What might it be like teaching at the Family Learning Center in Chiang Rai, Thailand?  

The class sizes are small compared to most anything else you have known.  The classes are from 3 to 12 students.  Student respect for teachers is high.  You will feel appreciated.  Student interest and creativity have been cultivated, so the children are generally motivated and excited about learning.  They are using "Standards" from the U.S. and have curriculum in place and yet it is an environment that encourages creative teaching.  Sometimes the resources that you would automatically reach for to use in teaching are not at hand, so innovation is required.  However, I've stopped saying, "It is not available in Thailand."  as I have learned to search the markets and find the very thing needed or a substitute that works as well or better.  That has been a learning experience for me when even long time residents thought it could not be found.  The latest was a hinged, metal ring that even the education store worker had thought was unavailable.  She was surprised when we found it in her store.  

A key ingredient at FLC is fun!  Unique field trips, swim party with games and picnic, international day, sports day, "wacky" hair day, are but a few examples of fun activities.  Often the interaction of all ages: elementary, middle school, and high school students touches my heart.  FLC students welcome and include everyone!

The middle school and high school students have opportunity to participate in the school's mission trip each year.  If only you could see the video from the last two years trips, what awesome experiences and witnesses.  The whole school does an "outreach" project to another Thai School each year.  Our students present a Christmas program, play games with the new friends, and give gifts both to the school and to each individual.  It's all about giving to others.

Tuesday mornings begin with chapel lead by a student worship team.  Included in this email is a picture of my students singing a special.  Most of us teachers and school board have given a devotional talk.  Prayer is an essential element with intersession in small groups.  Chapel is a spiritual high point of the week and probably the glue that holds everything together here.

Teachers have the support and cooperation of all of the parents.  You can fellowship with those parents and the other teachers.   I especially value the many Thai friends that I've made.  

Teachers here do not receive a salary or other remuneration.  The culture is different, but gentle and kind.  The Thai language is certainly different and seems difficult to westerners.
The food is varied and can be spicy.  Internet and cell phones are readily available, reliable, and relatively inexpensive.  It is tropical and warm to hot.  I can recommend local cotton clothes as comfortable and inexpensive. Living expenses can be kept to a moderate level.

So I started out willing to sacrifice and ended feeling blessed far beyond any imagined sacrifice.  At first I felt a stranger among the strangest of things and ended feeling comfortably at home in Thailand.  My "service" for the Lord and others has blessed me to overflowing.  

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5

Thanks for reading this.  There are teaching positions still available for the 2010-2011 school year (August 23- the first week of June.)  You really should think and pray about this, don't you agree?