Teachers Needed in Surat Thani, Thailand

Surat Thani International School (STIS – www.suratthaniinternationalschool.com) is Surat Thani’s first international school! It is owned and run by the same management team as Super English Language School (www.superenglishsurat.com). As always, we strive to be the very best school for teachers and students.
We are looking for enthusiastic individuals to teach an American-based curriculum to the fun-loving children of Surat Thani. Teachers typically spend a large portion of each school day with one small class of young learners. The students are well behaved, intelligent, and eager to learn.

At STIS, we are a group of passionate people building a new model of learning together. We work hard because we love to teach and believe in what we are doing. Our teachers are given freedom and individual responsibility in how they want to structure class time and develop curriculum. The working environment is friendly, supportive, and relaxed. We give our teachers the time and space they need to develop at their own pace while offering support any time they want or need it. There is at least one Thai teaching assistant in every class.

These positions are tailored for those who enjoy being creative while teaching, are comfortable in a professional organization, like to laugh and have fun in the classroom, are adaptable, and are ready to work hard to make sure the students experience an enjoyable and productive time while learning. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for teaching young children and are not afraid to put in extra time if that is what is needed for their students.

The starting date for these positions is January 5th, 2017.

Learn more about our school at www.suratthaniinternationalschool.com
We offer:
- 30,000 baht per month flat salary during probation
- 35,000 baht per month for the remainder of the first semester
- 40,000 baht per month for the second semester

Total salary for a full contract year: 365,000+ baht
- 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. workday M-F
- minimum amount of paperwork
- six month or one year contract
- all national holidays paid
- 3 week paid Christmas break
- all one year visas provided by the school
- 2 months free accommodation in a shared, semi-furnished house
- full training
- full support throughout entire contract
- free Thai language lessons
- monthly school sponsored fun event, such as dinners, parties, a Thai dancing lesson, Thai boxing lesson, Thai cooking lesson, etc.
- comprehensive orientation

A successful applicant will have the following qualities:
- hard-working
- professional
- flexible
- fun and out-going
- patient
- interested in learning
- open-minded
- young at heart
- enthusiastic

Most importantly, a successful applicant will have a genuine desire to teach the children of Surat Thani and be ready to work hard.

We can only accept applications from American English speakers who have a university degree.

To apply for this position, please send an email with your attached RESUME, CURRENT PHOTO, UNIVERSITY DIPLOMA SCAN, as well as RESPONSES to the questions below to teach@superenglishsurat.com

What experience have you had in teaching?

What is your approach to teaching?

What experience have you had living and working in another country?

Where are you from in the United States?

How do you respond to changes in the workplace, such as new educational programs being introduced and teaching new students?

Have you traveled in Thailand before?

Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?

When can you begin working with Surat Thani International School?

JOIN US AT STIS TO BE A GREAT TEACHER, WORK WITH FUN-LOVING KIDS, AND ENJOY THAILAND!

Comments from our current teachers:

“I have worked at STIS for a year now and still I find working here far more rewarding than I could have ever anticipated. I owe my development as a teacher to STIS. As a twenty-two year old my experience in teaching was not vast but the whole team here has been so supportive and they have created a unique teaching environment which I have relished and learned so much from. Previous to becoming a teacher at STIS I worked at a Thai government school in Surat Thani. My teaching role in the government school and here are incomparable. The English levels at STIS are incredible. No other school I know of in Surat comes close. As well the empowering Ethos that STIS promotes, the freedom, the flexibility, the friendly and supportive environment make it a very rare and remarkable school to work at.” – Marcus Wykes, Grade 2 and 3 teacher

"Working at STIS is unparalleled to employment at any other school at in Thailand. At any other institution, one feels as though they are pushing the never ending boulder up the hill. The students do not care, there is no effort to be spoken of, and it makes one feel helpless. That all changes upon entering STIS. The school atmosphere and enthusiasm are absolutely intoxicating. The student body here wants to learn and what is taught will stick with them forever. A teacher can truly make a difference in the lives of the students here. It is a great place to teach others but also to learn about oneself." – Steph O’Bryan, Grade 2 teacher

“STIS provides a great balance of direction and freedom for teachers in regards to the curriculum teachers must get through. Each teacher is given a set of books that he/she must work through with their students which provides a good amount of structure and direction in the planning process; however, how each teacher gets through that material and what they use to supplement it is entirely up to the teacher. This is great for me and the other teachers at STIS because it allows me to be flexible in my lessons and teaching strategies. As I get to know my students more and more and see how they learn best, I am able to incorporate activities and lessons plans that will be most effective for my class. Aside from a great set of textbooks, STIS provides a plethora of incredible resources for all grade levels. I am certainly never at a loss for ideas when beginning to teach a new topic. There are several book, worksheet, flashcard, and digital resource centers that teachers can choose from. The other STIS teachers are an incredible resource as well. There is a great team of teachers who are always willing to share materials and ideas. I truly am thankful for the awesome team I work with! Peter, the school’s director, is also always available to help and provide direction or ideas when you need it. If I have any questions about the textbooks or other resources at the school, he is always quick to do his best to find an answer. With the solid direction provided through the textbooks and the vast amount of resources available to teachers, STIS creates the perfect environment for its teachers to be successful and truly enjoy the work they do. If you’re considering moving to Thailand to teach, whether it’s your first time teaching abroad or your twentieth, I would most definitely recommend Surat Thani International School.” – Megan Farmer, Kindergarten teacher

“After meeting my class for the first time it became apparent that they were an energetic group of kids. I knew that classroom management was going to play a crucial role in teaching them effectively. Luckily, at STIS I was provided the freedom and flexibility to discover a system that work for my class. STIS is equipped with many resources within the classroom as well as play areas throughout the school. I have found that it is very effective to give them a play break to keep them on task during class time or even use this as an incentive. I was provided with flashcards, puzzles, games, books, and much more. I often use these resources to break the students into small groups so I can work with them individually. In addition, the students and Thai staff at STIS speak English very well. Being able to communicate with them openly definitely helps me manage our day to day activities. I love working with my kids and the classroom we have created!” – Taylor Sruba, Kindergarten teacher

“There are many reasons that I really enjoy working at STIS but the one I will write about is the freedom we have to take control of our class and our daily lessons. While our Director and Head Teacher are always available for any questions, resources or issues we are really given our space to maximize our own creativity. We keep a short daily log so we can monitor our progress and if there is any questions we can go back to look at what we have covered. Every classroom has at least one Thai teacher to help with class activities, bathroom breaks, and any problems that may arise. I encourage any teacher that is looking for a truly challenging and rewarding classroom experience to strongly consider Surat Thani International School.” – Terrance Masso, Nursery Teacher

“Family has always been important to me. Deciding to come to Thailand was a hard decision knowing how far I would be from my family. STIS has become my family. There is never a day where I feel like I have to hide emotions or issues because these people are my coworkers. Everyone is always willing to lend a hand. Over the past two years, my STIS family has been instrumental in my amazing experiences in Thailand! Our school is like nothing you’ve ever seen. Our building down by the lake is known to everyone throughout the Khun Tale area and we are easily recognized when we go out for lunch or runs for coffee. With a small office we quickly become each other’s support. Everything from questions about lessons to greatly needed coffee runs, we can always count on each other.” – Lauren Rosborough, Grade 1 teacher

“We’re lucky at STIS to have a great Thai staff who are an unbelievable help in the classroom every single day! They assist us in so many ways from help with lessons and classroom management, to taking care of the children’s physical needs so we can focus on teaching, as the English teacher leads the class the majority of the day. They are a huge support, without which we could not provide the safe and nurturing environment we are known for. They are also very welcoming to us ‘farang’ (foreign) teachers! They are always willing to talk about Thai culture, invite us to go on trips or to hang out, and answer any questions we have about holidays and customs. They are also very curious about where we come from, and eager to pick up English vocabulary and phrases! I’ve gotten to know my Thai teachers pretty well since we spend so much time together wrangling our army of three and four-year-olds, and I can honestly say I could not do my job without them!” – Cati Vanden Breul, Kindergarten Teacher

Comments from our former teachers:

“Living and teaching in Thailand has changed my life. I've learned so much about myself as a teacher and a person. I was originally supposed to be here for 8 months and its now been just over 2 and a half years. I never thought I would fall in love with this country when I first accepted the job offer, but I haven't wanted to leave since I arrived. Thailand itself is a beautiful country and full of adventure and new experiences. The food is amazing and the people are caring and kindhearted. STIS has played a big role in my experience. The school is very comfortable and my students and coworkers feel like part of my family. Everyone here is friendly and willing to help out in any situation. I have also been able to grow so much as a teacher here in Thailand. At STIS we have a supportive management team and creative teachers that are always willing to share ideas and help each person succeed in the classroom. I love having so much flexibility within the classroom. Thanks for everything STIS!!” – Candace Lee

“I have been living in Suratthani, Thailand, for just over 2 years now. I can honestly say it's been one of the greatest times of my life. Because of the excellent professionalism of STIS, I never worry about paperwork being mishandled, something not being ready when it's supposed to be, or issues with communication. Removing that stressful concern from my mind has made my time in Thailand all the more enjoyable. I genuinely enjoy my work and my coworkers. It feels very much like a family. I work with the K2 level at STIS and they are absolutely wonderful. The smaller class sizes of STIS really offer a more personalized style of learning, ensuring each child gets the absolute most out of their education. We genuinely care for our kids at STIS and aim to give them the best learning experience possible. I have thoroughly enjoyed the time I have spent here! The community of Thais and expats alike are a wonderful people. Everyone I have encountered has been super helpful with anything I have needed. This aside, the food is incredible, the culture is intriguing, and the location of Suratthani itself is ideal for popping over to some beautiful beaches and islands. There is a ton to see and do around Thailand, but if you're looking for more, it's also not too difficult to bounce to some other countries and enjoy some other cultures. I've dreamed about traveling across the world since I was a child, and I'm perfectly glad I chose Thailand as my first destination." – Christel Chappell

"Getting the chance to work at Surat Thani International School (STIS), which was recently opened by Super English, has been a great opportunity for me. In addition to working with a great crew of people, I've been able to see the school grow and develop from conception to reality. The students are amazing as well. Being able to see their progress and develop relationships with them has been the highlight of my time with the school. Super English and STIS are quality organizations and I couldn't imagine my time in Thailand without their help and support." – Sean Donovan

“Teaching at STIS is a rewarding and challenging experience. The K1 students are some of the most energetic children at the school and always keep me on my toes. They are excited to participate in every activity from finding shapes to playing hopscotch and every day their English improves. It's a joy to watch them grow. The city of Surat Thani is surrounded by a lot of natural beauty that's easy to access. The night boats to the islands sail daily from Bandon pier in town and mini buses go to Khao Sok national park and Phuket several times a day. It's a great location to explore southern Thailand from. Along with a great school and great location we also have a fantastic Thai staff. They have helped me in the classroom and outside. My Thai teachers always make sure I know about the Thai holidays and include me in the celebrations. They really make me feel like part of the community.” – Aleya Staggs

“I'm so glad to have found and been welcomed into the family of educators here at STIS! Every teacher here is clearly devoted to the work of serving our community with professionalism, enthusiasm, skill, heart, passion, and unique talent. I am the newest member of the faculty here and the amount of support and encouragement I've received (both at work and outside school walls) has been absolutely wonderful. STIS teachers come to the table with their very own collections of experience, ideas, ideals, philosophies, and expertise. We take advantage of that fact by having consistent check ins and exchanges about student progress, classroom and school wide happenings. What is most impressive to me is that regardless of our varied ways to approach teaching, everyone here is unquestionably committed to giving our kids the best, everyday, and to having a good time while doing it!!” – Danielle Craig

“I was initially with a different agency when I came to Thailand. There was no communication or leadership within that company. I was very distraught, especially being in a foreign country. Now at STIS, I am much happier in Thailand and love my job. The kids are great, my colleagues are awesome and the whole staff is so supportive. I'm so happy I found STIS!” – April Parks

“I knew before graduating university I wanted to come back to Thailand to teach English. I found Super English by chance and would never want to work anywhere else. Super English is a communicative and reliable agency with the sincere purpose to contribute to students’ educational foundation, while still providing teachers with unbelievable experiences. Being placed at Surat Thani International School has given me the opportunity to teach the perfect age group in small sized classes, making it possible to work with your students in a one-to-one setting. Though I have just started working at STIS, the school atmosphere has made me feel at home instantly by being supportive and welcoming. STIS also assists with visa runs, making the process to get your paperwork simple and trouble-free. The salary allows you to live well within your means, still giving you the capability to travel around the Thailand and neighboring countries. Surat Thani is a perfect location in Thailand, close to many of the islands and only a short hour and a half plane ride to Bangkok. There is also a community of teachers within Surat Thani, giving new-comers a network of foreigners from all parts of the world, while still allowing you to be immersed in Thai culture. Thailand, a country dubbed land of smiles, will put one on your face daily.” – Caitlin Matson

Read more about Surat Thani and teaching at our other website: www.superenglishsurat.com

JOIN US AT STIS TO BE A GREAT TEACHER, WORK WITH FUN-LOVING KIDS, AND ENJOY THAILAND!