Dr. Simeonidis

After 10 years of teaching at Taipei American School (TAS), Dr. Nick Simeonidis is bidding farewell to his colleagues and students in Taiwan. 

As a retired lawyer with an extensive background in law, Dr. Simeonidis never expected to enter the education field as a teacher. However, he soon saw that educating young minds could be just as fulfilling. “[I enjoy] marveling at the extraordinary abilities of some of my students, particularly in the last few years, as I’ve challenged them with pretty nuanced and sophisticated legal concepts,” he said.

His students have felt the impact of his dynamic teaching style. “Class is never boring with Dr. Simeonidis—he always brings energy and challenges to every lesson,” Lele M. (‘25), one of his law students said. “I’m genuinely grateful I had the chance to learn from him and be part of the engaging classroom environment he created.”

Because his time as a history and law teacher at TAS was the longest duration that he has been at one job for, one of the major aspects Dr. Simeonidis will feel the loss of is interacting with his students. “When you are an adult and you retire, you can go weeks without speaking to a teenager. So I think I’m going to miss that,” he said. When asked what makes TAS so special, his reply was short and simple. “That’s easy. It’s the students.”

Despite the reason that brought him to TAS being his wife’s job as the Lower School Principal, Dr. Simeonidis’ motive behind moving is not career-related, but rather to be closer to his family. “My wife and I are about to become grandparents. We’ve spent the last decade apart from our children, and it’s time now to bring us all back together.” 

Mr. Anderson

Mr. Steve Anderson is another teacher departing from TAS in the next academic school year. Through his 14-year career at TAS, Mr. Anderson has taught several disciplines of science, from chemistry and biology to environmental science. 

To Mr. Anderson, TAS holds a sentiment far deeper than just a job. After adopting his two children from China, he opted to move to Taiwan to immerse them in the culture and Mandarin language. “They were in second and fourth grade when we arrived and both graduated from TAS,” he said. “The opportunity TAS gave my family to expand their world view is what made it so special.”

In addition to his family connection to TAS, he truly cherishes his time as a Cross Country and Track coach, as well as his many students and colleagues. “[I will miss] my students and my science department colleagues—the best of any place I have ever taught,” he said. 

His admiration for his students is surely reciprocated. “Mr. Anderson is the funniest and most talented chemistry teacher ever. He tells jokes that make chemistry class so much more fun,” said Lucy W. (‘27), one of his chemistry students. 

As for the future, Mr. Anderson is moving to be closer to his children and mother in New Hampshire. Yet, he does not plan on retiring from education as a whole and plans on teaching at the boarding school, St. Paul’s School.