As they celebrate graduating from Trent University’s Bachelor of Education program and their first long-term overseas teaching roles, Jazlin Nicholas and Liam Seaker are already preparing for an exciting new chapter abroad. With the support of Search Associates, the teaching couple has accepted positions at Canadian College Italy, where they will begin their international education careers this fall.
Jazlin and Liam first met during teachers’ college and quickly discovered a shared enthusiasm for travel, the arts, the outdoors, and education. Their common interest in global experiences and meaningful learning ultimately inspired them to pursue teaching abroad together.
Jazlin’s path into education was not a traditional one. She initially began her studies in science before realizing her true passion in visual arts. That discovery shaped not only her own future, but also the kind of educator she hopes to become. She believes students are most successful when they are encouraged to pursue what genuinely inspires them. Reflecting on the moments that matter most in the classroom, Jazlin shares:
The small, meaningful moments—the instant a concept finally clicks, or when a student who is usually quiet opens up and makes a connection. Those moments are the most rewarding.
Liam discovered his passion for teaching through coaching soccer, where he learned the value of mentorship, encouragement, and adapting instruction to meet individual needs. Those early experiences helped shape the supportive and engaging learning environments he now strives to create for students.
I find great fulfillment in creating supportive learning environments where students feel motivated, challenged, and excited about learning. Ultimately, I want to inspire students to believe in themselves, embrace challenges, and develop a lifelong love of learning.
For both educators, teaching abroad represented an opportunity to combine professional growth with cultural immersion. Jazlin, who has always loved traveling, was initially interested in teaching English abroad before learning more about overseas schools through educators who had already taken that path. “I think it is important to become global citizens ourselves and to foster that same global citizenship in future generations.”
Liam’s own overseas teaching experience began after completing his undergraduate degree, when he spent two years teaching in Spain, including placements near Jaén and in Granada, Andalucía. Living and working abroad confirmed his desire to return overseas after teachers’ college. “Immersing myself in another culture was one of the most rewarding learning experiences I’ve had to date.”
As they explored opportunities together, Jazlin and Liam discovered Search Associates through online research and immediately recognized the value of connecting with experienced educators teaching abroad and schools worldwide. Attending the Search Toronto Job Fair became a defining part of their search process.
Our Associates Gary and Barbara MacPhie were extremely helpful with their guidance, especially for us, as we are new to overseas teaching and teaching in general. We attended the Search Toronto job fair, and it was an amazing experience. It was very well organized and had an excellent turnout of international schools. We also got to meet so many like-minded individuals who had a wealth of knowledge to share.
Throughout their search, Jazlin and Liam approached the process thoughtfully, researching schools carefully and using the SEARCH platform to compare opportunities and determine the best fit for their goals and values. They were ultimately drawn to the welcoming community and close-knit environment at Canadian College Italy.
Now preparing for their move to Italy, the couple is eager to begin building their careers within an international school community while embracing all the opportunities that come with living abroad. They encourage other aspiring overseas educators to do as they did:
Take the leap because there may not ever be the ‘right time’ to go teach overseas. We would wholeheartedly recommend attending a job fair even if it does not seem like the perfect position is available for you. We made so many connections with educators and administrators from schools across the world. Taking risks and being proactive really does pay off.
