Grads and Candidates Share Tips

In spite of a tough job market, GSE grads and alums are making their way in the world, and living their passion for teaching at home and abroad. Here are some of their stories and tips for your inspiration and encouragement.  

Leila (Clark) Staffler

How about working on a tropical island?  Leila teaches and serves as vice principal of curriculum and instruction at Kagman High School on the island of Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. There are current openings for math and English content teachers for 20011-12.  Application and job requirements are on the districts website cnmipss.org. Also on the island of Saipan, teaching at the Montessori School is Lindsay Davis, MAT 2003. 

  Dominique Lomax, MAT 2011: 

I am currently on the verge of getting a job teaching AP calculus in China. I interviewed with the company at the Portland Job fair, then got a second phone interview that went well. They are checking my references now. I have been to China twice and have a minor in Chinese studies. This job will be a wonderful combination of my love of math and Chinese culture. If they do offer me the position I plan on taking the position. While I have been waiting to hear back from China I have been checking EdZapp regularly and applying to jobs through there. The EdZapp information session at the Portland job fair was very helpful for this. 

 Jessica Johnson, MAT 2011

I just accepted a position to teach in China at Shenzhen American International School (SAIS) just north of Hong Kong. I'll either be teaching math or ESL. I'm really excited about this position because my major in college was international studies. I've always wanted to live abroad and experience what it's like to live in another culture. I've been working as an instructional assistant in public schools in the Salem area for a decade now, mostly in schools with large immigrant populations. I love it, but I'm ready to teach in a foreign country!

I discovered SAIS at the Washington Educator Fair in Tacoma. They called me for an interview, and we set it up for the Oregon Educator Fair in Portland. I interviewed, and the following weekend they called and offered me the job! It's a great position with good pay and benefits, and two flights home a year. There are multiple theme parks nearby and I can even take a bus to hiking trails. I'll be sharing an apartment with another American teacher. I'm excited to get to know the other staff and the students. This will be an adventure! 

Douglas and Lisamarie Hanson (MAT 2003)

We are assistant professors at a private college in NW Seoul, and love living and working (and travelling) overseas.  I (Lisamarie) am in the IT Department teaching Business Writing, Public Speaking, and Computer English. Many of my students go on to international internships or employment.  Douglas teaches both IT and Accounting classes (he recently earned an additional B.S. in Accounting from Linfield College). He is currently a CPA candidate and is now studying to take the exams.

We make use of our four months annual vacation time to travel and experience Korea and the rest of the world.  Living and teaching in Seoul is amazing; it's not for the faint of heart or inflexible (he-he!)  If anyone has questions about teaching here, we're happy to help—just email us. Best wishes to our cohorts from 2003 and all teacher candidates from the GSE.