About The Author
About The Author
Hey, I’m Albert J. Thomas
Albert Jon Thomas II is a disabled Vietnam veteran whose health was affected by Agent Orange. During the Vietnam War, he served in ordnance and endured the TET Offensive. Beyond his military service, Albert has built a remarkable life shaped by cultural exploration and education.
With over 15 years of experience teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) across Europe and South America—primarily in Poland—Albert was honored as the best TESL teacher in the country. His passion for teaching reflects his deep commitment to cross-cultural understanding.
Albert was born and raised in the coal mining town of Filbert, Pennsylvania, where he grew up alongside his four siblings. His father, a coal miner, tragically lost his life in a mining accident in 1964. These early experiences of hardship and resilience would go on to shape much of Albert’s outlook on life.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University, with minors in political science and TESL, and later achieved a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. Today, Albert is married to Kitti Roic from Split, Croatia, and together they share four children.
Outside of academics, Albert is a man of many passions—he enjoys fishing, creating pastel art, and caring for his six cats. In 1966, he became the Bantam Weight Boxing Champion of West Virginia and Pennsylvania and later competed in the AAU National Championship in Kansas City, Missouri.
Known for his forgiving spirit, resilience, and youthful energy, Albert continues to inspire through both his life story and his writing—showing that even in the face of hardship, recovery and renewal are always possible.