Renea Thompson’s love story and professional calling are deeply intertwined. After earning a bachelor’s degree in English literature, she began her career in retail management. But when she met her future husband, Mustafa, a flight attendant from Egypt based in Saudi Arabia, her life took an unexpected turn. Once they decided “this was going to be a thing,” they faced the challenge familiar to many international couples: how to build a life together across borders.
Renea’s first leap of faith took her to Egypt, where she found a position working with elementary students in what she describes as a “substitute-counselor-friend-parent” role. The experience was transformative. It was there she realized, this is what I want to do!
Being in education is more meaningful and purposeful than being in corporate.
As an international couple navigating visa realities, Renea and Mustafa needed a country that would allow them both to live and work together. That country turned out to be China. From 2017–2019, Renea taught English for Speakers of Other Languages, and the experience solidified her commitment to international education.
This move allowed Renea to prepare students for university study in the United States, focusing on academic English and cultural transition. It was rewarding work, but it also revealed a gap. Many of her students had learning challenges, and she felt she lacked the tools to fully support them.
Even with all my good intentions, I could see that I wasn’t able to give them the learning environment and the tools to help them reach their personal educational life goals.
Motivated to deepen her expertise, Renea returned to the United States to pursue a master’s degree and licensure in special education. She worked in Minnesota in clinical settings and traditional school environments supporting students with behavioral and emotional disorders, meaningful work that sharpened her skills and clarified her purpose. Still, she knew her long-term future was abroad. Renea says,
Living in China had opened up a world for me of how different life is to the U.S., and I got the travel bug.
In 2023, Renea was accepted into the doctoral program in Educational Leadership and Learning at the University of St. Thomas, with the additional goal of earning administrative licensure to serve as a Director of Student Services or Special Education. As she developed her dissertation focus, she became increasingly interested in how learning differences present across cultural contexts, a question that naturally drew her back toward international schools.
When she began her job search, particularly in Oman, Renea noticed that schools such as the American International School Muscat only accepted applications from candidates registered with Search Associates (SEARCH.) Curious, she joined and quickly discovered the depth of support available. She appreciated that SEARCH vetted schools carefully and provided guidance throughout the process. Her Associate, Brian Lettinga, was especially proactive.
He offered to do mock interviews and offered to help if I wanted more detailed information about a school of interest. Once he reached out to a school for an update on my behalf because they were taking a long time. They responded immediately.
Renea’s search ultimately narrowed to two schools: one in Saudi Arabia and one in Japan. As she prepared for final interviews, she learned she was pregnant. The school in Saudi Arabia explained that her July 4 due date would make the immigration timeline too difficult. The school in Japan responded differently: “We will wait for you, whenever you are ready!” Renea reflects:
It was insane. I don’t know what other schools would do that, but it was an all-girls school who believed, "If we cannot show support for our female staff, what kind of message are we sending our girls?"
Renea and Mustafa remain deeply grateful for their school in Japan. During Renea’s two-year contract, Mustafa became a devoted stay-at-home father to their daughter, Yara. But as their long-term goals evolved, it became clear it was time for a new chapter.
In October 2025, Renea began her next search. She attended the Singapore job fair in November, keeping her options open and connecting with schools and fellow educators. Although she did not accept a position at the fair, she continued checking the SEARCH platform daily.
In mid-December, the American International School of Guangzhou (AIS Guangzhou) responded to her application. What followed was a whirlwind of holiday-break interviews and enthusiastic communication. By the new year, it was official: Renea would be joining AIS Guangzhou. Her reasons were deeply personal and professional:
A school has to feel warm. I’m from Mississippi, and Mustafa is from Egypt, two warm and hospitable cultures. The place we go to must be multicultural and inclusive. We want to be in a city where we don’t feel strange.
Guangzhou offers that multicultural environment—and practical support as well. Their daughter will be cared for by an ayi, a grandmother figure, allowing Mustafa to return to work and giving Renea peace of mind. The school’s housing benefits also make long-term financial goals attainable. “We can save for our daughter. We have had some major expenses while here in Tokyo,” Renea adds.
Professionally, AIS Guangzhou aligns beautifully with her philosophy. The school embraces a holistic, whole-child approach. During interviews, she noticed that academic scores were not the central focus. Achievement was discussed in terms of individual growth, exactly the perspective a Special Education specialist hopes to find.
The administration who interviewed me said they want their educators to be better when they leave than when they came. I thought that was so big, making it your mission to grow your educators.
For educators considering an international path, Renea offers thoughtful advice:
You are going to someone else’s country. Don’t go with the mindset that you are going to make your students become what you are… American, Canadian, etc. An important part of going international is to go there to be changed! Open up to be vulnerable to the experience and rely on people you do not know. There will be difficult challenges. Understand that how you feel in the beginning will change. Give yourself time to adjust. Your job is to go and learn even more than you teach.
