Surin, Thailand · Teacher Certification In Progress

A coach and mentor,
now training for the classroom.

Benjamin Cunningham — ESL instructor, youth mentor, and teacher-certification candidate at Moreland University. Fifteen years building enterprises and coaching young people; three years teaching English in a Thai elementary school; and a decade of classroom experience across five countries before that.

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Benjamin Cunningham with his wife and two sons in Surin, Thailand
Surin, Thailand — home for over a decade
Surin
Province
2022–present

Profile

A dedicated educator and longtime youth mentor pursuing teaching as a committed second career. More than a decade of hands-on experience coaching and developing young people, combined with current weekly elementary ESL teaching in Thailand and classroom experience across five countries. An accomplished, disciplined professional who built and led international enterprises in Thailand over fifteen years — now channeling that same drive, structure, and work ethic into the classroom.

Currently Enrolled

Teacher Certification & Master of Education — Moreland University

An online, U.S.-based teacher preparation pathway. Enrolled June 2026, with completion expected mid-2027 — building the formal credential behind years of real classroom time already logged.

2027 Expected Completion
The Long Way To The Classroom

Five countries. One throughline.

Every stop taught a different kind of classroom — primary learners in Latvia, PSAT prep in Costa Rica, extended essay coaching in Mexico — and, in between, fifteen years building businesses and coaching youth sports in Texas and Thailand.

LVA
′03
2003–04
Latvia
Primary English, Int'l School of Latvia
CRI
′06
2006–07
Costa Rica
ESL & PSAT, Amer. Int'l School
ARG
′08
2008–09
Argentina
ESL Instructor, BAICA
MEX
′10
2010–11
Mexico
ESL & Extended Essay, Colegio El Camino
USA
10+yr
Ongoing
Texas
Volunteer youth football coach
THA
′12
2012–23
Thailand
Founder, two international enterprises
THA
NOW
2022–present
Surin, Thailand
Weekly ESL, Ban Han Hee School
Teaching & Mentoring Experience

What the work actually looks like

2022–Present
English / ESL Instructor (Volunteer)
Ban Han Hee School — Surin Province, Thailand
  • Teach weekly English/ESL lessons to elementary-age (K–5) students, building consistent classroom routines and rapport over three years.
  • Design age-appropriate, conversational lessons developing foundational vocabulary, listening, and speaking confidence among young Thai learners.
  • Partnered with the school community and co-funded a full electrical renovation of the facility.
Benjamin Cunningham with students, teachers, and staff at Ban Han Hee School in Surin Province, Thailand
With students and staff at Ban Han Hee School, Surin Province
10+ Years
Youth Football Coach (Volunteer)
Community Youth Athletics — Texas, USA
  • Coached and mentored youth American football teams for more than a decade — skill development, teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship.
  • Managed practices and taught fundamentals through structured progression, fostering a positive, high-standards team culture directly transferable to classroom management.
Ongoing
Founder & Instructor
englishteacher.com — Thailand / Online
  • Own and operate an independent English-language instruction site, developing learner-focused materials with digital teaching tools.
Ongoing
Private English Instructor
Independent — Thailand
  • Taught English from the ground up to an adult learner, now fluent — a personalized, immersive curriculum built from scratch.
  • Raising bilingual, bicultural children in a dual-language household.
2003–2011
Earlier International ESL Teaching
Latvia · Costa Rica · Argentina · Mexico
  • International School of Latvia, Babite — Primary English (2003–2004)
  • American International School of Costa Rica, Heredia — ESL & PSAT (2006–2007)
  • BAICA, Buenos Aires — ESL Instructor (2008–2009)
  • Colegio El Camino, Cabo San Lucas — ESL, Extended Essay & Community Service (2010–2011)
Community Involvement

More than the classroom

Teaching in Surin Province means showing up for the community around the school too — from village gatherings to outreach events with students, teachers, and families.

Benjamin Cunningham with community members and teachers at a village gathering in Surin Province, Thailand
Community outreach event, Surin Province
A moment from the community, on video
Benjamin Cunningham with a local vendor at a village festival in Surin Province, Thailand
Local festival, Surin Province
Neighborhood children in Surin Province, Thailand
Neighborhood kids, Surin Province
Professional Background

Fifteen years of building things

Before returning to the classroom full-time, Benjamin ran international enterprises that demanded the same discipline, communication, and cross-cultural fluency he now brings to teaching.

2014–2023

Founder & Owner — Thai-Tex Cattle Exporters / thaibeef.com

Built and led an international livestock enterprise exporting American Brahman cattle from Texas to Thailand, managing complex logistics, compliance, and cross-border operations. Licensed cattle judge; organized and hosted cattle shows, presenting to and educating public audiences. Grew the business to a successful exit in 2023.

2012–2014

Founder & CEO — CNX Living Ltd.

Founded and operated a registered Thai company (97% owner), maintaining full Thai tax compliance over multiple years — reflecting a deep, long-term commitment to living and contributing in Thailand.

Strengths

What a school gets

10+ years mentoring & coaching youth Elementary & conversational ESL instruction Cross-cultural classroom experience — 5 countries Strong public speaking & communication Discipline, structure & reliability of a proven leader Long-term Thailand residency & cultural fluency U.S. citizen; long-term Thailand resident on a family visa Valid Thai driver's license
Education

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration

Centenary College of Louisiana — Shreveport, LA · 2001
  • Minor in Speech · GPA 3.44 · Dean's List
  • National Dean's List; Sigma Beta Delta (Beta Gamma Sigma) honor society
  • Speech Club President; statewide debate award
In Progress

Teacher Certification & Master of Education

Moreland University (Online) · Enrolled June 2026
  • U.S.-based teacher preparation pathway
  • Expected completion mid-2027