Career Path Of A Secondary Lead Teacher At International School Of Aruba
Sean's career path, beginning with an international affairs degree and a Capitol Hill internship, unexpectedly shifted to education after joining Teach for America. The subsequent roles—from seventh-grade teacher to principal, to international school educator, principal mentor, and even teaching a celebrity's children abroad—demonstrate a consistent commitment to "education and public service," showcasing a remarkably diverse and globally-minded career trajectory.
International Education, Educational Leadership, Career Pivoting, Global Experiences, Public Service
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Sean Holiday
Secondary Lead/Teacher
International School of Aruba
George Washington University, 2006
Masters in Education, Loyola Marymount University, 2008; Master in Public Administration, University of Southern California, 2012
International Relations & Affairs
Education
Education
Honors Student, Worked 20+ Hours in School, LGBTQ
Video Highlights
1. Sean's career path highlights a combination of education, public service, and international experience, showcasing diverse opportunities within education.
2. His journey from teaching seventh grade to becoming a principal, then working internationally, demonstrates various career progression options within the education field.
3. His experiences with Teach for America, the Coral Fellowship, and working in different countries highlight the value of seeking diverse experiences and pursuing opportunities outside of traditional career paths.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college, any internships, or jobs you had before your current role?
I attended George Washington University, where I majored in International Affairs with a concentration in African Studies. I also minored in French and history.
I interned on Capitol Hill for a congressman for three years, with the goal of going into the Foreign Service. However, I ended up being recruited by Teach for America and changed paths. I taught seventh-grade humanities at a small charter school in downtown LA.
I loved teaching right away and became department chair my second year. After teaching for a third year, I applied for and was accepted into the Coral Fellowship. I took a year off to complete the fellowship in public affairs, which gave me a lot of experience outside of education.
When I was 25, I returned to my original TFA school as assistant principal for 10 months. Then, at 26, I was promoted to principal. I served in that role for a little over three years before deciding to explore opportunities abroad.
I ended up teaching economics, history, English, and leadership in the Democratic Republic of Congo at the international school there. I came back to LA in 2017, where I was the principal of that school for three years.
After that, I became a principal mentor, coaching new principals for a year. This was with Alliance College Ready Public Schools. Then, I had an amazing opportunity through an education management agency to teach a celebrity's children while she filmed a movie abroad.
I moved to the Dominican Republic for a short period to do that. Then I moved to Aruba to work at the international school there, teaching economics, history, and geography. In a couple of months, I'll be moving back to LA to work with that same celebrity again.
There's been a lot of movement, but I think there's always been a connection to education and public service through my work.
Advizer Personal Links
www.seanholiday.com; Instagram @sholiday