Korat educator bares key to success

By Hedda Tan

What takes a teacher, an expat at that, to be a success in Thailand?

For Monalisa, founder of the 22-year-old Liza’s School of Languages in Nakhon Ratchasima, in the northeast of Thailand – it is not that plain and simple. She points to a serendipitous mix of reasons behind “success.”

For one, being married to a Thai is a definite advantage. “My husband (whom she met in the Philippines when they studied at the same university) helps me with the intricacies of Thai culture,” she said. “I learned a lot from him and this makes me suitably equipped to better understand and socially approach my students and their parents.” When asked how many students have enrolled in her school over the years, she said, “Probably by the thousands.”

Mona was also fortunate to experience extensive training from a well-known Catholic school in Korat (former name of Nakhon Ratchasima), where she first worked for 13 years.  Coming from quite a different set of culture in Dumalag, Capiz in the Philippines, she was introduced to a new environment when she first set foot in Korat. “It was there that I gained exposure and understanding of the local culture and blossomed with inspiration,” she said. “It was there that I realized teaching was not simply the imparting of knowledge to students; it is an art – delicate and complex at the same time.  Adjustments have to be made to best suit the student’s needs.”

As a school proprietor, Monalisa also believes that the predominantly Filipino teachers at her school, are part of her success. Why? “They (the Filipinos) have the potential to be outstanding in their respective fields once they have gone through the rigors of teacher training,” she explained. “Give them a chance and they blossom. I can rest easy and know that they are responsible and well grounded in their outlook in life. They know from whence they came from. I have a very high regard for them.” Monaliza used to employ teachers from Britain, Germany and America. Now she has 6 teachers and all are from the Philippines.

When asked what her major challenge was when she started her school, Monaliza points to that of keeping students who enroll. She says the key is simple – “you have to make sure that the quality of teaching is high. Students will stay as long as they are learning.”

Monalisa herself, who is now 60, is a formidable force in maintaining the high respect enjoyed by Filipinos in Korat. Purposeful in her demeanor, Monaliza epitomizes professionalism to the highest degree.  She believes those who remember their humble beginnings in life, prosper, and her life is a testament to it.

When she first came to start a home and a family with her husband in Korat, there were very few Filipinos to socialize with. Monalisa took it upon herself to befriend every Filipino who came after here, even going to lengths of visiting them at places outside Korat. Her efforts paid off because when she started an informal group of Filipinos in Korat, she got all the support of the then growing Filipino community there. That loose and informal group she initiated years back became the founding community now known as the Association of Filipinos – Isan Chapter.

Monalisa, who is instrumental in the establishment of a successful school in Korat, as well as in the organization of the Association of Filipinos there, is a voice of wisdom for other expats who also wish to have a taste of success in this part of the world.

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Tags: Educator, Filipino Teachers Korat, Korat Educator, School Owner Korat, Teaching in Thailand

Category: In Focus