Mr. Michael has been with The American School since August 2022 and will be the Elementary School EAL teacher for the 2024/2025 school year.

Mr. Michael Santiago was born in a small town in Pennsylvania, USA and has been living in Vietnam since 2017. He is happily married, with a beautiful young daughter. Mr. Michael’s teaching career started with the US Peace Corps. He served as a teacher in the Kyrgyz Republic where he was able to help foster an environment of inclusive and innovative educational practices. Mr. Michael has since gone on to work in various other countries in Asia such as Tajikistan, China, Laos and of course Vietnam.

Mr. Santiago holds the following degrees and certifications:

• Master of International Education, Framingham University (in progress)
• Masters of International Affairs, Concordia University Irvine
• Bachelor of Education, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
• US Peace Corps Teacher Certification
• TESOL Certificate, Concordia University Irvine
• WIDA Certified
• PYP Category 1 Certification

In his capacity as an educator, Mr. Michael holds a deep-seated commitment to sparking inspiration within every student and dedication to nurturing their innate creativity and self-awareness. Through interactive learning, collaborative activities, and exploration of diverse educational methods, he seeks to cultivate a profound sense of joy and fulfillment in the shared journey of academic discovery. Drawing upon his experience and knowledge, Mr. Michael designs lesson plans tailored to the unique strengths and needs of each student, fostering holistic growth and development in a supportive and inclusive learning environment. In Mr. Michael’s free time he enjoys writing and spending time with his family.