News: Search Associates Helps International Educator for a Second Time  - Jun 11, 2015
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Thursday, June 11, 2015Candidate Stories

Search Associates Helps International Educator for a Second Time

For over 25 years, Search Associates has provided expert advice and support, to both candidates and recruiters alike. However, no one understands the process better than a current candidate.

Meet Andres Lopez, an international educator who accepted a recent overseas job as a Professional Development Coordinator for a school in China. Andres spoke about his choice:

"It was a tough decision, because I had three offers at the same time. It took a lot of meditation to come to the right decision. The reason why I chose it is that from this position, I could serve the community better. I could inspire teachers, and through them, the whole school."

His passion for exploration began at the age of two, when he began traveling with his parents. Andres's desire to teach overseas seems ingrained. To him, teaching is "not only a job," but his life's mission. He explains,

"If you help children to be the best person that they can be, you are making a difference in the planet. The rest will follow."

Andres speaks six languages and has taught in schools overseas for fifteen years. His career has allowed him to reside in Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia, and he has traveled the world to over forty countries.

For Andres, registering with Search Associates was more than worth it. Andres accepted two international jobs out of the three Search Associates job fairs he has attended- the Cambridge Fair in 2013, and both the London Fair and the Bangkok Fair in 2015. He explained how the Search Associates website was very useful for quick research on prospective international schools. He described,

"For me it has worked really well. Once [you] go through it, recruiters know who you are, and that ends up saving time when the moment of offering a job comes."

This passionate and adventurous educator had a few words of wisdom to give, quoting Gandhi and adding his own advice:

"Be a happy, respectful, fun, loving, hard-working teacher. Your students will copy your behavior."

Search Associates will continue to connect outstanding educators, such as Andres Lopez, to top international schools around the world. Here, they can fulfill their dreams and lead successful careers.


Did You Know…?

Senior Associate Gary MacPhie is based in Toronto, Canada where he started his teaching career, and then spent 26 years overseas as a teacher, principal and recruiter in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.