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Ms rachel
Ms RACHEL SMITH Interview by David Bang Photos by Ai Tulayathun
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Another new teacher we have this year is Ms. Rachel Smith, filling in as ICS’ new Physics teacher.
Originally from California, Ms. Rachel has been looking forward to coming to Thailand for the first time. She explains, “I felt like that’s where God was leading me to come. I actually thought I would end up in Taiwan, but I ended up here. Over the last 5 years, I felt that Thailand was where I wanted to go. I wanted to teach overseas since I was like 10, but then it didn’t really work out until this year. I accepted the job before COVID, so it was a big leap of faith to continue coming. But I like it here.”
WHAT CAUSED YOU TO DECIDE TO BECOME A TEACHER? I guess I became a teacher because I think it’s cool to see when kids are able to understand a concept. Science because there’s application of math. I started teaching math and changed to science. I wanted to teach physics because it gives math a reason.
After revealing that she used to be a math teacher, Ms. Rachel continues, “I like the order of [math], and that there are rules you can follow. I don’t like English, so I didn’t go there. Then, I started liking physics more because there are applications of all the maths. I think what’s cool
is that there’s so much we don’t understand. And it’s cool to investigate and learn more things that you previously didn’t know. There are lots of discoveries you can still make in physics.”
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE FROM BEFORE AND NOW? The biggest difference is the students. And the administration is very good too. They’re very supportive, like the rest of the community.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO MOTIVATE STUDENTS TO STUDY? Making the subject relevant. Making sure they actually understand before having to do it on their own. I feel people are more motivated when they know how to do something.
Thoughts or plans on the science program? I’d like to get more girls to take physics. I only have one girl in AP Physics 1 and one in AP Physics 2, so we need more girls.
