Teacher Orientation

Orientation for all CMIS teachers was held on August 9th-11th. One thing I really like about teaching at a Christian school is that we can make our faith a part of everything we do at school. It was amazing to be able to start the new year with a worship service, complete with singing and prayer. There were several department meetings and a PD on Love and Logic, something new to many teachers here. The best part of the orientation was that all new staff members were treated to a one hour Thai massage. I believe my body was bent in ways it has never been bent before! Our three day orientation ended with a BBQ for all staff and their families. I'm excited to be teaching at CMIS this year!

New Kid on the Block

Being a new teacher in a foreign country is a totally different experience. The new teacher orientation I participated in included three days of intensive Thai culture and language introduction. We started the first day with a tour of the campus which took quite some time. The CMIS campus is housed in several buildings with connecting outdoor hallways (pictures to come). When you walk out of my classroom door, you are outside. Because it rains a lot here, every building is connected with some type of awning so you can maneuver the campus without getting rained on.

In Thailand, it is a law that anyone who is teaching here has to take 20 hours of study learning about Thai culture and language. During this time we covered nine different modules including such topics as: Thai government, modernization of Thailand, games and sports, customs and etiquette, music and art, and religious beliefs. Upon completion of this course, I will then have a Thai teaching license.


At the end of the second day or orientation, new teachers and their families were treated to an evening meal at the Principal's home. (This is the same as a superintendent in the states. The people in charge of the elementary and secondary schools are called vice principals.) Our Principal's wife prepared an enormous Mexican feast. It was great to have something besides McDonald's or Thai food. All of us shared many stories and laughed together like we had known each other for years. I have met some very interesting people who have done some amazing things in their lives.

The last day of our orientation we visited an elephant camp and completed the day with a khantoke dinner at the Old Chiangmai Cultural Center. A khantoke is a pedestal tray used as a dining table by the Thai people. It can be made from either teak wood of bamboo strips. There was also a show which included Northern Thai and Hilltribe folk dances.

We completed the 20 hour course a few weeks ago learning about Thai religious beliefs. This included a trip to a Thai temple and a visit with a Buddhist monk.


Since the beginning of school, I have also taken Thai language classes each week. Three other new teachers and myself meet with our instructor for 2 hours each week. We are learning conversational Thai. I do well with numbers but have trouble remembering everything else. It doesn't help that the other teachers in my class are all young enough to be my children. The "old lady" slows them all down a bit. These classes will continue for 15 weeks. Hopefully by the end I'll at least be able to order food at a restaurant and ask where the bathroom is located.

This is our group at the khantoke dinner. Our group included people from four different countries: U.S., Thailand, Canada, and Germany.

My first time to actually touch an elephant's trunk, and I don't think I ever need to do it again. : )

Yes, the elephants can even paint!

And So It Begins....Again

Below was my first post on my new blog. Problem is that I started that blog back in August and have not added a post since then. If you know me at all, you know that "Procrastination" is my first name. I'm "turning over a new leaf" and going to find a way to make this work. I've just found an amazing website where I can install blog templates for FREE! Thank you LeeLou Blogs for all the great choices. You'll notice I've picked a fall template with pumpkins, something I really miss from the states. I know it has nothing to do with being a teacher in Thailand, but I like it!  I've also moved to Blogger which seems to be easier for me to work with.

Our fall break (ONE WHOLE WEEK) started today so I hope to add several posts in the next week. Keep coming back, please.

First Post:

I never thought I would be blogging, but I am about to begin 3 different blogs. This one I will use for all my “teacher” friends back home who want to know what it’s like teaching in a foreign country. I’ve accepted a position as the Elementary Tech teacher at Chiang Mai International School in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I will try to update this blog on a weekly basis. The first few weeks of school I will try to blog more often. Right now I need to go to bed because my school year begins tomorrow. I will have 3 days of New Teacher Orientation (Thursday, Friday, and Monday). Then next week there will be 3 days of Teacher Inservice (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) for all faculty members. Next Friday, August 12th, is a holiday. It is the Queen’s birthday and when they celebrate Mother’s Day (2 times in one year, this should be great!). I will start with students on the following Monday, August 15th. I’m a little nervous about all of this, but also excited at the same time. This is a new challenge for me, and with God’s help, I’m ready for it! Time for bed.