Do you want to know what a typical day in the life of a Reach To Teach teacher is all about? Learn from our teachers through this series of interviews that offer insight into daily life abroad, adventures in and out of the classroom, their first impressions of their adopted country, and tips for first time ESL teachers.
Interviews With Our Teachers at Reach To Teach
Taiwan Teachers: Interviews with Our Teachers at Reach To Teach
2022 Interview with S. Cisecki: A Teacher’s View: Completing the Visa Application in Taiwan
Learn about the visa application to teach in Taiwan with Stu, a Canadian teacher who arrived in Taiwan in May 2022 after working with RTT since July 2021. In this interview, Stu talks about his experience working with Reach To Teach to complete his paperwork to obtain his work permit and visa in Taiwan. You’ll also learn some great tips for quarantine as well!
[bctt tweet=”Having RTT to help me made the entire process so much easier. They helped break things down into manageable steps and answered all of my questions.” username=”reach_to_teach”]
2022 Interview with Alissa: Coming To Teach in Taiwan During COVID 
Hi Alissa! First off, congratulations and welcome to Taiwan! You’re waited close to a year to get here and have navigated the many different changes that have happened with coming to Taiwan during COVID. Can you believe we started working together in July 2021! How are you feeling about that extra-long wait to get to Taiwan?
[bctt tweet=”Reach To Teach has written extensive guides on how to complete the visa application and how to complete the quarantine information. It truly saved time and energy!” username=”reach_to_teach”]
2021 Interview with John in Quarantine
Learn about life in Taiwan quarantine with John who flew to Taiwan just before the May outbreak in Taipei and New Taipei City. John is currently waiting for schools to reopen so he can begin his teaching career in Taiwan. In the meantime, he has kindly offered to share his thoughts about his arrival in Taiwan, his experience leading up to his departure for Taiwan, and what life in Taiwan quarantine has been like for him.
Interview with Teacher Ben – Teaching in Taiwan in 2021
The process was a lengthy one for sure. I applied to Reach to Teach in October 2020 (I’m writing this in March) with the intention of coming to Taiwan in December. Obviously that didn’t happen. The process for me began with getting my fingerprints done which proved difficult because the Sheriff’s department in my county didn’t have appointments for weeks because of reduced hours of operation due to COVID.
[bctt tweet=”My advice for incoming to teachers to Taiwan is to be diligent and thorough. Make sure you understand the process and follow the instructions exactly. Otherwise just be patient, you’ll get there.” username=”reach_to_teach”]
2020 Interview with Coach Toni – Life in Taiwan is Great
In today’s interview, we’re introducing you to Teacher Antonia, known fondly to the RTT team as Coach Toni. Before we jump into our interview, we’d like to thank our teachers once again for being so patient and understanding during this most difficult of years.
It takes a lot of patience, planning, and going with the flow to move abroad during a pandemic year. It takes a special sort of person to persist and move forward with these types of plans, especially when the whole world is experiencing such trying times. We’re proud of our teachers and we’ve loved meeting them this year. (And yes, we met Toni last month and she’s officially part of the family now!)
2020 Interview with Teacher JP
We’re back with another amazing story about Reach To Teach teachers that have taken the plunge to teach in Taiwan during COVID19! It’s no small thing to move abroad during a pandemic, especially when you’re coming from a country that is a known hot zone. The sheer amount of paperwork and preparation you need to do in advance can be overwhelming, but we like to tell our teachers, ‘If you’re persistent, Reach To Teach will get you through it!”
2020 Interview with Teacher Jamie
Meet Jamie, an American teacher who has a few days left in quarantine in Taiwan before she starts her new job as a grade 2 teacher at one of Reach To Teach’s Taipei public schools! Jamie outlines some of the hardest aspects of getting her paperwork done at US TECO offices during the COVID19 pandemic.
Bottom line: Be persistent!
2020 Interview with Teacher Sydney
Sydney arrived in Taiwan in January before the pandemic hit, and she addresses what life has been like living in Taiwan during a very uncertain time in history. Suffice to say, we think she’s a champ and she’s definitely making the most of her time here. Sydney is still here in Taiwan in 2022 and she’s still teaching at the same school Reach To Teach placed her at.
Interview with Alexander Lewandowski
Alexander is an American teacher hailing from Illinois. He moved to Taipei in February 2015 and he lives in Banciao, New Taipei.
Alex describes himself as an easy going person who enjoys music, being outside, exploring new places and learning about different cultures.
[bctt tweet=”Teaching in Taiwan has been a fantastic experience so far. I find myself having as much fun as my students.” username=”reach_to_teach”]
2015 Interview with Amy Harper
Amy left her life behind in the UK to pursue a teaching position in South Korea. Not satisfied with just one location in Asia, she set her goals to 
make the move to teaching in Taiwan where she currently teaches young learners in Taoyuan.
Although she isn’t a huge fan of Taiwanese food it doesn’t stop her from trying all the weird and wonderful things on offer here.
[bctt tweet=”After living in South Korea, Taiwan is very relaxed and friendly. It’s exactly what I wanted. “]
Interview with Andie Ayala
Andie is a 24-year-old American teacher who arrived in Taiwan in February 2014. She has always dreamed of traveling, but she didn’t know
how she could make that happen without breaking her wallet. She lives in Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Andie has recently signed on for her second year in Taiwan.
[bctt tweet=”Am I ready to be viewed as a foreigner everywhere I go? Am I ready to try different ways of thinking? “]
2014 Interview with Andrew Gordon
We’d like to introduce you to Andrew Gordon, a Reach To Teach teacher who has been teaching at a Taipei public school since late 2012.
Andrew shows a lot of support to our new teachers at all of our events.
[bctt tweet=”Get in touch with Reach to Teach. They can answer your questions or connect you with other teachers.”]
Interview with Brett Cleveland
Brett Cleveland has just hit his half way mark in Taipei, Taiwan and it sounds like he is having a blast.
[bctt tweet=”I won’t sugarcoat this and say every day is awesome. It’s like any job. You’ll have good days and difficult days. “]
Interview with Brooke O’Brien
Hailing from the Midwest, Brooke O’Brien decided to make the leap across the proverbial pond to begin her teaching adventures in Taipei in July 2012. Brooke taught young learners in Northern Taiwan before heading home to get her teaching certification.
[bctt tweet=”It’s been very gratifying to see the progress in my students’ English abilities.” username=”reach_to_teach”]
Interview with Dan and Casey
Meet Dan and Casey, two high school sweethearts who got hitched and decided on a blissful married life of travel and teaching. These two little lovebirds hail from North Carolina and really have the travel bug! Read on to hear how much they love teaching and how they live up every weekend exploring the island and its surroundings.
[bctt tweet=”Before deciding to teach English, it’s extremely important to know what you want out of it. What are your goals? “]
2014 Interview with Eliza Pennell
Eliza Pennell arrived in Taiwan in the summer of 2014. She is a young and fun teacher who finished college in the States and decided to begin her teaching adventure in Taipei, Taiwan. It’s 2022 and Eliza is still here!
[bctt tweet=”I love the other foreign teachers I work with, I love my students, I love that I have this amazing job.”]
Interview with Eric Adams
Eric is a recent college graduate from Maryland who has been teaching in Taiwan for the last year.
These last few months in Taipei has been his first living abroad experience.
Eric has recently joined the Reach To Teach team as our new Social Events Coordinator for Taiwan.
[bctt tweet=”Eric in Taiwan: My school is great and the schedule is ideal.”]
2014 Interview with Hayden Jared
Hayden Jared hails from Idaho, USA, and he arrived in Taipei in the summer of 2014. He is a certified teacher in Idaho, and he has recently completed his Masters in Education. After all that hard work, Hayden was ready to live it up a little in Taipei. He is currently teaching young learners at one of our most popular schools in Taipei. It’s 2022 and Hayden is still here!
[bctt tweet=”The more that I commit myself to loving my students and teaching with passion, the faster my students learn.”]
Interview with Heather Richards
Heather Richards, also known in the travel blogosphere as the Traveling Vanilla Bean, has been teaching at a local buxiban in Taipei City. Heather moved to Prague to teach English in August 2013.
[bctt tweet=”Really think about what you want from the year before choosing what city to live in. “]
Interview with Jimmy Hunt
Meet Jimmy Hunt, an Australian teacher who has been teaching at a Reach To Teach school in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Jimmy is a young and 
adventurous guy with a real thirst to see the world. Jimmy says that there is very little English spoken in Hsinchu, but other than that it’s reasonably similar to Australia or America – it’s safe (actually much safer), modern (with some ancient buildings and traditions thrown in), and there’s great food. I was in Cambodia for a month beforehand and that was a big change, but it didn’t take me long to get settled.
[bctt tweet=”Reach To Teach were really helpful and told me everything I needed to know before arriving.”]
Interview with Katy Lucid
From the big city of New York to the big city of Taipei, Katy made the move to Taipei following a year abroad in China. She has been teaching English in Taipei for over a year, and in that time she has managed to see and do a lot of things all over Taiwan.
[bctt tweet=”For traveling around Taiwan, the high speed rail is great for getting to different cities around the island.”]
Interview with Kelly Chapeskie
Want to know about living, teaching and eating in Taiwan from someone who is currently doing just that? I thought you might. Here’s an interview with world traveler Kelly Chapeskie from Ontario, Canada. She moved to Taiwan through Reach To Teach in late 2013, and is currently living the dream in Kaohsiung.
[bctt tweet=”I didn’t expect it, but one year turned out to be very insufficient!”]
Interview with Mary Ochiltree
“Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.” (Seneca) – This is one of my favorite quotes, because for me, it is true. In college I studied and lived abroad in Ireland for four months, and the experience changed my life.
[bctt tweet=”The opportunity to teach in Taiwan allows me to use my education while exploring another country.”]
Interview with Max Pizzini
American ESL teacher Max Pizzini arrived on the beautiful island of Formosa in June 2012. He taught elementary aged students at a popular buxiban
in Taoyuan in Northern Taiwan. He started his second year in Taiwan teaching English at a private school in Taipei. It’s 2022 and Max is still here!
[bctt tweet=”The best part is a combination of the people and the lifestyle. Most people I encounter are incredibly generous. “]
Interview with Michelle Brent
My name is Michelle and I’m originally from Buffalo, New York. I came to Taiwan because I wanted the opportunity to grow as an individual while doing something that I love.
[bctt tweet=”Once I met my students and taught my very first class; nothing could compare to that feeling. I love teaching in Taiwan. “]
Interview with Rob and Victoria
Rob and Victoria are an American couple teaching in Taipei. Read on to discover their hints and tips on the best places to go to in Taipei, best blogs to visit, and things to do as well as their views on teaching in Taipei.
[bctt tweet=”After looking at some pictures, and learning that I could surf, jump into a hot spring, AND study Tai Chi Chuan, I took no further convincing.” username=”reach_to_teach”]
Interview with Sara Keyes
Sara is an American teacher in Taipei, Taiwan. She’s a an adventurous person with good humor a winning personality, something she has 
brought with her and shared with many in Taiwan.
Sara has recently returned home and she will be missed by all of us here at Reach To Teach.
[bctt tweet=”It has been different from teaching back home, but I’ve really had the chance to learn about myself.”]
Interview with Sarah Vied
Meet Sarah Vied, a Reach To Teach teacher that has been teaching in Taipei since summer 2013. Sarah is a proud southerner from the USA. She is originally from a small town called Princeton in western Kentucky. This is Sarah’s second year teaching and living abroad, but this is the first time she has been to Taiwan. She teaches at a private school in Taipei.
[bctt tweet=”I enjoy getting to act like a big kid every day, and we laugh and play a lot—kids are so hilarious! “]
Interview with Sam Simile
Today we are joined by Samantha Simile, a Reach To Teach teacher from Pennsylvania who has been wowing her students in Xi’an, China and Tucheng, Taiwan with her circus skills. Samantha is accomplished at stilt-walking, fire-breathing, and she’s incredibly bendy (As you’ll see from her photos!). Samantha is teaching young learners in Taiwan in Tucheng, New Taipei City.
[bctt tweet=”I love all of my students and have formed very close bonds with them. I just go in and have a blast. “]
2011 Interview with Zach and Shay
Zach and Shay are high school sweethearts who made the move to Taiwan from Chicago. They also run a popular blog that provides tips and advice on paying down student loans while teaching abroad. Read on to hear about their unique and interesting insights into Taiwanese culture and their observations on life in Taiwan. Zach and Shay are still in Taiwan, and they have no plans on leaving any time soon. They both highly recommend teaching English in Taiwan. It’s 2022 and Zach and Shay is still here!
[bctt tweet=”The culture of Taiwan is the biggest draw for us and it is what has kept us here for years. “]
China Teachers: Interviews with Our Teachers at Reach To Teach
Interview with Haley Williams 
Haley is currently teaching young children in Shanghai, China with her boyfriend. She made the incredible leap from the vast expanses of Alaska to the big city life of Shanghai.
Haley recommends packing a little extra patience to make the journey to Shanghai, especially if you don’t speak Chinese. It’s a different culture with a different style of living, and it takes some getting used to.
[bctt tweet=”No matter what, always remember that you are a guest in a foreign country, so be respectful.”]
Interview with Kirsty Grace
This week we bring you a teacher from Scotland who decided to make the leap from working with children in London to teaching in Doha,
Qatar. After a year in Qatar, she decided to teach in Shanghai for a year. She loves the hustle and bustle of this beautiful and vibrant city in China.
[bctt tweet=”If you have any questions during the application process, Reach to Teach is really helpful.”]
Interview with Madison MacNichol
Madison is teaching in Tianjin and having the experience of a lifetime. She is from the beautiful state of Idaho. Madison is new to the ESL teaching profession. She received her TESOL certification in Cambodia before moving to Tianjin to teach young learners.
[bctt tweet=”I work at a language school during the evening and weekend with days off during the week. “]
Interview with Sara Nighbor
Meet Sara Nighbor, a fun and enthusiastic teacher hailing from Wisconsin and teaching in the beautiful location of Kunming, China. She made the move from law to teaching. Sara says that the people of Kuming were extremely kind to her. They loved asking questions about what it was like to live in America.
[bctt tweet=”The cost of everything in Kunming is super low; I spend about $1 on my dinner every night.”]
Interview with Shanick Augustin
Shanick made the move from teaching in the USA to teaching English to children in Shanghai. She has nothing but great things to say about her year in China. If you’re thinking of teaching abroad, Shanick has these words of advice for you:
[bctt tweet=”Put all of your fears aside! The transition is much easier than you think.”]
Interview with Stefanus Hanekom
This week we interviewed Stefanus Hanekom, a South African teacher who took the plunge and made his first steps into a teaching career by moving all the way to Dongguan, China to teach young learners. Stefanus says it’s the first job he has had where he enjoyed coming in to work. It feels so good to be making a different in the children’s lives.
[bctt tweet=”The teaching part is amazing. I love the children and the team that I work with is great. “]
Georgia Teachers: Interviews with Our Teachers at Reach To Teach
Please visit our Teach English in Georgia page for our interviews with teachers that are living and teaching in the Republic of Georgia. Our Teach in Georgia program has been closed since 2012 due to cutbacks with the Georgian Ministry of Education, but our teacher interviews still offer valuable insight into what life is like in the Republic of Georgia.
Interview with Britney Pace
[bctt tweet=”The best advice I can give if you want to teach in Georgia is to go with an open mind. “]
Interview with Isaac Gregson
[bctt tweet=”Village life is simple but blessed. The people’s hospitality is beyond describable. “]
Interview with Liane Nichols
[bctt tweet=”Most places in Georgia have yet to be tainted with increased tourism or tourist traps. “]
Singapore Teachers: Interviews with Our Teachers at Reach To Teach
Interview with Sara Moulten
Sara taught at one of our schools in Singapore and she had a great time. “Transitioning from the island life of New Jersey to the island life of Singapore has had its differences, she tells all here.”
[bctt tweet=”My favorite thing about teaching in Singapore is how multicultural the students are. “]
South Korea Teachers: Interviews with Our Teachers at Reach To Teach
Interview with Teacher Taylor
Is it possible to teach in South Korea right now during COVID-19?
Yes, it is! Reach To Teach has been running a special series of interviews with Reach To Teach teachers who arrived in Asia in January and February, just as the pandemic hit. We’d like you to know what their experiences have been like.
To learn more about teaching in Daejeon, South Korea During COVID-19, check out Teacher Taylors’s interview.
[bctt tweet=”What advice can you give to new teachers interested in teaching in South Korea? “Be flexible and open minded. With everything happening around the world, it’s imperative that you roll with the punches.” ” username=”reach_to_teach”]
Interview with Alana Bertozzi
Alana Bertozzi has been teaching in Gumi, South Korea for the past two and a half years through the EPIK program.
An avid traveler, Alana has enjoyed adventures all over Asia; she is an avid traveler with a passion for being on the road.
[bctt tweet=”Come to Korea with an open mind. In Korea, everything is subject to change, especially at work.”]
Interview with Caroline Hosey
There isn’t much that ESL teacher Caroline Hosey hasn’t done in the past three years that she has lived in Seoul, South Korea.
Caroline is a regular volunteer at local orphanages, she’s fearless when it comes to food, and she rarely turns down an opportunity to learn more about her adoptive land. She plans on moving to Taiwan to teach English in the near future.
[bctt tweet=”Teaching is the most intensive and eye opening way to experience Korean culture. “]
Interview with Chris Richards
American ESL teacher Chris Richards arrived in Asia in February 2012. He began his teaching career in South Korea with EPIK before moving on to teach high school students at DalSeo Technical High School in Daegu, South Korea. Just recently Chris began teaching at a local university in South Korea. He is also a valued member of our Reach To Teach South Korea team.
[bctt tweet=”Korea is a last-minute culture. It’s not uncommon to spend time on lessons, only to walk in and find out your class is cancelled. “]
Interview with Chris Schannauer
Chris is currently teaching young leaners in South Korea. He made the move from Pennsylvania to Korea and although he hasn’t been there for long, his experiences have shown him a lot.
[bctt tweet=”DO YOUR RESEARCH! There is a lot of preparation that must be done before coming to Korea.”]
Interview with Daniel St. Clair
We are joined this month by Daniel St. Clair who made the move all the way from the United States to Korea to teach with the EPIK program. Although Daniel is new to South Korea, this is not his first teaching experience through Reach To Teach. He also taught English at one of our schools in Taipei. Today, Daniel shares some of his adventures teaching abroad in South Korea.
[bctt tweet=”Teaching at a public school in South Korea is a strange beast. 40-minute lessons fly by.”]
2015 Interview with Geoffrey DeSena 
Geoffrey was born and raised in northern Colorado. He is a first year teacher in Seoul and he teaches with one of our private schools in South Korea.
Geoffrey joined the Reach To Teach travel blogging team in August 2015.
[bctt tweet=”With the first month of classes complete, I have gained an unbelievable amount of confidence.” username=”reach_to_teach”]
Interview with Jared Berg
Teacher Jared is currently teaching in South Korea. He made the move from Miami to Korea and although he hasn’t been there for long, his experiences have shown him a lot. Continue reading to find out what Jared thinks of his life in Asia, what he does for fun, and how he enjoys teaching English to young learners in the land of kimchi.
[bctt tweet=”Expect the unexpected! I’m sorry if that’s somewhat vague advice, but it may be the best I’ve received. ” username=”reach_to_teach”]
Interview with Megan Tighe
Megan Tighe is an American teacher who has been through the EPIK program.
She was kind enough to answer them for us sharing her views on her experience.
[bctt tweet=”Be patient. The process is tedious, especially if you plan to apply for a public school position. ” username=”reach_to_teach”]
Interview with Moses Allen
Introducing Moses Allen, an extremely active individual who is currently teaching in Korea. Moses is an avid hiker and he really enjoys writing about the outdoor recreational activities that he is involved in.
[bctt tweet=”Korean students are respectful because education is highly valued in Korean society.”]
Interview with Sarah Steinmetz
Sarah is a New Hampshire girl teaching English in South Korea. Here she tells us all about her time spent in South Korea so far.
[bctt tweet=”The education system in Korea is quite different from the system in the US.” username=”reach_to_teach”]
Interview with Tiffany Molyneux
Interview with Meet Tiffany, who flew to South Korea all the way from Florida, USA to teach through the EPIK program in South Korea. Formerly a kindergarten teacher in the States, Tiffany offers lots of tips and advice about teaching in South Korea.
[bctt tweet=”I would advise anyone interested in teaching in South Korea to go for it!” username=”reach_to_teach”]
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