Kate O'Connell

Education Enthusiast, Teacher, Inquirer, PYP Workshop Leader, Yogi, and meditating mother of two, who loves kids, research and innovation

I grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan in a family full of teachers. From an early age, I decided that I would travel any chance I could. When I got to High School, I signed up for Spanish classes with the intent purpose of going on the class trip to Spain. It was on this trip to spain, that I realized that the world is a lot smaller that I had thought. I could see the possibility for me to live abroad. In college, after volunteering in several elementary classrooms, I knew teaching was the career for me. I also continued with my Spanish language study and applied to do a summer semester in Denia, Spain. Shortly, after returning from this wonderful experience, I discovered the possibility of teaching overseas when I happened upon an overseas Career Fair on the Michigan State University campus. Then and there I made my decision to get the teaching experience I needed under my belt, so that I could teach overseas. My first international teaching job was at The International School of Tianjin in China. I absolutely loved it. I loved the school, the people of China, and the language. I studied Mandarin, soaked up local culture, and toured China while becoming a better teacher. While attending graduate school, I met the wife of the principal of IST in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She mentioned that she thought I would be a great addition to their staff and I should contact her husband if I should want a job. I loved my job in China, but was very excited at the possibility of working and living in Africa. After speaking with the Head of School in China, who had also taught there, I thought the opportunity was too good to pass up. I contacted the principal and got the job teaching EC3 (Kindergarten) at the International School of Tanganyika. I thoroughly loved the school and the life in Tanzania and would still be there today, if my mother hadn't gotten sick. I left at the end of my second year to care for my mother and be in the States for my father upon her passing. Fortunately, I was able to secure a job teaching Grade 1 in an affluent suburb of Chicago. I was happily married a year later, and three years later we had our 1st child. We stayed in Chicago for 5 years before leaving to teach at Prem Tinsulonanda International School, in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Currently we are in our 7th year at Prem. My husband teaches both I