BS in Mathematics
Graduate certificate in Secondary Mathematics Instruction (Grades 7-12)
U.S. teaching license in Secondary Mathematics Instruction (Grades 7-12)
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate
5 years classroom experience, 10 years tutoring experience
 
Colby Thomas is from Florida in the United States and has five years of international teaching experience in China as well as more than ten years of total teaching and tutoring experience.

The most important thing to him in teaching is helping students develop healthy learning and thinking habits so as to prepare them for higher education and navigating adult life. He believes accomplishing this requires both proper modeling inside and outside of the classroom and developing strong rapport with students; as a result, relationship building is crucial. He finds these relationships are where teachers can have the greatest effect on students, and they are also his motivation for continuing to teach, as teacher-student relationships enrich the lives of both and are wonderful sources of learning and understanding.

He has lived in China for nearly seven years, progressively improving his grasp of Mandarin and Chinese culture, and has also started a family here. As a result, he is acutely aware of the difficulties in adjusting to new cultures and gaining confidence and proficiency in a foreign language while trying to employ it personally and publically.
He looks forward to establishing relationships here and assisting students in their learning and personal growth journeys while supporting them in pushing boundaries, realizing their potential, and becoming the best versions of themselves.