SERVE AT GRACE
CONTINUING A PROUD TRADITION
WELCOME TO SERVING AT GRACE
Join what God is doing at GIS! Serving at GIS is a unique and unforgettable experience. It is because of people with a heart for ministry that we can help over 250 families of international Christian workers advance the kingdom of God around the world. We have put together information on this page on different ways to serve and how to start getting involved.
WAYS TO SERVE
What makes Grace International School a special place is our staff. Our teachers, administrators, and school aides are passionate about providing a strong education where biblical truth permeates all subjects and programs. We are looking for a variety of full-time and part-time professionals to join us in supporting Christian workers in Asia. The safety and welfare of our students is a top priority. All applicants will undergo a background check in addition to other security measures.
Full-Time Staff
Full-time Thai and non-Thai staff work together to provide a quality education for students and caring support for families. Thai staff are salaried, while non-Thai staff receive visas, work permits, and additional benefits. For the full list of available positions and benefits, visit the link below.
- Admissions
- Educational Support
- Elementary
- Home and Distance Learning
- Secondary
- Student Life
School Aides
School aides are a vital part of our team at Grace International School and we would love to have you be a part of it. Our school aides serve at least once a week and help in areas including:
- Administrative
- Athletics Coaching
- Cafeteria
- Elementary
- Library Support
- Recess
- Secondary
Parent-Staff Community
Our Parent-Staff Community (PSC) is a group of parents working to foster healthy communication between parents and staff, facilitate community amongst GIS families, and to encourage staff and show gratitude for all they do. The PSC is involved in many events that help the school and bring the community together.
SENDING ORGANIZATIONS
Our mission is to provide quality and affordable education to children of international Christian workers so that they can stay in the field long-term. We are partnered with 85+ organizations who serve in 40+ countries across the world.
2022/2023 - SCHOOL THEME “EQUIP”
In our first year on our new campus, we began taking root as we settled in. During our second year, we abide in God to get us through the unexpected drought brought on by COVID-19. This year is a year of equipping—of growing and bearing fruit. Jeremiah 17 encourages us that as long as we trust in the Lord, we will be like a tree planted by the stream and never fail to bear fruit, no matter our situation. Our goal for the 2022–2023 school year is that we may grow in unity, fellowship, and knowledge of God’s word. This will be a life-shaping year with new opportunities as God brings us out of a period of drought.
WHAT STAFF ARE SAYING ABOUT GIS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers. We understand you may have questions beyond this. If you don't find your answer below please email us and we'll respond ASAP!
SERVE FAQ
Absolutely! We would love for you to come and see our school in action, meet our teachers and staff, and get a feel for life in Thailand.
Grace operates under the authority of Thailand’s Ministry of Education and must follow Thai law regarding the teachers we hire. Thai law requires that all teachers have a degree in Education and/or a valid teaching credential from their home country. Grace prefers to hire experienced teaching staff who have the appropriate credentials.
In order to keep tuition costs low for missionary families, Grace is not able to provide salary, housing, or airfare allowance for staff. What we do provide is a vibrant workplace, like-minded colleagues, and a unique community of staff and families all committed to sharing the love of Jesus throughout SE Asia.
The GIS recruiting office can help incoming staff find suitable housing, as we are often aware of houses being vacated by families leaving the area. Your sending organization may also be involved in your search. For more information about moving to Chiang Mai, see our Living in Thailand FAQ below.
Yes. Grace will provide the information you need to obtain a visa which will enable you to live and work in Thailand. This process is sometimes lengthy and can be a bit “bumpy.” It’s all part of the journey, and we will be there to walk each step of that journey with you!
Grace provides basic coverage to our full-time teachers, but not whole families, while in Thailand. Most mission organizations require their members and their families to have medical insurance both overseas and in their passport country. Bangkok and Chiang Mai have numerous clinics and hospitals catering to a variety of needs and are generally well regarded within SE Asia. Major public and private hospitals are equipped with the latest medical technology and internationally qualified specialists. Almost all pharmaceuticals are widely available.
Tuition is waived for the children of full-time teachers, up to three students. There will be some registration fees required.
We follow a standard U.S. system, beginning school in mid-August and usually ending by June 1 or 2. Breaks or holidays throughout the year include October (fall), Christmas, and April (spring) breaks. Take a look at our school calendar for the current year and the following year.
Grace does not provide general missionary pre-field orientation. Most mission organizations will provide that. Grace does provide new staff orientation two weeks before the start of the school year. This gives new staff time to meet administrators and fellow employees as well as begin to understand the culture and systems of Grace. We strongly recommend that new staff move to Thailand at least one month prior to new staff orientation to have adequate time to begin to adjust to life in their new country.
Your mission organization will determine how much you will need to raise in order to live in Chiang Mai.
While public transportation is inexpensive and easily accessible, most Grace staff find that owning their own vehicle gives them freedom and flexibility. Cars and motorbikes are the most commonly owned vehicles. You will need to obtain a Thai driver’s license once you are settled in Chiang Mai.
Yes! There are many grocery stores with imported items, along with five shopping malls, theaters, and Western restaurants. As well, there are many local markets which sell lots of fresh fruits and vegetables very inexpensively.
LIVING IN THAILAND
Located in a fertile, tropical landscape in the heart of Southeast Asia, Thailand is a mosaic of diversity and culture. A nation of over 60 million, the Thai sense of identity is allied with Buddhism and the Monarchy. It is a country proud of its independence, rich heritage and tradition, but it has also adapted and embraced the rapid change brought about by globalization.
Thailand is a warm and rather humid tropical country with a monsoonal climate. There are three seasons. Hot and Dry: March–May, Rainy: June–October, Cool: November–February. Because Chiang Mai sits in a valley surrounded by mountains, the weather tends to be milder than in Bangkok and other parts of the country.
The population in Thailand as of 2015 is 65,729,098, of which more than 10 million live in the capital city, Bangkok. The population of Chiang Mai is 170,000 in the city proper, but there are more than one million in the metropolitan area. Along with a large Thai population, there are also many ethnic Hill Tribes in Chiang Mai and the surrounding northern regions.
The national language is Thai. The Thai language is tonal, meaning that when you speak a word, the pitch of your voice is an integral part of that word. If you speak with the wrong pitch, you are saying a different word. For example, in Thai, the word that sounds (roughly) like “maa” means “to come,” but the word that sounds (roughly) like “maa?” means “dog” or “horse” depending on how you say it.
Buddhism is the primary religion in Thailand. Buddhists comprise 94.2% of the population, with Muslims at 4.6%, Christians at 0.8%, and others at 0.4%. There is a well known and widely accepted saying in Thailand: “To be Thai is to be Buddhist, to be Buddhist is to be Thai.” Buddhism is so closely intertwined within Thai culture that it impacts almost every area of life in Thailand.
Bangkok and Chiang Mai have numerous clinics and hospitals catering to a variety of needs and are generally well regarded within SE Asia. Major public and private hospitals are equipped with the latest medical technology and internationally qualified specialists. Almost all pharmaceuticals are widely available.
220 volts, 50 cycles throughout the country.
Thai Baht is the standard currency unit.
Chiang Mai and its surrounding province is an area of land with thousands of years of history. Its old walled city, including a moat, harkens back to a long ago era before Chiang Mai was joined with the country of Thailand. With its mist-covered mountains, ethnic Hill Tribe villages, rolling rivers, historic temples, and wild elephants, it is a place where inspiring scenery and the potential for adventure abounds. It is also known as one of the most livable cities in the world, enjoyed for its low cost of living and modern conveniences. There are many grocery stores with imported items, along with five shopping malls, theaters, and Western restaurants. One third of the world’s population lives within a three hour plane ride from Chiang Mai, making it a strategic hub for travel and a popular base of operations for missionary work.
