TravelBud is fortunate enough to work with the best in the business when it comes to TESOL training and Job Placement for Teaching English in Thailand. We thought it would only be fair for applicants to meet the Teach Thailand team so that they can gain a bit of insight into lives of the people who will be taking care of them in Thailand
Here are our partners, who are based in the lovely beach town Hua Hin. This is where the Tesol training takes place before teachers are placed at schools around Thailand.
Michael Volpe – President and Managing Director
Michael has an extensive educational background in international business and political science, along with nearly 10 years of teaching experience at university level in Thailand and the United States. He is a Fulbbright-Hays scholar and doctoral candidate in International Public Policy at George Mason University, and a research consultant at the King Prajadhipok’s Institute, a Thai government research institute in Bangkok. He has conducted extensive research and published in the areas of civic engagement and education, social movements, and international development.
Paang Panintorn Prakij – Marketing Director and General Manager
Paang has more than 10 years of industry experience in marketing and more than four years international recruiting experience in the international development and oil and gas sectors both in the United States and Thailand. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree of Advertising from Thammast University and her Master in Organizational Management from Trinity University in Washington, D.C. Paang’s qualifications, extensive experience and her familiarity with Southeast Asia make her a top class leader in both client relations and marketing.
Jaco Kleinloog – Manager of the Education
Jaco has lived in Thailand for more than 3 years, and is a certified TESOL trainer with several years experience teaching TESOL. He is the lead trainer and is also responsible for coordinating the monthly non-profit English camp that takes place in Hua Hin. Jaco has a bachelor’s degree in neuro-linguistic programming and has spent nearly a decade as a yacht captain. His years of experience instructing TESOL, captaining yachts, and his approachable personality come together to form a well rounded, professional instructor and leader of the education department.
Sandra Ugalde Sandra was a Fellow with the Institute of Learning, and has a Masters Degree in Special Educational Needs. She brings with her over 17 years of education and training experience. She was the Director of Teaching and Learning with Westminster Adult Education Service, is also an experienced associate inspector for the UK’s Adult Learning Inspectorate, and has extensive experience training teachers and school staff, and arranging CPD, in-class observations, designing new courses and curriculum development. Sandra’s experience spans across kindergarten, compulsive education and adult education.
Tyler Haines – Marketing Coordinator
Prior to working in Hua Hin, Tyler studied a TESOL before teaching successfully for several months in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. He is currently studying the Thai language and is passionate about both the Thai culture and giving back to communities in Thailand. He is an avid photographer, videographer, writer and artist. His creative ability makes him a great asset to the marketing team.
Danny Small – Logistics Manager
Danny holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the State University of New York at Stonybrook and TESOL certification. Danny has held a vast array of jobs including working in the US Embassy in Moscow, as well as working in the marketing department at Island/Def Jam records. Danny manages all logistics for the TESOL courses and is also a teacher for EasyEnglish.
Elda Sirikanda Kriangpichitchai – Placement and Customer Service
Elda obtained her Master’s Degree in Marketing from Thammasat University. She has 15 years experience working in the construction and retail business. During her studies she was a training officer at Nestle Thailand and after she completed her Master’s degree she became a Sales Executive of Lafarge Siam Roofing. Her extensive experience in marketing and the service industry makes her a perfect fit in our customer services department.
Austin Bentz – TESOL Instructor
Austin has experience teaching TESOL both on line and in class, as well as developing TESOL curriculum. He also possesses classroom teaching experience in Thailand as a public school teacher. Mr. Bentz holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of California Santa Barbara. His experience in the teaching field as well as his bright personality make him a valuable instructor.
Benz is a graduate of Chiang Mai University, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in English. Her English language abilities allowed her to pursue an international career in which she worked for several international organizations as a coordinator between foreign and local clients. This extensive experience in the world of international business relations gained her the skills and ability to interact across languages and cultures, making her a valuable asset in our teaching placement department. She is also an avid animal lover and regularly contributes her skills to our animal rescue program, rescue paws.
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