John Ritter joined Search Associates in 2006 following a career as a teacher and administrator in international schools.

John taught English and social studies in California, El Salvador and Nepal. He then served as the head of school at Lincoln School, Nepal; the International School of Beijing, China; the International School of Amsterdam, The Netherlands; the American International School of Lusaka, Zambia; and Vientiane International School, Laos, as well as serving as the middle school principal at Robert College of Istanbul, Turkey.

As a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA), the East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS); the Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools (NESA), John was able to deepen his understanding of a wider range of international schools.  He also has served as a Visiting Practitioner at the Principals Center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In 1997, he was designated an overseas "National Distinguished Principal" by the US Department of Education and the National Association of Elementary School Principals.

John completed a B.A. in political science at Claremont Men's [McKenna] College in California as well as and post-graduate studies at Claremont Graduate School (M.A. in Government), Michigan State University (Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction) and Washington State University (Superintendent's Certificate).

Since joining Search Associates, John and his wife Susan have been advising many Search candidates for teaching and administrative positions at international schools. As a Senior Associate at Search, John has also been consulting at international schools and conferences in Asia, Africa and the Middle East in the areas of governance and strategic planning. John and Susan now live in Bangkok.