Maya Drezgic’s Truly International Family

Maya Drezgic has been an international educator for her entire career—18 years, and counting! Born in what is current Serbia, Maya left her country just after the war to start her teaching career in Botswana. She took a position at Westwood International School in Gaborone, a special time in which she married Milan Candrlic, a Croatian citizen, and she had the opportunity to train in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme. Maya’s next position was in the founding team of a brand new school, the British International School of Shanghai. After that, she joined another talented team of educators at Western International School of Shanghai. And it was in Shanghai in 2007 that Maya and Milan welcomed the birth of their son Denny. Maya and her family moved to Bandung, Indonesia, where she became an administrator in addition to teaching at Bandung Independent (International) School.  Now Maya and her family have moved to Dubai where she has joined the team of excellent educators at GEMS international school, Al Khail. Maya says,

“Every international school brings a unique experience to its teachers. I love all the elements of the journey; we are not just educators but learners as well!”

Since joining Search Associates in 2010, Maya has enjoyed the personal assistance of Senior Associate Harry Deelman and his team. She has also benefited from the Search Associates website. With email alerts arriving in her inbox daily, she cannot help but progress smoothly through a job search. Having attended a number of job fairs, Maya adds,

“The fairs might seem very competitive at times but are also very useful and exciting professional development opportunities, and I  . . . have been guided and supported in the process. . . I enjoy the energy and the buzz that each fair brings to educators’ lives.”

Maya feels strongly that international schools provide a crucial role in developing a passion for global awareness, which she feels is critical to the desire to take action in order to improve lives both locally and globally. She is so very proud to call her son– now 11–”a third culture kid,” who speaks several languages and embraces all the cultures he has lived in. Eighteen years in, Maya is still excited and inspired:

“Becoming an international school educator means a commitment to [professional and personal] self-betterment . . . Learning and growing opportunities are elements of daily lives. . . I really enjoy my job!”