Alums Gilbert Kaburu and Kezia Otoa met, fell in love, and discovered their shared calling in their home country of Uganda. Empowered to explore academics, the arts, and sports, they were inspired by the teachers who shaped their early lives—and ultimately chose to follow in their footsteps. Since then, their international teaching path has taken them across continents, including tenures at the International School of Uganda (ISU), Khartoum International Community School (KICS), and The American School of Kinshasa (TASOK). Now, through Gilbert’s fifth placement with Search Associates (SEARCH), the couple is embarking on their next chapter—in Korea.
With deep expertise in their respective fields—Kezia in visual art and design and Gilbert in physical education and athletics leadership—they find joy in both their professional and personal lives:
We cherish meeting new people and exploring diverse systems, as it enriches our understanding of what makes us human—our similarities and differences. These experiences fuel our motivation, not just for ourselves, but for our children as well.
Kezia’s international career began shortly after completing her Bachelor of Industrial Art and Design. Starting as an art teacher assistant at ISU, she later earned certification through the University of Sunderland and completed her teaching practice in Bangalore, India—where Gilbert was also teaching at the time. Over the past 15 years, she has taught Visual Art within the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years (PYP) and Middle Years (MYP) Programmes, bringing creativity and a global perspective to every classroom.
Gilbert’s career spans more than two decades and across eight schools across Uganda, India, Sudan, China, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Beginning as an Assistant PE Teacher and swim coach, he advanced to roles including Aquatics Coordinator and Physical and Health Educator, teaching students from pre-K to college. He holds a Bachelor of International Relations from Makerere University in Uganda, a master’s in education from The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), and both a second master’s and a Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning from The Ohio State University.
Back in 2010, as the couple considered teaching opportunities beyond Uganda, friends already affiliated with SEARCH encouraged Gilbert and Kezia to register. In 2014, Gilbert attended his first of several SEARCH job fairs, which they fondly recall as “always a great place to catch up with our Senior Associate Gez, meet old colleagues, and interview with schools.”
During their most recent job search, the Kaburus focused on opportunities that aligned with their family’s values and aspirations. They consulted mentors—whom they lovingly call their “prayer—or rather—career warriors”—around the world. Gilbert adds:
These connections have been invaluable. Our Search Associate, Gez Hayden, has always been a trusted source of advice and encouragement.
Their proactive approach led them to The International School of Busan (ISB), which had reached out to them prior to the Search London fair. After meeting Director Simon McCloskey, Gilbert accepted a role at ISB, and Kezia will be joining the community as a middle school art and design teacher.
As educators and parents of two children, Madiba (14) and Malaika (12), the Kaburus reflect often on the value of teaching overseas:
Teaching at home can sometimes limit one’s worldview, as the familiar surroundings and cultural norms shape our perspectives. In contrast, teaching overseas opens up a vibrant tapestry of cultures, languages, and traditions that enrich not only our professional lives but also our family's understanding of the world…Living in different countries allows us to immerse ourselves in diverse communities, learn from our students and colleagues, and connect with families from all walks of life.
Their parents have witnessed Madiba and Malaika blossom in international settings, becoming open-minded and globally aware. Ironically, it was the COVID-19 pandemic—during which the family returned to Uganda for an extended stay—that deepened their children’s connection to their heritage. Gilbert and Kezia smile as they recall:
They are now more Ugandan than they had ever been before the lockdown...One of the highlights of their overseas school experience has been the PYP exhibition where each of them chose to exhibit areas that focused on Ugandan food and fashion, respectively. In the national system, they would have had to sit for national exams that valued content retention rather than conceptual understanding.
For the Kaburus, international teaching is more than a career—it’s a lifestyle rooted in curiosity, service, and shared adventure. Their advice to aspiring global educators is simple:
Use Search Associates because of the transparency with their school offers that is unique, and we often talk about how happy we are with Gez as our Associate.
From Uganda to Korea, and many countries in between, Gilbert and Kezia Kaburu continue to live their mission: to learn, grow, and inspire—together.
