Lessons in culture for students and teacher

Not every elementary student can take a free course in Korean dance or participate in an afternoon of martial arts.

However, for the past three months, students in the Greenbrier School District have had those opportunities through the arrival of Sook Hyun Kim, a foreign exchange student from South Korea.

As a junior at Seoul Women's University, Kim said she jumped at the chance to experience life in the United States as an elementary school student-teacher.

"Everything is just awesome, and I didn't realize the different experiences students get to have here," Kim said Friday. "Everyone is so nice and they have taught me so much."

Through a program called the International Internship Program, Kim, who is going by the American name Sofia, began her studies at Westside Elementary School. Kim has served as an aide in music and art classes, but she was also given the opportunity to teach her own class on Korean culture.

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"I want the students here to learn about different cultures and do different activities to see what it's like in Korea," Kim said.

These activities are designed for students from kindergarten through fifth-grade and include presentations in everything from traditional dances and Korean dress to origami and other art forms.

Although Kim is studying English literature in Korea, she said she hopes to become an elementary teacher upon graduation.

"I have heard the saying that teaching is learning twice and I believe that," Kim said. "Even as a teacher here, I am still learning every day."

Peggy Squires, principal at Westside Elementary, said the same can be said about the students in her school, too. She said the kids instantly connected with Kim and have learned about more than just the content materials in her classroom.

"Especially in Greenbrier, there is not a lot of diversity in these students' lives," Squires said. "So interaction with her just teaches these students acceptance of someone who is obviously different."

Squires added Kim not only fit in quickly with the students, but with the faculty, as well.

Although Kim's stay in Greenbrier has turned out to be a positive experience for all involved, Squires said she was a bit apprehensive when the program randomly chose Greenbrier as a destination.

"After they sent a few letters, they sent me a volume of credentials including schools that had already hosted a student, so I talked to a principal in New York and I talked to a principal in Texas," Squires said. "It all just sounded too good to be true, so I am so happy that it all worked out."

As Kim's stay in Greenbrier is for college credit in Korea, the only responsibility that rested with the district was finding her a home.

Luckily, Squires quickly found two.

"There are two families in town who have adopted children, from both Korea and Japan, I believe, and they were very interested in having her spend time with their families," Squires said.

For the first few months of her stay, Kim lived with Julie and Alan Finley. She now lives with Tina and Guy Lindgren and will stay with them until she returns to Korea next February to begin her senior year.

"It's different here because I don't have any younger sisters or brothers in Korea, but I like it because I will continue to teach my culture classes even throughout the summer," Kim said. "I think being with the younger children at school and at home is going to help me become a good teacher."

(Staff writer Jessica Bauer can be reached by e-mail at jessica.bauer@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1236. To comment on this and other stories in the Log Cabin, log on to www.thecabin.net. Send us your news at www.thecabin.net/submit)