International Teacher Podcast is hosted by Greg Lemoine and Matthew Judd. New Episodes are published bi-weekly on Saturdays. Listen to first-hand experiences from across the globe about international schools, certified educators, teaching overseas, and living in other countries as American expatriates. We interview educators all over the world and discuss travel, teaching in their schools, overseas educator job fairs, taking your expat family internationally, expat schools, and much more. After our first year, we are celebrating listeners in almost 90 different countries and counting!
ITP - 77 Kim traveled 36 Countries in 365 Days
You will definitely have the travel bug after listening to this! Don't miss this exciting World Travel episode!
Kim is an international teacher that has taught in the North Western USA, Vietnam, Guatemala, and now in Thailand. Kim and her wife, Robin, took a year off to travel to 36 countries in 365 days. Kim joins us from Chang Mai, Thailand to share their amazing trip.
Hear about lots of food, proboscis monkeys, and KEENs. Kim and Robin have proven you only need to carry what is necessary - like handy wipes, just two t-shirts, and a trusty pair of keens. From the words of the famous Anthony Bourdain: "Be a traveler, not a tourist."
See an ITP map of their entire trip.
1/20/2024 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 53 seconds
ITP- 76 International Principal in Colombia
Welcome to Season 4 of the ITP. Join us for this entertaining interview with Chris Lang. His rollercoaster story starts with teaching English in Japan and threads through Oman, California, and Colombia (as well as a few other places). His candor is refreshing and informative. You will certainly laugh during this episode!
You can reach out to Chris in Bucaramanga, Colombia via LinkedIn @ linkedin.com/in/chris-lang-460347b6
Isn't that a fun word to say? Bucaramanga, Bucaramanga!
Here are two cohost profiles too:
Gregory Lemoine
JPMint Consulting
1/14/2024 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 3 seconds
ITP - 75 It's January! ...Are there any international teaching jobs left?
Don't miss this episode. All four of us are in on this one to talk about the recruiting season. It's January and the international teacher recruiting season is in full swing. It's not over.
The second half of this New Years show is a roundtable (except Matt, who doesn't like New Years) of stories from around the world. Kent drinks Jack Daniels with older Grecians in Greece. Greg skips up to Canada. JP dons her mint colored Kimono and parades through the streets of Tokyo.
Visit Amazon and add Greg's second book to your arsenal of research before you interview. International Teacher: The Best-kept Secret in Education (In the Appendices, you will find a comprehensive list of great books and useful websites for your research)
Also mentioned in this episode, the UNI Overseas Teacher Fair 2024 is being held in Iowa from Feb 3-4.
The 2024 signature ISS Global Recruitment Fair is being held in New York this year! Feb 8-11. Sign up!
1/7/2024 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 2 seconds
ITP - 74 Sharon the Guide Hog
In this Episode of the ITP, Sharon Dent, our guest with a rich background as an "army brat," shares her journey from being a journalist in Kansas to becoming an international teacher. Her global teaching career, influenced by a lifelong exposure to travel, includes stints in Turkey, China, Laos, India, Chile, and Thailand. Sharon discusses balancing her professional life with personal pursuits, such as a year-long break working with horses and her husband's interest in lutherie. She also talks about creating "The Guide Hog," a blog that reflects her passion for immersive cultural experiences and learning from local guides during her travels.
12/30/2023 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 13 seconds
ITP - 73 Matt "the Family Guy" is Back!
Happy Holidays. Merry Christmas (if you celebrate it) and welcome to our ITP Host Only special episode. In this episode you will hear us share about no less than a dozen different countries while we have a discussion about spending the holidays overseas. Sometimes we work. Many times we travel.
Halfway through the episode, Matt the Family Guy (who jointly founded and created this podcast in March 2021) joins us after a year and a half hiatus. What has he been doing? Has he just been in the basement hiding? Listen and find out.
Join the entire crew and laugh, laugh, laugh. Matt the Family Guy, JPMint, Kent - aka Santa Clause in some Middle Eastern countries, and Greg the Single Guy.
Season's Greetings from the International Teacher Podcast!
12/23/2023 • 57 minutes, 26 seconds
ITP - 72 Ricardo Reports in from Kuwait
Ricardo, a distinguished educator, originally from Panama, earned his National Board Certification while teaching in a public high school in North Carolina. Ricardo brings a wealth of international teaching experience to the "International Teacher Podcast." Ricardo not only holds a Master of Education in Spanish but has also expanded his teaching horizon across various other countries. His journey continued to Oman, back to the USA at the United Nations International School in New York, then distance and F2F teaching during the Covid era in China.
Currently Ricardo is not on the beaches of Kuwait. Those are still blocked off from Covid days. His expertise extends to being an International Baccalaureate (IB) Teacher and Examiner. On the podcast, Ricardo delves into his diverse experiences in teacher recruitment, global travels, language learning, and the unique challenges of teaching abroad, offering invaluable insights for educators worldwide.
12/16/2023 • 58 minutes, 16 seconds
ITP - 71 Dutch Diaries - Annette Joins us from UNIS in Vietnam
In this captivating episode of the podcast, (Greg the Single Guy has internet problems) host Jacqueline Mallais engages in a lively discussion with Annette Gubbles, an experienced international educator currently based in the vibrant city of Hanoi, Vietnam. Annette's journey in international teaching is as inspiring as it is diverse, having navigated the challenges of online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic to now leading high school mathematics at the United Nations International School. She delves into her life's journey, revealing how her family, including her husband and children, have adapted to various international settings, with personal anecdotes that are both enlightening and heartwarming. Particularly striking is the story of her son, who, having grown up in a constantly shifting international environment, pursued medicine in Amsterdam, requiring additional studies to meet the Netherlands' entry requirements.
Annette's rich experiences provide invaluable insights for educators from her native Netherlands and beyond, shedding light on the complexities, challenges, and immense rewards of an international teaching career. This episode is not just an interview; it's a treasure trove of wisdom and inspiration for teachers globally, whether they're already teaching overseas or contemplating the leap into international education. Annette's story is a testament to the transformative power of teaching across borders, making this episode a must-listen for educators seeking to broaden their horizons and impact in the global educational landscape.
12/9/2023 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 6 seconds
70 - Life is Stranger than Fiction (Don't miss this!)
4 Countries, 3 Coup D'états, a Pandemic in a Pear Tree"
In this podcast episode, we delve into the extraordinary global journey of Debbie, an international educator with a rich multicultural background. Born in Peru to a Japanese-Peruvian father and a Japanese-Brazilian mother, Debbie's life journey is a remarkable tale of cultural fusion and adaptation. Her early years were spent in Brazil, where she was raised and educated.
Debbie's career in education began in North Carolina, USA, as part of the Visiting International Faculty (VIF) program, which brought educators from around the world to American schools. Her next career move took her to Turkey, where she taught Spanish at Koc International School and Uskudar American Academy. However, the political instability due to a coup d'état prompted her to leave Turkey after an eight-year tenure.
Her career path then led her to Myanmar, another destination she had not previously considered. Debbie's five-year tenure in Myanmar was marked by profound experiences, including living through the COVID-19 pandemic and another coup d'état. She speaks candidly about these challenges and the resilience and unity displayed by her students, who came from diverse backgrounds, including some from military families.
Debbie's journey then took a turn back to Brazil, where she transitioned to remote teaching. Currently, she is based in Abuja, Nigeria, but maintains a strong connection to Myanmar, frequently traveling back, especially in times of unrest, such as during incidents involving Boko Haram.
This episode offers a glimpse into Debbie's inspiring journey as an international teacher, highlighting her adaptability, resilience, and the unique experiences that come with teaching in diverse cultural and political landscapes. Her story is a testament to the power of education in uniting people from different backgrounds and the hope it brings for the future.
12/2/2023 • 1 hour, 31 minutes, 24 seconds
ITP - 69 John's Wild Ride: From Local Teacher to Globetrotting Educator
John's story resonates with the current trends in global education, where international teaching positions are in high demand. The conversation underscores the need for educators to adapt to diverse cultural and educational environments. It also highlights the value of continuous professional development and networking within the international education community.
Ultimately, the interview serves as a compelling narrative of the transformative potential of international teaching and the diverse paths that educators can pursue. John's journey offers valuable insights and practical advice for aspiring international educators, making it a worthwhile listen for anyone considering a career in global education.
11/18/2023 • 1 hour, 38 seconds
ITP - 68 Psychological Support for Global Educators: Unveiling Anna's Guidance for International Teachers
This interview was recorded originally on May 5, 2023. Since then, Anna and her husband have moved and settled into UNIS in Hanoi. Her website has been published at https://www.enhancedwellbeing.org/teachers Click on the link and browse her site while you listen to this fantastic episode. You can thank us later for introducing her to the world of International Education! Really! This is one to share out!
Anna, a certified psychologist hailing from Ireland, is currently making a significant impact in the realm of international teaching while residing in Sri Lanka. Drawing from her own life as the wife of an international teacher, Anna intimately understands the challenges faced by educators in this unique lifestyle. As an experienced psychologist, she seamlessly blends her corporate world expertise with her passion for supporting international teachers, creating a safe and empathetic space for clients to discuss and navigate the diverse issues they encounter. Anna's commitment to providing a purposeful and goal-oriented approach reflects her firsthand knowledge of the intricacies of the profession, making her an invaluable resource for those seeking guidance in the dynamic world of international education. Having experienced her own crisis during her time teaching overseas without a mentor, Anna is uniquely positioned to fill the void she once faced, offering much-needed advice and support to others in similar situations.
You will want to stick around until later in the show when she shares the ultimate, scary police story!
11/11/2023 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 14 seconds
ITP 67 - Leading an International School on the Island of Curaçao
James Joubert is the Head of School at the Curaçao American Preparatory School on the beautiful Caribbean island of Curaçao. He is originally from South Africa, so Greg asks him to verify the rumor of why elephants are on the Amarula Bottle - elephants get drunk off the ripe amarula fruit. (Don't believe it? Watch this! We googled it right after recording this episode. Funny, but actually just an entertaining myth.)
All this talk about alcohol required us to list this as *explicit content. Ahem. We are all educators so we have don't need the kiddos listening to the fact that teachers and administrators are actually "human" and "partake" once in a while.
James is an inspirational educational leader that has been overseas for over two decades and has the stories to prove it. This is a candid discussion full of laughter and joy. Join us an listen to James explain why international educators should always wear pajamas to bed and what it's like to meet incoming expatriate teachers at the airport arrivals.
This is an episode you will want to share with teachers in your life.
11/4/2023 • 1 hour, 13 minutes, 17 seconds
ITP - 66 There are Dinosaurs in the Library!
If you love children's picture books, you need to listen to this episode! International educator, A.G. Allen, joins us from Mallorca, Spain to laugh and tell the story behind her best selling children's book. Every teacher needs a copy of her book and every parent should read this to their children.
Enjoy a copy of her book.
There Are Dinosaurs in the Library!
by Ag Allen (Author), Octavio Cordova (Illustrator)
Other links mentioned in this episode:
A.G.'s website: AGAllen.me
Find an illustrator like Octavio Cordova on UpWork.com .
Reach out to A.G. Allen via email: [email protected]
10/28/2023 • 51 minutes, 25 seconds
ITP - 65 Experiences of an African American Woman Teacher Overseas
Amaris left the USA in 2010 as a single woman for her first year of teaching, on a whim. Korea, North Carolina, married with Kids in Egypt. Listen as we dig deep into her experiences as an American Woman of Color teaching overseas. This is an excellent episode to listen to!
Amaris Miller is currently an ESOL consultant.
Follow on her social media:
TikTok: themerge_consulting
Instagram: themerge_consulting
The Merge Consulting Website
A quote from her website: "The Merge Consulting, LLC is a Black owned, woman owned consulting firm which was birthed out of the merge of foundational literacy and ESOL best practices."
TikTok: themerge_consulting
Instagram: themerge_consulting
10/21/2023 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 13 seconds
ITP - 63 What Makes an Excellent Candidate for International?
We have discussed this before, but now we have added a bright new cohost. Jacqueline of JPMint joins our team with many years of overseas experiences, not only with a woman's perspective, but as a Canadian, a veteran international teacher, an administrator, a recruitment coach, and a consultant for international teachers.
JP starts off by quizzing the boys on what makes a great candidate but doesn't hesitate to join in with Kent making fun of Greg.
JP has pushed us into the old world of FaceBook with our new group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/itpexpat and Kent promises to join his cat on an ITP TikTok.
Enjoy the show.
9/30/2023 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 14 seconds
ITP - Camila -A Brazilian Teaching Overseas in the USA
Welcome to an episode unlike our others. Greg interviews Camila Duarte about her experiences as an International Teacher from Brazil, teaching at a charter school in Brazil. This was recorded in May 2023 as she was wrapping up her five year stint as a visual arts teacher (under a J1 Visa). This was lunch break for her at a charter school in Fayetteville, NC. Now, as this airs, she is teaching somewhere in the Middle East. Yes, we will do a follow up show with her about her third cultural teaching experience, which she landed through a Search Associates Job Fair. Enjoy and learn.
Camila is the creator of the website The Multicultural Education Project https://www.themulticulturaledproject.com/
Camila's Instagram Handle is @mscamilavasconcelos
9/16/2023 • 38 minutes, 41 seconds
ITP 61 - Burn Bright, Not Out! with author Sybil Hall
Sybil Hall has is a mother, wife, International Teacher, financial freedom advocate, consultant, and brand new author. Visit her website at www.sybilhall.com while you listen to this episode. Teachers, both overseas and in the USA will learn so much from her! Burn Bright, Not Out is a brilliant new book from Sybil Hall. We talk about the book to light your candles!
9/9/2023 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 8 seconds
ITP - 60 Kent and Greg Beginning of a School Year
We have started off the new school year with a new casual chat episode. We set aside the video chat, headphones, and desktop mics to use our lapel mics and comfy chairs in a fireside chat format.
In this episode, Kent digs deeper into the "10 Reasons NOT to be an International Teacher" from Greg's book, Finding the Right Fit.
https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Right-FIt-Professional-International/dp/1667828835
8/20/2023 • 1 hour, 19 seconds
ITP - 59 Georgia and Christine Join us from Boston
Reaching out from Boston and Las Vegas, Georgia and Christine have a discussion with Greg about life balance. [Their] Making the Grade podcast is for current and former teachers to share notes, define success & assess their own happiness in the classroom and beyond.
Join us as we play "this or that", a game that all teachers can relate to and navigate to the Making the Grade podcast or website to keep up with two former elementary teachers that have moved on to new, successful chapters in their careers.
This episode was originally recorded in May of 2023.
7/23/2023 • 45 minutes, 34 seconds
ITP - 58 David in Singapore
Listen to this joyful episode as Kent (the cat guy) and Greg (the single guy) interview David about Singapore, speaking Japanese, and a few exciting police stories.
7/7/2023 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 30 seconds
ITP - 52 Valerie & Dillan (Part1 Prior to Overseas)
This is the first episode of a series focusing on Dillan and Valerie, a teaching couple new to international. They began their journey back in 2022 when they began their research and signed a contract. Once they arrive in their new country and have taught a bit through the 2023-24 school year, they will record another episode with us and check in about their experiences. We hope you enjoy hearing about the beginning of their journey.
5/11/2023 • 49 minutes, 39 seconds
ITP 47 - Jeff Torchon - First Year International Teacher in Japan
Join us as Kent and Greg interview Jeff Torchon about his experience living and working in Japan at the American School in Japan. What’s it like moving your family of four to Japan? Will Jeff have a police story?
Links from this episode:
The American School in Japan
Conjunto Philadelphia - Home
3/11/2023 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 37 seconds
ITP-28 International Border Crossings
Matt and Greg discuss traveling through customs and the art of pre-planning a trip. What happened at the DeGaul Airport? And Greg's long story about border crossings on his trip around the North Eastern countries of South America (Venezuela to Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana and Suriname).
5/23/2022 • 45 minutes, 35 seconds
ITP-04 Motivations: why would you want to teach overseas?
What are some of the motivations to teach overseas? Matt shares stories of meeting and playing baseball with MLB players in Venezuela. Greg shares his Sri Lankan Christmas story. Maids, nannies, money, travel, and more.