The Teachers of the Academic Access Program

by Mark Hefner

22 February, 2017

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND: The Academic Access Program (AAP) is a strong ESL supported US Common Core State Standard (CCSS) course for children aged 5 to 11 with limited English abilities. The AAP increases their English abilities and in order to integrate them into the mainstream international program at Nakornpayap International School (NIS). The filtering of students by the AAP allows the mainstream international school at NIS to teach higher quality classes.

Mr. Mark Hefner, from the United States, is the AAP Coordinator.  The diversity Mr. Hefner brings to the AAP ranges from his various assignments in his 20 years in the US Army to his international graduate education and experience here in Thailand. 

As a soldier, Mr. Hefner worked on US Army Nuclear Weapons, the Patriot Missile System and was an US Army Recruiter. Later, while studying for a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business management and administration, Mr. Hefner worked Payap University’s International Marketing Department, the International College and was the Director of the Language Enhancement Center. 

South African native, Mr. Paul Kleinschmidt, has been teaching English for 7 years in Thailand. Mr. Kleinschmidt has a creative background that started in South Africa by designing interactive educational exhibit for museums and science centers for MTE Studios. This initial educational focus at MTE Studios eventually prompted Mr. Kleinschmidt to earn a CELTA certificate start teaching. 

The AAP is expanding and by March 2017, there will be 15 students. We expect approximately 30 students to apply by August. Class size will be limited to ten students in each class with one teacher and a support teacher.

For more information or to sign up check out the NIS website at nis.ac.th.