Suncheon Wangjicho Teacher Lee Eomji, 'Korea Mathematics Education Award'

"Designing Math and Problem-Solving Classes for All Students"

The Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education announced on the 26th that Lee Eomji, a teacher at Suncheon Wangji Elementary School, has been selected as a recipient of the '2024 Republic of Korea Mathematics Education Award.'

The 'Republic of Korea Mathematics Education Award' is presented by the Ministry of Education and organized by the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity. Since 2013, it has been awarded to educators who have contributed to the advancement of mathematics education. Since 2021, ten teachers from elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide have been selected each year without regard to region or school level. The provincial office has produced awardees for two consecutive years, following master teacher Bang Junsu last year.

Eomji Lee, a teacher at Suncheon Wangji Elementary School, was selected as the recipient of the 2024 Korea Mathematics Education Award. Photo by Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education

Teacher Lee Eomji has always pondered the question, "How do children learn mathematics?" and has strived to create classes where students of various levels can all participate. By analyzing students' problem-solving strategies and providing feedback during lessons, she has documented students' growth through mathematical discussions. She has especially focused on the learning of slower learners, believing it is important to design lessons that allow every student to learn well at their own pace.

Her classes go beyond simply exploring calculation principles and mastering vertical arithmetic, emphasizing the sharing of individual problem-solving strategies among students and connecting diverse mathematical ideas through group discussions. She stated, "Mathematics is not something given from outside, but a process of constructing concepts and principles from within," highlighting the importance of shifting from principle-focused to problem-solving-centered mathematics education.

Lee Eomji commented, "This honor is a precious achievement created together with my students," and added, "I am grateful to my fellow teachers who have shared in this journey of reflection and research. I will continue to do my best to ensure that mathematics becomes a tool for understanding the world and solving problems, beyond mere calculation."