Alumni Spotlight: Hubert Kleinpeter

Dr. Hubert Kleinpeter, holds degrees from Florida State University in Government, the Social Sciences of Public Administration, and Ph.D. in Foundations of Education, Social Sciences, with a Graduate Certificate in Educational Policy. He is a certified TESOL expert with Youths, Adults, and Business. Currently he is a long term assignment as an advisor and a subject content English teacher for a public high school in Shanxi, China.

Interview with Hubert, teacher in China with Teaching Nomad

Why did you decide to teach with Teaching Nomad in China?

Hubert: Trust is paramount when bridging the unknown; and a trustworthy guide is needed. Teaching Nomad is a highly reputable firm that is compensated by the employing school seeking experienced talent; the educator candidate will learn that they can fully trust the firm to be responsible for their well being. They are qualitatively oriented and very professional (having been teachers themselves); they have an emphatic identification with each individual that they place in the field and this continues throughout the contract period. Given their high level of competence and professional demeanor, while carrying out highly detailed activities associated with employment criteria, I highly recommend this firm for educators who are looking for the life altering experience of teaching and learning overseas.

What made this teach abroad experience unique and special?

Hubert: For a teacher trained in Western pedagogy, it was an educational experience as I learned first hand about the practice and observation of the Eastern pedagogic methods. As the visiting teacher from another society, operating in a different educational environment, I gained a comparative perspective that contributed to my own skill base (something that is unobtainable in the teacher’s residence of origins).

How has this experience impacted your future? (Personally, professionally, etc)

Hubert: Teaching in another society allows the visiting teacher to develop their own interpersonal communication skills. Having been a university professor of education with many international students, the experience enhanced my understanding of different ways of learning and hence understanding the science and art of teaching in an ever increasingly small world. This experience will give any teacher an emphatic understanding of different methods and educational philosophies that they will encounter, allowing them a greatly needed, emphatic identification with international students studying within the US educational systems.

What is one piece of advice you would offer to someone considering teaching abroad in China?

Hubert: While teaching abroad, I recommend that the visiting teacher primarily view themselves as a student and come to learn alternate ways of teaching. Education is not only about imparting language skills, but building relationships that make that possible. In a country that is rapidly changing, everyday you can expect a surprise, most of which are good. Be prepared for your job description to be modified (e.g. you may have been recruited as a high school teacher, but you are reassigned as a middle school teacher).

However, your compensation package will not change; though, it may improve. Be patient with a keen eye on tracking the visa process; be prepared to educate yourself and the school as to how it’s processed (i.e. tourist to work, then a resident visa). Additionally, once a teacher returns to the place of origin, they ought to attempt to work into their own training – new methods and a reformulated philosophy that they learned while in practice overseas.