highly recommend the experience to any educator considering an international move…Perhaps the absolute best part was having Senior Associate Renée Green and the entire SEARCH team there…They were helpful, encouraging, and at times even cheerleaders when I needed one. That level of presence and support made a significant difference.
Entering the fair with a narrow geographic focus, Mark soon found himself thinking differently. He became less concerned about location and more interested in “missional alignment and community.” That shift proved pivotal.
Seoul International School came onto his radar as he expanded his search. He studied the school closely: its mission, governance, philosophy of leadership, and vision for students. He also explored Seoul’s cultural landscape, captivated by the city’s “remarkable balance between tradition and innovation.” Through the interview process, Mark’s sense of alignment grew stronger:
After meeting with the leadership team, something felt familiar — almost like home…Throughout the process, I felt genuinely valued — not just as a candidate, but as a leader.
Mark’s advice to aspiring international educators is simple and generous:
Keeping an open mind, and an open heart, makes a difference. Allow yourself to be surprised…Be patient. Use the wait-time to refine your story. Reach out to people. Ask questions. Reflect on what you’re truly looking for…If you approach the process with curiosity and persistence, the right opportunity will find you — often when you least expect it.
