Candidate Stories, Page 2

Candidate Stories, Page 2


 

 
Olympian Athletic Coach Conrad Francis | July 29, 2022

Born and raised in Sri Lanka, Conrad Francis, a talented swimmer, was sent at age 15 for specialized training at Nunawading Swimming Club in...


 
Samuel and Shanel: Happy Endings and New Beginnings | June 8, 2022

Shanel and Samuel Fretwell are getting ready to move to Morocco, their first overseas teaching adventure! That is not to say their lives haven’t...


 
The Peace Corps Gift: A Start in International Teaching | May 19, 2022

Californian Nick Porras got his first taste of teaching—and Africa—through the Peace Corps. His undergraduate degree in hand, Nick moved to...


 
The Lieschkes: Adventures in Asia, and Now Africa Awaits! | April 25, 2022

When Simone and Nathan first met in Hobart, Tasmania, Simone was still at university, and Nathan—originally from New South Wales—was working...


 
Alma Rubi Bona: Finding New Comfort Zones | March 8, 2022

In her 18 years of international education, Rubi Bona has enjoyed adventures in Dubai, Turkey, Nepal, Indonesia, Iraq, and, currently, Pakistan....


 
The Many Journeys of Teaching Couple Canan and Murat | February 15, 2022

Murat Gökalp and Canan Cermen have been working with Search Associates (SEARCH) since Day 1, they say, having learned about us from international...


 
Sara Zohoré: Answering the Call | January 28, 2022

Sara Zohoré began her journey as a middle school math teacher in the inner-city of Houston, Texas, U.S. when Teach for America recruited her....


 
The Meswanis: From Ethiopia to Korea to Singapore | January 7, 2022

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...


 
Intercontinental Couple Bianca Luna and Arminda Ortiz | December 14, 2021

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...


 
A Life-Changing Experience for the Whole Family | November 21, 2021

With her degree in engineering, Mery Tellez took a job in the Information Technology Department at Colegio Panamericano, Colombia, her home country....


 
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...

Did You Know…?

Senior Associate Gary MacPhie is based in Toronto, Canada where he started his teaching career, and then spent 26 years overseas as a teacher, principal and recruiter in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.