International Teacher Podcast — Episode 139

Guest: Chris Irvin
Location: Shenzhen, China

Transcript

00:31 – Introduction

JP Mint:
Okay, hey everybody, welcome to another episode of the International Teacher Podcast. I am joined today with Greg the Single Guy.

Chris Irvin:
Okay.

Greg:
Hey everybody, how you doing JP?

JP Mint:
And folks, we are in for a treat because we have an actual on-air reunion between Greg’s friend, Chris Irvin, and Greg. Hi, Chris!

Chris Irvin:
Hello, thanks for having me.

01:01 – Where Chris Is Calling From

JP Mint:
Where are you calling us from?

Chris Irvin:
So I’m in Shenzhen, China, which is southern China in Guangdong Province, right across from Hong Kong.

JP Mint:
Nice. Yeah, I’ve been to Shenzhen. It’s kind of the tech capital of China, isn’t it?

01:15 – Reunion Backstory (Venezuela)

Chris Irvin:
It absolutely is a reunion because we worked together at Colegio Internacional de Puerto La Cruz in Venezuela. We spent quite a few years together there. Greg was affectionately known as “Goyo” by everyone.

He had great moments… and moments where his car got stolen too. I was there through all the ups and downs.

Greg:
You rescued my anchor from another boat once, remember that?

Chris Irvin:
Yeah, that’s right. We both owned boats. That was life down there.

Greg:
I left in 2013.

Chris Irvin:
Yeah, that’s the last time I saw Greg.

02:36 – Chris’s Career Path Begins

JP Mint:
Chris, you stayed on in Venezuela.

Chris Irvin:
I did. I stayed as long as I could, then moved into leadership at another school before eventually leaving.

03:01 – Growing Up in Canada

Chris Irvin:
I’m from Ottawa, Canada. I grew up in Manor Park, then Lindenlea, then back to Lindenlea again.

JP Mint:
Wait—you went to Manor Park Public School?

Chris Irvin:
Yes.

JP Mint:
You’d know my brother Michael Malay.

Chris Irvin:
Yeah… I haven’t heard that name in a long time.

Greg:
ITP listeners—this is a reunion like none other.

05:00 – Family of Educators

Chris Irvin:
My dad was a teacher and later became president of the OSSTF in Eastern Ontario. My mom worked for the Ottawa-Carleton School Board doing board minutes and admin work.

06:11 – Choosing Teaching

Chris Irvin:
I didn’t go straight into teaching. I worked as an outdoor guide—ski instructor in winter, guiding in summer. Eventually I realized there wasn’t a long-term plan there.

I went back to Teachers College at Queen’s University, which had the Toronto Overseas Recruitment Fair (TORF).

07:30 – Overseas Recruitment & First Posting

Chris Irvin:
TORF is realistic—only about 10–20% of new grads get jobs. Visa requirements usually require two years’ experience.

I didn’t get hired directly at the fair, but through Queen’s I ended up teaching PE in inner Venezuela. It was a privately owned school with a Canadian principal who hired several Queen’s grads.

09:49 – Moving Up in Venezuela

Chris Irvin:
After one year, I was headhunted to a better school. I helped start an athletic conference and eventually stayed in Venezuela for 22 years across three schools.

One school had a seven-year clause where you switched to a local contract. I did that for family reasons—my wife was Venezuelan, we had kids, and support nearby.

Later, due to inflation, I renegotiated to be paid in U.S. dollars.

14:11 – Leadership Pathway

Chris Irvin:
I moved into a Dean of Students role, then leadership training through PTC. I realized admin was the direction I wanted to go.

Eventually I moved schools again, then decided it was time to leave Venezuela.

19:20 – Why China

Chris Irvin:
We wanted:

• A larger school

• A functional country

• An IB continuum

• Strong opportunities for our kids

We landed in Shenzhen at a full IB continuum school.

20:39 – Current Role

Chris Irvin:
I’m now a middle school principal—grades 6 to 8—with just over 200 students. The full school is about 800 students, Pre-K to Grade 12.

21:46 – Empty Nesters

Chris Irvin:
Our oldest studied Mandarin at the University of Shenzhen, then moved to Dalhousie University for marine biology.

Our younger son is at the University of Waterloo studying biochemistry.

27:25 – Life in China

Chris Irvin:
China is very safe for teenagers. They’re independent—ordering food, taking taxis, scooters.

We live on campus, which creates a bit of an expat bubble, but it’s a great lifestyle.

30:24 – Language & Culture

Chris Irvin:
Mandarin is tough. Smartphones make it harder because you don’t need to speak. You scan menus, order cars—it keeps you from learning.

36:46 – Community & Health

Chris Irvin:
Most of my friends outside school are other educators. I had emergency back surgery recently, which forced me to rethink wellness.

39:15 – Halloween at School

Chris Irvin:
We did Halloween assemblies. I dressed as “6–7” (IB grading joke). Middle schoolers loved it… and roasted me for it.

42:13 – Hiring Philosophy

Chris Irvin:
Fit matters more than credentials alone.

I look for the “plus one”—what someone brings beyond teaching:

• Creativity

• Stability

• Fresh perspective

• Ability to listen

IB is a framework, not a curriculum. We hire strong teachers and train them later unless it’s DP, which requires certification.

1:05:37 – Advice for Candidates

Chris Irvin:
Don’t eliminate yourself. Apply even without IB experience. Timing and fit matter.

Ask schools:
“What are you looking for right now in a candidate?”

1:24:00 – Venezuela Police Story

Chris Irvin:
I ran a red light at night. Got pulled over. The officer wanted a bribe—but not money.

He asked for honey.

I brought him three bottles of artisanal honey the next day and that was that.

1:28:36 – Final Thoughts

Chris Irvin:
There are pearls of wisdom in every story. Focus on what you can learn. Most of us are lifelong learners.

1:29:42 – Closing

JP Mint:
From Manor Park Public School to Shenzhen, China—what a journey. Thank you so much for coming on the show.

Greg:
Thanks, Chris. It’s been amazing reconnecting.

Chris Irvin:
Thank you so much for having me.