Mr. Fuang’s Tea Corner

(Picture of Mr Fuang’s tea corner in room B-511 taken by author)

The beginning of a new school year always brings a mix of emotions – excitement to reconnect with friends and nerves from new classes and people, as well as getting back into routine. For many students, it also means needing to find the balance between their schoolwork, extracurriculars, and personal time. Furthermore, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) – an assessed programme for students aged 16 to 19 – brings great demands. From challenging courses and heavy workloads to constant deadlines – these are all factors that can quickly pile on stress, depleting the students’ mental health.

Grade 11 Franziska L., a current student of the IBDP programme, said, “From what I’ve experienced, IBDP is an extremely packed course, and stress is a constant. I have to constantly remind myself to keep up this pace for the next two years.” With the constant pressure from the IBDP, finding small moments to pause and recharge has become key to staying motivated and avoiding burnout.

One simple but effective method of coping is drinking tea. According to Florida Atlantic University, a 2006 study focusing on the effects of tea on the body – specifically the psychological and physiological response to stress – found that consuming tea can significantly reduce cortisol levels, which reduces stress. Tea can also ease anxiety symptoms, lower depression rates, and improve cognitive function.

Grade 10 Maria N. reflected on this, saying, “I usually drink tea whenever I’m craving it, but mainly I drink it to relax or when I’m studying.”

While the school café does offer drinks, their options are limited, and many contain too much sugar or are limited to the seniors. Recently, however, a new alternative has appeared right in AISG. In Room B-511, IBDP Math Teacher Mario Fuang has set up a “tea corner”—a small, black table at the back of the classroom with a wooden box filled with various tea bags.

With that, the station consists of a large range of tea bags and is consistently restocked with new flavours and brands of tea for students to try out. With flavours ranging from black tea to herbal tea and green tea, there is something for everyone.

Franziska said, “I’m glad there’s a variety to choose from because I can’t really handle caffeine, and it’s nice to still have lots of available options for me to choose from.”

The purpose behind the tea corner reflects an understanding of the IBDP experience. As an IBDP teacher, Mr Fuang recognises the high stress levels and exhaustion students face. Being a tea enthusiast himself, he wanted to share something that could make their workload feel lighter.

Mr Fuang explained, “I thought maybe a little bit of tea could help students get through some of these difficult times and, in some way, share my passion but also help students feel not so stressed out.”

Maria agrees: “Yes, I think drinking tea at school would be beneficial because many teas are already made with herbs that can help you sleep and help you calm down, and black tea can also help you focus. I think it would be a great addition for students who enjoy tea and want more focus in class.

Additionally, the tea station is being funded entirely from MrFuang’s personal budget.

“It’s a small price to pay for a much bigger joy,” he said.

The tea corner isn’t a new initiative. At every school where he has taught, Mr. Fuang has introduced a tea corner. Each time, it has become a quiet tradition, offering students a sense of comfort and community. Now, AISG has joined that tradition, with the hope that it will continue to grow here as well.

Still, the tea corner comes with expectations. While everyone is welcome, it remains a privilege and not an entitlement. Mr. Fuang has made it clear that if the station is ever abused, it will be taken away

At its core, the tea corner represents more than just hot water and tea bags. It’s a teacher’s way of helping students through difficult times, encouraging focus, motivation, and balance. In the high-pressure environment of IBDP, sometimes the greatest relief can come in the simplest form—a warm cup of tea.