Traversing around the globe to over 8 different countries throughout the span of his 23-year teaching career, new English teacher Mr. Sammons has had unique experiences in diverse school environments. Throughout his journey around the globe, he has come into contact with different administrative policies and developed an understanding of the cultures present in each country.
Mr. Sammons has taught around the world; in Ireland, Britain, Singapore, Chile, Columbia, Egypt, Spain, and Mexico. While teaching in these places, he has taught numerous subjects beyond English, including; Theory of Knowledge, Philosophy, and International Baccalaureate (IB) classes.
Mr. Sammons’ choice to teach in so many places stems from his love for being spontaneous and having variety in life. After leaving his home country of Ireland for Britain in 2004, his desire to travel and explore the world further deepened, encouraging him to leave Britain a few years later to embark on another teaching journey in Chile.
The appeal of international teaching goes beyond just the thrill of new experiences; as Mr. Sammons points out, “It’s pretty fun teaching in other school systems because of the pay. Most countries offer you higher pay if you’re a foreigner or teach an English subject. It provides a better quality of life and helps me pay for my travels, and some places cost less than other places to settle down in”. Being able to teach a variety of subjects also allowed him to take his students on culture-related field trips like to the Nile River or pyramids to learn more about the Biblical references and Egyptian culture engraved in them.
During his time in Ireland, he taught marginalized children with a rough upbringing to realize their true potential, by connecting them with more hands-on activities rather than academic coursework. This helped some of them succeed and find greater careers in life, such as a government IT official.
In contrast, during his time in Singapore, he was introduced to a new world of corporal punishment with discipline masters that was prevalent in some schools. When asked about the most unique school system he’s encountered academic-wise, Mr. Sammons surprisingly stated, “Well, the disappointing thing is that all the systems are more or less the same, besides some exceptions like class schedules.”
While currently in San Francisco, he remains open to the possibilities that lie ahead, noting that, “Life is full of twists and turns and opportunities; you never know where it will take you, so embrace it.” However, when asked if he would ever go back to teaching in the same country, he firmly expressed, “My mantra is to never go back because there is too much to look forward to, and it’s never the same when you go back.”
