Charles City High School vocal music teacher takes job across the globe

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

High school vocal teacher Derek Sturtevant has made a big impact on the kids in Charles City during his seven years in the district, but next year he will be teaching in a very different environment.

On Aug. 7, Sturtevant will be leaving for Guangzhou, China, to teach at Nansha College Preparatory Academy.

“I’ve always been interested in the prospect of teaching abroad,” said Sturtevant. “I thought that would be a neat thing.”

Sturtevant found the position through UNI Overseas Job Fair, which connects American teachers with opportunities to educate in schools across the globe. He said he had originally signed up for the program during the COVID-19 pandemic and has been checking it out semi-regularly since then looking for an opening that peaked his interest.

“This is an opportunity for me to step out of my comfort zone,” said Sturtevant.

Like in Charles City, Sturtevant will continue to teach 9-12 grade choir in his new position. The school will take care of his housing while he is there and, as a private prep school that prepares Chinese students for higher education in western universities, the English-language immersion school will allow Sturtevant to work with his students without worrying too much about the language barrier.

“The job was such a good fit for me,” said Sturtevant. “Everything is done in a western style.”

Which is not to say that there won’t be big changes involved. Moving from rural Iowa to a sprawling Chinese city will take a lot of getting used to and Sturtevant is eager to experience the new environment while learning a new language.

“I will, hopefully, learn as I go,” he said.

In the meantime, Sturtevant is preparing for the big move by selling his house and clearing out unneeded possessions. He plans to stay with his parents in Illinois until it’s time for the overseas adventure.

“It’s very bittersweet to leave Charles City,” said Sturtevant, who said he will miss his students and all of the other friends he’s made here. “It’s been amazing to fall in love with a small town in Iowa.”