Growing up, my mom (bless her soul) had this charming vision of me becoming a teacher. She thought it would be great for my physical conditions. I, on the other hand, dreamed of donning a white coat as a doctor or psychiatrist. Unfortunately, our finances were more of a reality check than a ticket to med school.
After high school, my brother (Kuya Jimmy) suggested I try accounting because, let’s face it, who doesn’t dream of spreadsheets and tax forms? I eagerly pursued a Bachelor of Science in Commerce. I did well academically, but a minor hiccup kept me from majoring in Accounting, so I ended up with Management. Not quite what I had in mind, but hey, life’s about rolling with the punches!
Then came a twist that changed everything: I was introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. My missionary work sparked a passion for teaching I didn’t know I had. It was like finding out you’re a natural at karaoke—surprising and exciting!
After my mission, I got to teach new missionaries, which was fantastic. Next stop: Thailand! I took a leap and became an ESL teacher for high school students. But, of course, just when I was settling in, the Ministry of Education decided to raise the bar for teacher qualifications. Talk about adding salt to the wound!
With financial hurdles in the way, I was on a quest for a way to fund my education. I found Ramkhamhaeng University in Bangkok—a prestigious place with a price tag to match. I reached out to the head of the English department at my school, shared my plight, and, to my amazement, she offered to lend me the tuition money. Her generosity meant I could pay in manageable instalments, which was a lifesaver!
With her support, I enrolled in the Education degree program and, with a lot of hard work, completed it successfully. I earned my professional teaching license and continued my journey in Thailand. Her help was a game-changer, proving that a little kindness can sometimes turn a challenging situation into a stepping stone.
Thailand was incredible. I fell in love with the culture, made great friends, and saw my career flourish. But, as life loves to mix things up, another opportunity knocked on my door.
Seven years later, I moved to Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, to be closer to my sister and her daughters. I joined the House of Colours as a Kindergarten Teacher. Despite my experience being more suited to older students, the HOC management (big shoutout to Miss Christine, the founder and former director!) offered me a chance to study CACHE Level 3 in early childhood education. They even let me pay through salary deductions. I completed the course and was promoted to a supervisory role – talk about a win-win!
With newfound experience, I applied to schools in Germany. While most required a B1 level of German, Phorms Education saw the value in my qualifications and hired me as an English Early Years Educator in a bilingual kindergarten. It was like finding the golden ticket, all thanks to my background and relentless effort.
After moving to Germany with my son, I started learning German while living here. Over time, I worked hard and achieved a B1 level of proficiency. We’ve been in Germany for nearly five years now, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the chance to continue my teaching career in such a vibrant setting.
With a solid background and lots of teaching experience, I set my sights on advancing my career even further. I was keen to pursue a master’s degree in education, but my attempts to apply to German universities were challenged by their C1 German language requirement. Though I had already reached B1, it still wasn’t enough to meet the criteria, creating a bit of a roadblock.
Then I discovered Tes Institute, which offered an online master’s degree in Education in partnership with the University of East London. I applied, and to my delight, I was accepted! I completed the program with distinction, proving that even with initial setbacks, determination and the right opportunities can lead to success.
My journey to becoming a teacher has been full of twists, challenges, and support from some incredible people. Each step along the way, whether in Thailand, Abu Dhabi, or Germany, has shaped who I am today. And as I reflect on those experiences, I find that every chapter holds its own story—some that still bring a smile, and others that have taught me invaluable lessons.
There’s always more to uncover in these memories, and I look forward to sharing more insights and stories as I continue on this path. After all, every journey has its own surprises, and sometimes, looking back is the best way to understand just how far we’ve come.
Stay tuned – there’s always more to explore. 😊
Interesting experience. Thanks for sharing.