From One of Moreland’s Earliest Cohorts to Head of School in Singapore
Published: | by Erin Martin
More than 25 years ago, Darryl Harding thought he had his future mapped out.
After earning his bachelor’s degree in Canada, he planned to spend a short time teaching overseas, save some money, and return home to pursue graduate studies in technology. Education wasn’t part of the long-term plan. Teaching abroad simply seemed like a practical way to gain experience while avoiding additional student loans.
What he didn’t realize at the time was that a temporary opportunity would become the foundation for an entirely different future.
Today, Harding serves as Head of School at the International Community School in Singapore. His career has taken him across multiple countries, through classrooms and leadership roles, and into one of the earliest cohorts of Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program. He later continued his studies through Moreland’s M.Ed. Add-On program, earning an M.Ed. in Globalization in Education as he prepared for increasingly complex leadership roles in international schools.
Looking back, it’s clear the path wasn’t something he carefully designed from the beginning. It unfolded through a series of opportunities, relationships, and decisions that gradually reshaped what he imagined for himself.
A Temporary Plan That Changed Everything
When Harding first came across an advertisement to teach English in South Korea, his goals were straightforward: Spend a few years overseas, earn money for graduate school, and return to Canada with valuable life experience.
Instead, life had other plans.
“To cut a long story short, I actually met my wife there,” he shared. “We got married toward the end of my second year there. And then, yeah, the rest is history, so to speak.”
As his personal life evolved, so did his professional interests. What began as teaching English led to opportunities in mathematics and science classrooms, areas that aligned with his academic background. The more time he spent working with students, the more he found himself drawn to education.
The experience that was meant to help fund his future gradually became the future itself.
Growing Into Leadership
The longer Harding remained in education, the more his role began to evolve. He found himself supporting colleagues, helping schools navigate challenges, and contributing to conversations about teaching and learning.
Leadership wasn’t something he initially pursued, but he found himself increasingly interested in the bigger picture of how schools operate and how educators can support one another.
One opportunity led to another.
Over the years, Harding served as a coordinator, assistant principal, principal, and eventually head of school. That journey has also given him a unique perspective on professional growth and the value of continuing to learn.
Balancing Work, Family, and Professional Growth
Part of what prepared Harding for leadership roles was his commitment to continued learning, even during some of the busiest years of his career.
“Working full-time, coaching varsity soccer, two children under the age of five,” he said with a laugh. “Yeah, it was a challenge.”
In 2015, Harding came across TEACH-NOW through a simple web search and enrolled in one of the program’s first five cohorts.
The program’s flexibility allowed him to continue growing professionally while managing the responsibilities of work and family life. After earning his certification, he chose to continue his studies through Moreland’s M.Ed. Add-On program, specializing in Globalization in Education.
“I was grateful for the ability to be able to only have to meet online on a Sunday,” he said. “Kids got to bed and I could do that.”
Choosing a Degree That Matters
Ask Harding what he tells educators who are considering a master’s degree, and his answer has little to do with salary schedules or resume building. Instead, he encourages teachers to pursue an area of study that genuinely interests them and supports the work they hope to do in schools.
“I would tell them to get it and do it in an area that they’re passionate about, and that’s going to have an impact on their teaching and learning practices,” Harding explained.
Conversations about certification and graduate education still come up regularly in Harding’s work. When those discussions happen, Moreland is often among the programs he recommends.
“It’s a program that you can balance, right? So, you can teach full-time and do it,” Harding shared.
He also values the collaborative aspects of the experience, particularly the opportunity to learn alongside a cohort and engage with instructors throughout the program.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
As you consider your career, remember that the right professional development can transform not just your career, but your impact on students and communities worldwide. Moreland University’s flexible online programs are designed to help you take that next step, no matter where you are in your educational journey.
Explore Moreland’s TEACH-NOW and online master’s degree programs to find the next step in your educational career.
