The PantherNation Long Talk: Mrs. Lamontagne

The Long Talk offers a chance to sit down with the various personalities in the ISB community and get to know them a little bit better.  Here is our chat with newly arrived Science teacher, Mrs. Julie Lamontagne.

Where did you grow up and what made you want to become a teacher?

I grew up in Canada. I was born in Toronto. My father worked for children’s hospitals so we moved a lot. I went to elementary school in Vancouver, middle and high school in Halifax and university in Ottawa and Kingston. I was lucky to have my sister as a best friend who was always by my side. I never thought I would become a teacher in high school. But when I started working at a science and engineering camp at the University of Ottawa, it was amazing seeing the wonder on kids’ faces when we would do an explosion or sit on a bed of nails. I’ve never looked back!

 What position did you have previous to coming to ISB?

I was a secondary science teacher at the International School Yangon in Myanmar. I taught middle school science, Grade 10 Chemistry and IB Chemistry.  Before that I taught in Qatar, Canada, Pakistan and the U.A.E.

Why did you choose to come to ISB?

It is an amazing school. I have known many people who have been a part of this school (Mr. and Mrs. Barnes, Mrs. Puckett & Dr. Deb) and they all had wonderful things to say. As an international teacher, this is really a dream school. I love the students, my colleagues, our community, the facilities, the city of Bangkok and the country of Thailand.

If you could give some advice to YOUR High School self, what would it be?

You be You! I believe we all have a role to play and we are all great at something. We just have to find it.  The only way we can find our role is by being ourselves and following our passion.