Chiang Mai International School

Michal Dobson – Thailand

Michal Dobson – Thailand

Chiang Mai International School, (CMIS) located in Chiang Mai, Thailand, has been my work location for 20 years. It was the first school of its kind in northern Thailand.

The school has been in existence more than fifty years. Presbyterian, Disciple and Baptist mission personnel here at that time formed the school to provide an education for their children. Theidea was to free up the wives to do more mission work instead of home-schooling. They met that first year on the large teak-wood porchof a large mission house. There were eight students using the Calvert correspondence materials and one teacher.

Today the school uses an American-based curriculum with some changes. Teachers have the freedomtodecide howthey teach and choose materials that work best for them. CMISis situated on property ofand owned by the Church of Christ in Thailand, the largest Thai Christian church here. This locationcame with one of these oldmission homes. The home remains and is the office area. There are a total of six buildings since the school has been built in stages. A gymnasiumis in progress. Playground space includes two basketball courts and a soccer field as well as a play area for the younger students.

Today the student body numbers 400+ and the range is K-12. High school was added on a year at a time 12 years ago. Fifty some teachers come from all over the world to teach here. In spite of this amazing growth, the family flavor has continued and the caring andcommunity feel are still present. The main reason of existence is still to educate the children of missionaries but the doors have been opened to all in the community who choose an English-language education for their children.

Michal Dobson

Michal Dobson is a missionary with the Church of Christ in Thailand, assigned to the Chiang Mai International School. She serves as an elementary teacher and also assists in the development of curriculum.