Seongnam, South Korea 2018-Present

Elementary School Librarian 

I prioritize instilling a love of reading, deepening cultural awareness, and teaching essential library skills to over 400 students each 6-day rotation. I continually update our collection to be more inclusive and engaging, and I coordinate author visits with a particular focus on Korean-American authors to inspire and educate our students.

I also lead the elementary school learn-to-swim club and foster community spirit by organizing an annual Halloween event for faculty children.

8th grade English Teacher

In the 2022-23 school year, I created dynamic classroom environment centered around the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project (TCRWP) units. I taught language and literature through engaging activities using classic and contemporary texts aligned with TCRWP reading units. I also taught effective communication skills and nurtured their individual voices through TCRWP writing units, providing personalized feedback and engaging lessons.

Outside the classroom, I was an assistant coach for the middle school quiz team.

2018-2022 Middle and High School Librarian

From 2018 to 2022, I improved the library in several different ways. In the spring of 2019, I worked with the facilities team to redesign the library layout and introduced self-checkout. I also facilitated curbside book checkout and adopted Sora, an ebook platform. I collaborated with teachers to enrich students' reading lives and scaffold information literacy. Annually, I organized author visits, including a virtual session with Phil Bildner, author of A High Five for Glenn Burke.

I co-coordinated the Living Library, a middle school speaker conference, and worked with English teachers to select diverse books and facilitate book tastings. I emphasized literature reflecting various perspectives, particularly stories with Asian main characters. I also guided AP Seminar students with research projects.

Beyond my role as librarian, I advised the National Honor Society and served on the club mentor panel.

Memphis, Tennessee 2013-2018

Lower School Librarian

I served all lower school students (PreK-4th Grade) by promoting a love of reading and literature, facilitating library use, and working with teachers to create and implement assignments that utilize library resources while developing information literacy skills. I also started a One School, One Book family reading program for which all families were provided with a copy of the same novel with a reading schedule. Our shared reading of the novel culminated in a visit by the author.

Hawalli, Kuwait 2007-2010

Secondary Librarian

I made the library a more inviting, open place for student learning by teaching regular library lessons in the context of classroom research projects to help develop students’ critical thinking skills.

Grade 10 Honors English Teacher

As an English teacher, I taught world literature and English language and composition with a focus on writing and grammar. I worked closely with my teammates to develop units using Understanding by Design, and from these units, curriculum maps. My team met several times each week to plan lessons constructed around prioritizing student choice to drive interest, engagement, and creativity.

Outside the classroom, I served as MUN Coordinator.

Anderson, South Carolina 2005-2007

Grades 10 and 11 English Teacher

I taught major works of Western literature with a particular emphasis on social and moral implications and developed lessons conducive to discussion and the free exchange of ideas among students. I worked closely with teammates to craft lessons to encourage critical thinking and allow for student choice. I also served on the district-wide summer reading committee.

Kings Mountain, North Carolina 2004-2005

Grades 9 and 10 English Teacher 

I instructed students in literature to help students improve their writing, reading, speaking, thinking, and listening skills. I also worked closely with colleagues to align lessons with school curriculum and state standards.

Led by Dr. Leighanne Yuh, this two-day workshop delved into the history of education in Korea and its impact. We reflected on how the persistence of the “model minority” myth affects perceptions of educators, engaged in exercises to develop a more neutral approach to learning, and learned strategies to better align the academic expectations of teachers, students, and parents.

Four-week course through Eduro Learning facilitated by Darnell Fine and Renee Green, with a focus on the idea that "our community members bring diverse identities, lived experiences, and worldviews to our schools. We must ensure that our schools don’t erase but affirm who our community members are."