Comments on: Finding Something 'Different'

By: Dennis Harter

Dennis Harter — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 04:32:29 +0000

It’s going to be great!

By: Paul White

Paul White — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 06:11:48 +0000

Congratulations Jeff – you are joining a great team at ISB; just don’t let Stephen Lehmann give you a hard time
I am sure you will enjoy living in Thailand; I have really enjoyed the last four years here and there is real camaraderie at the schools in Bangkok.
I will miss linking up with Stephen at ISB and John Tranter at Bangkok Patana, but like you, I had to take that next step and Shanghai or Hong Kong was a difficult decision.
As you know there are many schools in Bangkok, I am sure your wife will find something; you could try the International Schools Association of Thailand ISAT

By: Sheila Sarsfield

Sheila Sarsfield — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 22:38:06 +0000

Well, I have to say that after reading your blog, I was kind of blown away. I love your idea of âGoogle Time.â I am currently a Junior in college. I have always wanted to become a teacher and my biggest fear is failing. I have always been afraid that with teaching and doing other activities, I woundnât have enough time to develop new ideas and strategies. I donât want to be one of those older teachers that hasnât changed their lesson plans in 20 years. My major is Business Teachers Education and I know that with technology constantly changing, I will need more time to research new ideas and methods.

As a future educator, it is inspiring to see others constantly changing and coming up with new ideas to improve education. Thanks you again for the blog. I look forward to reading more!
-Sheila

By: Dave Sherman

Dave Sherman — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 02:51:34 +0000

Jeff,
As much as I love my job, I envy you in the sense that you are experiencing parts of the world that I would love to visit. Congratulations, and I hope the new job is great for you. If you are looking for an elementary school in the states to hook up with, let me know!
Dave

By: Amanda

Amanda — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 09:20:32 +0000

Thanks so much for this post. It really had an impact on me in thinking about changes that I want to make. I think you are going to have a marvellous year! Kia Kaha (Stay Strong)
Amanda

By: Danielle Kiefner

Danielle Kiefner — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:52:29 +0000

I love your idea of Google Time! I am a college student, and it is very important for me to find a career which will challenge me and allow me to grow as a professional. When I think about becoming a teacher, I become excited by all of the possibilities that exist to change studentsâ ways of thinking, learn new teaching strategies, and take advantage of technology to enhance studentsâ educational experiences. However, with only 24 hours in a day, I worry about how much time I will have to research and improve upon my teaching once I get home. It is refreshing to see that teachers are actively pursuing growth opportunities and changes in the system, and it is wonderful that you have found a place to go and live the career you are seeking.
Danielle

By: Cathy Nelson

Cathy Nelson — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:50:05 +0000

Thanks for sharing…my family is living apart by 170 miles this year as I searched for something “different” too. So far, so good, so i feel the decision I made is blessed. My husband and son #2 will stay in the other location until he graduates not this June, but next June. Then we will resume a more traditional living situation–TOGETHER. When people ask, i say it was not a decision we made lightly.

By: Jason Welker

Jason Welker — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 02:41:38 +0000

Jeff,

Just read your “stick” post about your new job. Congrats, man.. you’re right about the “network”. When I arrived at ZIS for my interview the first person who wanted to talk to me was their tech coordinator. I ended up spending an hour with him on a laptop talking about blogs and wikis… He knew all about my blog and wiki, and is more excited than the principal to have me coming there.

Also, in the econ teacher network, the other Econ teacher at ZIS was a reader of my blog, so that helped too! It’s amazing! I think ZIS is for Europe what ISB is for Asia, smartboards in every classroom, Lenovo Thinkpads in every students’ hands… and an administration that has committed to tech.

You’ll love Bangkok. I would have stayed much longer, if our school had paid well or if I could have worked at ISB! Liz and I have already decided that ISB is one of about three or four schools in Asia we’d like to come back and teach at, the others: ISKL, SASingapore, and ASIJ… other than those four, we’re done with Asia.

Hey maybe we’ll cross paths again through the “network” in the future.

I think that you and Denia, me and Liz need to do dinner downtown soon. We need to catch up before we all take off on our new paths!

Way to go man, you’ll love working with Dennis and the other pros at ISB!

Jason

By: Kim Cofino

Kim Cofino — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:38:06 +0000

Welcome to the team Jeff!

I can’t wait to see what amazing things happen at ISB with you and Chad here next year! If only Justin could be here with us too…

By: Doug johnson

Doug johnson — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:29:38 +0000

Congrats, Jeff!

I have great admiration for you and Kim Corfino – what a team!

I’ve been happy with the “Google Time” in my contract for the past 7 years or so – having a year-round job of 200 days rather than the standard 260 days – about a 3/4ths position. If the admin is OK with you taking days off during the year (and you have good support at home and the day job), this is a fantastic situation. I can’t imagine being a road warrior like some full-time consultants/speakers, but I get itchy if I don’t get on a plane a couple times a month. You’ll love it!

All the best with your transition! Looking forward to hearing about all your new adventures.

Doug