Executive Profile and Professional Achievements

Executive Profile and Professional Achievements
Mr. Wichai Nontakan (Director Jason)

School Director, Ban Khlong Manao School
Sa Kaeo Primary Educational Service Area Office 2, Thailand

“From alumnus to school director—committed to cultivating discipline, advancing educational innovation, and empowering Thai youth to become global citizens.”

Professional Profile

Mr. Wichai Nontakan, widely known as “Director Jason,” is an alumnus and the current Director of Ban Khlong Manao School. He is committed to transforming a small border-area school into a place of opportunity, innovation, and meaningful learning for every student.

He has extensive experience in educational administration, school leadership, teacher development, active learning, international volunteer coordination, and the integration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into school-based practices.

Throughout his professional journey, he has participated in educational leadership and international exchange programmes in several countries, including the United States, Japan, India, and the Philippines. He actively applies international knowledge, innovative practices, and global networks to the development of students, teachers, schools, and local communities.

Educational Background

• Master of Education in Educational Administration
  Pathumthani University, 2017

• Master of Arts in Development Education
  Burapha University, 2009
  Recipient of the Outstanding Thesis Award for a case study on learning resources within the Thai community in Los Angeles, United States

• Bachelor of Arts in English
  Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, 2020

• Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education, Second-Class Honours
  Burapha University, 2005

Basic Education

• Primary Education: Ban Khlong Manao School, Sa Kaeo Province

• Upper Secondary Education, Science–Mathematics Programme: Watthana Nakhon School, Sa Kaeo Province

Professional Experience

• 1 October 2022–Present
  School Director, Senior Professional Level
  Ban Khlong Manao School, Sa Kaeo Primary Educational Service Area Office 2

• 1 March 2019–30 September 2022
  School Director, Professional Level
  Khlong Yang Nusorn School, Sa Kaeo Primary Educational Service Area Office 2

• 23 October 2018–28 February 2019
  Professional-Level Teacher
  Ban Khao Chan School, Sa Kaeo Primary Educational Service Area Office 2

• 14 October 2014–22 January 2018
  Teacher, K1 Professional Level
  Ban Khao Chan School, Sa Kaeo Primary Educational Service Area Office 2

• 23 January 2012–12 October 2014
  Assistant Teacher
  Wat Phutthisan School, Sa Kaeo Primary Educational Service Area Office 2
  (Second appointment to Thai government service)

• 1 January 2010–30 October 2011
  Volunteer Thai-Language Teacher
  Non-Formal and Informal Education Centre, Wat Pa Thammachat, United States

• 1 June 2008–30 May 2009
  Volunteer Teacher of Thai Language and Culture
  Buddhist School of Wat Thai Los Angeles, California, United States

• 2 November 2005–30 July 2007
  Assistant Teacher
  Samakkhirat Bamrung School, Sa Kaeo Educational Service Area Office 1
  Resigned from government service to undertake an educational mission abroad

• 16 May 2005–30 September 2005
  Contract Teacher
  Triam Phutthasat School, General Education Division,
  National Office of Buddhism, Prachin Buri Province

Major Awards and Honours

2026

• Kru Dee Si Sa Kaeo Award, Sa Kaeo Primary Educational Service Area Office 2

• Excellent-Level Moral Teacher Award, Sa Kaeo Primary Educational Service Area Office 2

2025

• Best of the Best Award in the Active Learning Video Competition

2023

• Selected by the Office of the Basic Education Commission as a national model for educational innovation leadership: Innovation Leader for SDGs

2022

• First Prize at the Excellent Level, Small-School Administrator Category, for exemplary leadership in promoting 21st-century learning

• Best Practice Award for innovation in learning promotion

2021

• Certificate of Recognition as a Dedicated and Persevering Researcher, awarded by the Office of the Basic Education Commission

2017

• Received a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Los Angeles, United States, in recognition of contributions to the Thai community abroad

International Experience and Achievements

1. Innovators SEAL 2026 — Philippines

In 2026, Mr. Nontakan was selected to participate in the Innovators in Education: Southeast Asian School Leadership Programme—Innovators SEAL 2026, organised by SEAMEO INNOTECH in the Philippines.

The programme focuses on strengthening school leadership, educational innovation, and professional networks among school leaders across Southeast Asia.

2. ITEC-IPHEI — India

In 2026, he was awarded a scholarship supported by the Government of India to participate in the International Programme on Institutional Planning for Heads of Educational Institutions (ITEC-IPHEI) at the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), New Delhi, India.

The programme focused on strategic planning, institutional management, educational leadership, and international professional networking. His participation was supported and coordinated by the Thailand International Cooperation Agency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Office of the Basic Education Commission.

3. ACCU Teacher Exchange Programme — Japan

In 2025, he was selected as a Thai educator representative to participate in the 11th Invitation Programme for Teachers from Japan (ACCU) in Tokyo, Japan.

The programme was coordinated by the Bureau of International Cooperation, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Thailand.

The experience provided opportunities to exchange ideas on school administration, student development, Education for Sustainable Development, and international cooperation between schools in Thailand and Japan.

Volunteer Work and Global Networks

From 2012 to 2020, Mr. Nonthakan founded and served as the principal coordinator of Free Volunteer Thailand, an initiative that recruited and coordinated international volunteers to support English-language learning in schools across Thailand.

He also served as a volunteer teacher of Thai language and culture through a programme of the Faculty of Education, Chulalongkorn University, working with Thai communities in California and Las Vegas, United States.

These experiences became an important foundation for his commitment to developing students’ communication skills, intercultural understanding, global awareness, and readiness to become responsible global citizens.

International Projects Under Consideration in 2026

1. Advancing Nutrition and Learning through AI in a Border-Area School

Mr. Nonthakan submitted the project:

“Young Data Innovators: AI for Nutrition, Learning, and Community Well-being in a Thai Border School”

to the 2026 SEAMEO–Japan ESD Award.

The project applies data and artificial intelligence to improve nutrition management, student learning, and community well-being in a Thai border-area school. It connects classroom learning with real challenges faced by the school and its surrounding community.

The award is organised by the SEAMEO Secretariat in cooperation with Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and UNESCO Bangkok. The results are scheduled to be announced on 1 October 2026.

2. Teacher Lifelong Learning and Development in the Age of AI

He has been nominated for consideration for the UNESCO Belt and Road Exchange Project 2026, Autumn Session, under the programme:

“Teacher Lifelong Learning and Development in the Age of AI”

The programme focuses on preparing teachers to become lifelong learners, adapt to technological change, and design meaningful learning experiences in the age of artificial intelligence. The selection results are expected in late September 2026.

3. Connecting Global Sustainability Networks with the Classroom

He has applied to participate in the Global Schools Advocates Program under the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).

The programme develops educators as advocates for sustainable development who can integrate the SDGs into school curricula, classroom activities, and local action while establishing international networks for educational cooperation.

The selection results are scheduled to be announced on 5 October 2026.

Note: The projects in this section are currently under consideration and do not represent confirmed selection results.

Areas of Expertise

• Leadership and administration of small and border-area schools

• Strategic planning and educational organisation development

• Innovation in school administration

• Internal supervision and teacher professional development

• Active Learning and competency-based education

• Application of data and artificial intelligence in education

• Integration of the Sustainable Development Goals into school practices

• International educational cooperation and network development

• English-language development and global citizenship education

• Moral, ethical, and Buddhist educational activities

• Volunteer and community-based project management

Leadership Commitment

“I believe that the size or location of a school should never limit a child’s educational opportunities. Students in small and border-area schools deserve equal access to meaningful learning, modern technology, and global connections. The responsibility of a school leader is therefore not merely to administer a school, but to build effective systems, develop people, and create opportunities that enable every student to become a capable citizen of Thailand and the world.”

Mr. Wichai Nontakan (Director Jason)
School Director, Ban Khlong Manao School
Sa Kaeo Primary Educational Service Area Office 2, Thailand