Candidate Stories

The Meswanis: From Ethiopia to Korea to Singapore

Lucky timing set Charu and Asit Meswani on a career path they love. In the early 90s, they had just returned to Ethiopia after completing their bachelor’s degrees in India. Though born in Ethiopia,…

Intercontinental Couple Bianca Luna and Arminda Ortiz

Secondary science teachers Bianca Luna and Arminda Ortiz met in at a public high school in southwest Kansas, U.S. when both of them started teaching over 15 years ago. Bianca, who had graduated…

A Life-Changing Experience for the Whole Family

With her degree in engineering, Mery Tellez took a job in the Information Technology Department at Colegio Panamericano, Colombia, her home country. Drawn to the rich variety of cultures, life…

Ice Treyanurak: Fearless and Flexible | November 1, 2021

Ice Treyanurak was made to bust stereotypes. Born and raised in Thailand, he began his development in global citizenship as a child. Until his...

Harish Kanabar: From Refugee to Role Model | October 7, 2021

My family lost everything when we were expelled from Uganda in 1972. We literally arrived with the clothes we were wearing. Refugee, father...

P.E. Teacher Makes an International Leap | September 29, 2021

Sharon Awuor Wasonga finally landed her dream job through tremendous perseverance along with the support of an old friend as well as her Search...

An International Couple with an International Calling | September 7, 2021

International teaching couple Ralph Emmerink and Gaby Montejano met in a classroom. Ralph, born and raised in the Netherlands, had taken an overseas...

Jon Nordmeyer: A Life of Enriching Intersections | August 17, 2021

Jon Nordmeyer was destined to work in education from the start. Around schools his whole life, this son of thriving, beloved teachers admired...

Nancy Remondi: Embrace the Unexpected | May 30, 2021

Don’t worry Ma; it’s just for a year! These were the exact words Nancy Remondi used to reassure her sweet, immigrant Italian mother when she...

Brittney Caldwell: “Let the Day Seize Itself!” | May 8, 2021

Brittney Caldwell’s original plan was to take a steady job as a school paraprofessional in order to support a move to Atlanta to study law. But...

The Elgers: Improvisation is the Key | April 15, 2021

College Admission Officer Elizabeth Elger and aspiring Sports Broadcaster Joey Elger enjoyed aspects of their first careers, but the strain of...

The Gardners Have Arrived | March 21, 2021

Steve and Alina Gardner were tempted by other career paths before finding their way back to their true calling. Alina, born and raised in China,...

Tessa John-Guerra’s Leap of Faith | February 28, 2021

Born and raised on the island of Saint Lucia, Tessa John-Guerra was a teacher for three years and school counselor for 16 before deciding to...

David Karayan: Following the Spark of Light | February 6, 2021

One month of teaching at a summer camp was enough to convince undergraduate David Karayan that math education was his calling. Twenty-four years...

Charles Franklin II: Making the Right Choice | January 14, 2021

Two high school teachers made such an impact on his life that Charles Franklin II decided to become an educator himself. After five years of...

Teaching in International Schools: No Looking Back | December 20, 2020

Over 18 years, Amos Owiti and his wife Martha Ojwang have taught in international schools in Kenya, Ethiopia, Singapore, China, and most recently,...

Barbara Wrightson: Life, Love, and Learning on Three Continents | December 3, 2020

When Barbara Wrightson earned her B.A. in International Affairs, specializing in Russian and Eastern European Studies, she did not intend to...

Binita Dey: From India to Spain, Austria, and Myanmar | November 12, 2020

Growing up in New Delhi, Binita Dey was exposed to many different aspects of Hispanic cultures and people. Her father, a professor of Comparative...

Albina and Charles: Determined to Give Back | November 1, 2020

Albina Mululu and Charles Ochola, both children of educators, grew up basking in their parents’ joy when students and their families thanked...

Barika Andrews: From South Florida to Abu Dhabi | October 21, 2020

Growing up in South Florida, a region with a robust multicultural population, Barika Andrews understood that being part of a diverse community...