People of Panyaden

Kru Alan

“No matter how hard I try I cannot control anything but my own behavior.“

“I feel most alive running in the forest downhill, a steep trail and when you’re running and you can’t think of anything else, except where you’re going to put your feet and the trees are like moving past your face quickly.

You can’t control the opinions of others, all I need to worry about is my behavior, my actions and what I do, not what anyone else does.

No matter how hard I try I cannot control anything but my own behavior.”

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By Bill

Kru Jed

“If you don’t enjoy your job, then you are not enjoying your life.”

“My name is Jed, I’m from Scotland and my subject speciality is Economics and Business, although I’ve taught other subjects. I’ve taught some Politics and some Religious Studies in the past.

It’s not my first time in Thailand, it’s my first time in Chiang Mai. I like the atmosphere both in the school and in Chiang Mai. It’s totally different than what I expected. It’s much more relaxed. It’s a very positive spirit.

I love teaching, that’s a large part of my life. I think a job like teaching is more than a job, it’s something you have to want to do. I really want to do it and I enjoy it.

If you’re going to do something for seven, eight, nine hours a day, five days a week, you have to really enjoy it. If you don’t enjoy your job, you don’t enjoy your life. So I like combining enjoying my job and enjoying my life.

I’ve been in extremely poor areas of the UK where students struggle in many ways. You learn different skills, you learn different ways to help students. It was different, it was not so academic, but it was still enjoyable.

A school’s about a community, it’s not just a school where everything’s about learning. It’s a part of your life that can be remembered for the rest of your life.

It’s really important that teachers don’t forget that students are human beings. They have personalities, they have interests, they have hobbies.

I think religion plays an important role in people’s lives. No matter what community you’re teaching in, you learn something. I’m excited about getting to know Buddhism and how it affects real people’s lives.”

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By Crystal

Emma Y7

“My biggest dream is to be able to cook very good sunny side fried eggs.“

“My name is Emma. I’m 11 years old and I’m in year 7B.
I grew up in Thailand and it was very fun.

My happiest moment of my life was when I traveled to different countries. I value happiness so I don’t feel sad. My friends make me happy.

I wish I could tell my mom to cook food that I like, like sushi, then I can eat it and be happy. I am very happy about my life, about my friends because they make me laugh.

My biggest dream is to be able to cook very good sunny side fried eggs.”

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By April

Khun Chon

‘Make today the best’, because today shapes both our future and our past.

“I am the Secondary School Secretary at Panyaden. I have been working in international schools since 2006 and have been part of the Panyaden community since 2019. Every day, I am grateful to support my colleagues and play a small role in creating a kinder, more compassionate world. I truly believe that working in a school means helping to shape the future of our world. I love seeing people grow, including my lovely daughter, and especially enjoy watching them try, make mistakes, and learn from those experiences.

Outside of work, I am a proud mother, a happy wife, and a friend who loves to spread smiles and positive energy. I enjoy the world around me, believe in good destiny, and always try to do my best while reflecting on how I can grow. I love living close to family, surrounded by rice fields, planting, and being close to nature. I am also a devoted cat lover and spend my free time volunteering with the Hand to Paw Foundation in Chiang Mai, helping animals in need.

I enjoy road trips, love the beach, and am always smiling. Every morning, I start my day with the quote “Make today the best”, because today shapes both our future and our past.”

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By Crystal

Khun Jiraporn Tummong

“I don’t really know how to say it, but I really love working here so much.“

“My name is Jiraporn Tummong. I am responsible for preparing snacks for the children and teachers, school events, and preparing food for children with allergies. I have been working at the school for over ten years.

I’m truly happy to be working here because this place feels like a second home to me. I love working here — everyone treats each other like family, without any discrimination. We are all equal.

I don’t really know how to say it, but I really love working here so much.”

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ฉันชื่อกิ๊ฟมี่หน้าที่ทำเบรคให้เด็กๆและคุณครูจัดทำอีเว้นต่างๆจัดเตรียมอาหารเด็กแพ้ดูแลเด็กแพ้อารหารต่างๆฉันทำงานที่โรงเรียนมาสิบกว่าปีแล้วฉันรู้สึกดีใจมากที่ฉันได้เข้ามาทำงานที่นี้เพราะที่นี่เป็นเหมือนอีกหนึ่งชีวิตของฉันฉันรักที่ได้ทำงานที่นี่ทุกคนที่นี่รักกันเหมือนพี่น้องไม่แบ่งแยกสถานะเราเท่าเทียมกันและทุกๆคนมักจะได้เห็นฉันทุกที่ที่มีงานอีเว้นท์งานต่างๆในโรงเรียน

ฉันไม่รู้จะบอกยังไงแต่ฉันรักที่ได้ทำงานที่นี่มาก

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By Crystal

Kru Goong

“I’m someone who values effort over outcome. I believe that trying my best is what truly matters, as every experience offers a chance to learn and grow, regardless of the result.”

“I had a dream since I was young that I wanted to be a teacher. I love teaching.

I started with tutoring. I helped my neighbours with their homework. When I taught them, and when they got it, I was so happy they understood what I taught them. I started with Thai language and math. After that, I think in Year 8, I started to earn money, like 10 baht per hour.

The kids in the neighbourhood had nothing to do in summer, so their parents just left them at my house. I didn’t only do tutoring. We also had crafts, fun stuff, and games.

I couldn’t imagine how I could do another job. Teaching is my dream job. I’m always happy when I’m teaching kids.

I’m lucky that I knew what I wanted to be in the future. Some people don’t know what they want to do. I’m also lucky that my parents supported me in whatever I wanted to learn, whatever I wanted to do.”

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By Crystal

Kru David

“Sometimes it’s difficult for students to express themselves or elaborate in terms of maths. So you need to try to understand the person, not what they say, but what they mean.“

“I’m a friendly person, but also distant. I need to be active to feel well, both mentally and physically. I need to be moving. And that’s why I’ve played sports all my life, I think, because they helped me kind of focus.

When I was young, when I was at school, maths was more like a game. I thought I was kind of playing all the time. And that’s why I liked it. And I did well. I remember for some of my classmates, it was a nightmare. I remember some students even crying. I didn’t know why, because at the time I thought, this is not that difficult, come on. But I was a teenager or even younger, so I didn’t see why that was different. For some students, it was kind of easy, and some would struggle.

I started working for some companies before getting into teaching. When I was at school, I was tutoring younger kids. When I went to university, I was tutoring high school kids, and so on. And then I moved to a different country and I started to work with or teach teenagers, and then I liked it. It was not a classroom; it was outside in the field, and I had a very good experience. I thought, oh, I could be teaching. I could be teaching because it looks natural.

Just by chance, a friend of mine said, ‘Hey, we need a teacher at my school.’ And I said, ‘Okay, but do you think I’ll be okay?’ He said, ‘Yeah, yeah, you’ll be okay. And if you aren’t, in only one day you will be.’ So I said, ‘Okay, I’ll go.’ It was challenging at the beginning, but I liked it, so I kept going.

Sometimes it’s difficult for students to express themselves or elaborate in terms of maths. So you need to try to understand the person, not what they say, but what they mean. You need to read the person. So if I’m asking a question, I’m not expecting an answer, I’m expecting a line of thought. I need to anticipate potential answers because there’s not only one answer. And students express themselves differently.

That’s one of the good things about teaching, trying to understand those brains or those minds, the way they work.”

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By Crystal

Kru Amy

“We can’t go back in time, but it’ll always be in our memory.”

For many people, tattoos aren’t just ink on skin; they are a way to hold on to fond memories. When asked about her tattoos, Kru Amy spoke of a single word inked on the inside of her arm: saudade. This unique Portuguese word has no direct translation in English, but can be understood as a deep sense of longing or nostalgia for the past – whether that may be loved ones or priceless moments.

The idea of saudade mirrors the way Kru Amy speaks about the people she’s met in her life. She describes them with warmth and appreciation, remembering their kindness, lightness, and the way they made her feel seen. It’s evident in the way she speaks that she feels a close connection to her friends and family.

One important piece of advice Kru Amy shared was to “live your life authentically”.

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By Nina

Kru Pom

“To me, success means I can handle the situation correctly. I know when and how to be happy, and I know how to share my happiness with others and help other people succeed.“

“I grew up in Bangkok in my grandmother’s house. In that house, there were so many children, so we had a lot of things to do together. We played together, and we worked together, and I was happy to have many siblings around. I think this is the memory that shapes who I am today – living in that Chinese family household. We worked together, and we played together. That helped me know how to work with other people, how to communicate with other people, because there were so many of us living together, and there were responsibilities. So I’m kind of a responsible person.

Success, to me, is not in terms of money or wealth or fame. To me, success means I can handle the situation correctly. I know when and how to be happy, and I know how to share my happiness with others and help other people succeed. When I think of my children – they’re my children, and I’m their mom – this makes me happy. That I am someone important to them, and they are also important to me. That makes me happy.”

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By Harry

Leo (Y7)

“Something I’ve learned recently about life is that if people hit you, kick you, or say bad words to you – don’t care. Just don’t care. It will go away.”

“I grew up in China, and it was good and fun – not as hot as Thailand.

The happiest moment of my life so far was my 10th birthday. That day, I went to Bangkok and Pattaya.

The people I admire most are my mom and my dad. Why? Because they are my mom and dad.

Something I’ve learned recently about life is that if people hit you, kick you, or say bad words to you – don’t care. Just don’t care. It will go away.”

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By Harry

Kru Aaron

“Physics and Chemistry are like learning another language that we can use for interpreting what’s happening around us.”    

Kru Aaron’s motivation for becoming a science teacher stems from his long-standing fascination with the natural world. He grew up spending a lot of time outdoors, observing insects and being captivated by everything around him. 

He reflects on his experiences, saying, “I had some frustrating experiences in science class when I was growing up. And so I had some different opportunities to be sort of in a teaching role in high school and college. And I always liked being able to help people understand stuff better. So I think it was that combination of being interested in science but also wanting to help people.”

Kru Aaron found that working in a laboratory often felt isolating, as he notes, “If I spend too much time by myself, yeah, it’s like it sucks the energy.” Instead, he finds it much more satisfying to engage with others on a day-to-day basis. 

His particular interest in insects fueled his curiosity about how things function, leading him to believe that “science gives us a different way of understanding the world around us.” He emphasises that we can learn a lot just by making observations and using our logic to understand how things work.

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By Crystal