Meet Ms. Diane Coon Secondary Dean of Students
Ms. Diane Coon joined Concordian in 2020 as a member of the Secondary Physical Education Department. Most of our students and parents may also know Ms. Diane as the Personal Project Coordinator, supporting our Grade 10 students with their endeavors over several years.
In early 2024, Ms. Diane took on a new challenge as the Secondary Dean of Students. Let’s find out more about Ms. Diane and this exciting new role.
Impact: Please tell us about yourself.
Ms. Diane: I am originally from a coastal town in Massachusetts and I have always been a sports lover - I was enrolled in my first basketball league at 6 years old. Throughout high school and into university, I continued this passion in my studies and free time as I focused primarily on volleyball. After experiencing the joy and challenges of a service trip to Uganda sponsored by my university, I fell in love with something new - international education. After completing my Bachelor’s in Sport Communication, I was accepted to the United States Peace Corps. I served as a TEFL volunteer in the Peace Corps for the full two year program in Eastern Europe and continued my journey abroad from there. I then pursued a Master’s degree in Secondary Education and sought work in an IB World School where I became the Athletic Director and taught Physical and Health Education.
Impact: Why did you choose Thailand for your international career and what are some aspects that you enjoy most about living here?
Ms. Diane: Have you ever looked at how wide the map really is? Do you ever think about how many places and people are out there? This is a question that often darts across our dinner table, as both my husband and I are interested in new cultures, ideas, people, and experiences. We were ready for new opportunities and a completely new culture, so we did what we always do - imagine big! We took the world map and metaphorically threw darts, discussing all different cultures and experiences that we had not yet had. We eventually settled on South East Asia, as we had only each been once. From there, Thailand felt like it was calling to us as there are IB schools here, nature, tourism, and so many other beautiful places to see. Personally, I wanted warm weather and to take a break from winters - which has been very nice. It helps that Bangkok is a hub for international experiences and interconnectedness.
Impact: How has being at Concordian made you a better person and a better teacher?
Ms. Diane: At Concordian, I have had many opportunities to grow. In PHE, I have had the chance to refine my teaching with an incredibly supportive team who foster my wild ideas and help our team make them a reality. I genuinely feel grateful everyday that I work with the PHE team. When I was selected as Personal Project Coordinator, this was another opportunity for me to grow as a teacher. Something I think students do not realize is that many of my Personal Project students have inspired and impacted me more than I could have ever imagined. The passion, the drive, the kindness - there are many elements of that process that I learned from the students.
Impact: Please share more about your role as Dean of Students.
Ms. Diane: As the Secondary Dean of Students, my primary role is an advocate for students and student life. Yes, I do oversee and monitor disciplinary actions and the application of the Code of Conduct, but that is not the primary objective in my day to day. I want to support students in advocating for their own experience. It is my goal to help students see that when they have a problem, there are pathways to try to find compromise or solve their problem in the long term.
While it is not always possible to get the ideal solution, in working collaboratively with students, I aim to teach them these valuable skills that they can continue using in their lifelong learning journey. Something simple like when to apologize, how to compromise, how to approach challenges, or even when a disagreement ends with no result or change - these are all real world issues that they will face on their own throughout University and their job field. I view my office as a complete open-door policy and I encourage all students to use it. Whether it is just to check in or there is an obstacle in their way, I want to help students have the best experience they can while at school.
I heard once from a mentor that teachers always want to be the teacher they needed when they were in school, and I hope that for my role as Dean.
Thank you very much for taking the time to interview me. I look forward to an exciting and rewarding year ahead working with all the Dragons. My door is always open!