After two fulfilling decades in South Africa, veteran educators Lisa and Paul Green never imagined their careers would take them across the world. Yet a single conversation with a close friend teaching overseas sparked a turning point. Now in their third year at Achieve Xiamen International School (AXIS) in Xiamen, China, they are thriving—both personally and professionally—and Search Associates (SEARCH) has been proud to support their journey.
Although the couple had traveled before, working abroad had never truly crossed their minds. But hearing their friend’s stories “brought about an epiphany,” Lisa explains, “and reframed our perspective.” That conversation opened their eyes to new possibilities and inspired them to pursue a chapter filled with cultural immersion, fresh challenges, and the opportunity to share their passion with students from around the world. As Lisa reflects,
The decision to teach abroad was driven by a desire for mutual exchange—to bring our expertise and be shaped by a new international and cultural experience.
Teaching has always been deeply meaningful to Lisa, who remembers playing school as a child and feeling at home in the classroom from a young age. Her greatest joy remains helping students discover their strengths. For her, the most powerful moments come when a learner says "Thank you for believing in me" or when a former student says, “Your belief in me made all the difference."
Paul’s path into education began with observing teachers’ styles growing up. He often imagined how he might make learning more engaging for children. That curiosity became a motivation—to help students explore independently and use those discoveries as a foundation for deeper learning. “At the heart of teaching,” he says, “school must be a fun place where every child feels safe and supported in their classroom.”
Their friend working overseas encouraged them to explore international education with Search Associates as their “exclusive recruiting agency,” and the Greens felt immediately supported.
The platform proved to be exceptionally beneficial. The most valuable aspect was the personalised guidance from our Associate Gez Hayden, who provided expert advice and steadfast support throughout the entire process. His comprehensive support structure allowed us to navigate the international job market with confidence and ultimately secure an ideal position that was a perfect fit for our professional goals and personal aspirations. We are incredibly grateful for the role Search Associates played in our career journey.
Originally focused on Europe, Lisa and Paul expanded their search after Gez encouraged them to consider Asia. They appreciated how user-friendly the SEARCH platform was and spent time browsing school profiles, exploring each school’s mission and values.
We were cautious, applying to two schools that aligned with our goals. We knew it was the right choice after our interview with the head of school (Bill Pearson). We were blessed to be offered a position almost immediately. Location was a huge factor, and Xiamen, although extremely hot, was a beautiful destination with low pollution levels and a growing expat community.
Over the past two and a half years, Paul and Lisa have embraced the challenge of adapting their practice to an international setting, “managing an international curriculum for a global body.” The fundamentals of good teaching remain the same, yet the shift pushed them out of their comfort zone in the best possible way. They describe the experience simply: “It is a great adventure!”
With the same enthusiasm that carried them to China, Lisa and Paul Green encourage other educators to take the leap into global teaching:
Research the destination you have in mind, look at schools, communities and the culture of that country. Read reviews to hear what others have to say. Make sure you have your qualifications in order and sign up with a reputable recruitment agency. We would recommend Search Associates. Go for it! You only live once! Get out there and be the change!
