"Standing by Students Until the End"... Heartwarming Stories of Teachers in Ulsan's Education Field

Introducing Heartwarming Stories of True Educators
by the Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education
in Celebration of Teachers' Day

The Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education introduced heartwarming stories highlighting true educators in the field in celebration of the 44th Teachers' Day.

Stories of teachers who quietly stood by their students?such as counselors who embraced at-risk students, creators of customized character education content for special education, and principals who foster communication within the educational community?are delivering a gentle sense of inspiration.

Lee Euikyung, a teacher at Daun High School in Jung-gu with 18 years of teaching experience, has been making a warm impact on the Ulsan education community through "relationship-centered education" for at-risk youth. In 2022, while serving as a homeroom teacher at a middle school, Lee discovered a student's message indicating self-harm. Starting with the question, "What is your wish list (bucket list)?", Lee initiated group counseling sessions.

As students shared small dreams such as "eating conveyor belt sushi" and "watching fireworks," they naturally began to support one another. This not only helped prevent self-harm but also led to the restoration of the community. This activity continues today in various forms.

In a year when the school festival was at risk of being canceled due to COVID-19, Lee planned a non-face-to-face YouTube broadcast called "Visible Radio," creating a festival in which all students could participate through real-time chat. Lee also takes the lead in narrowing the distance with students via social media.

Lee is remembered as an "adult friend" who genuinely intervenes in students' lives, such as accompanying at-risk students to the gym or visiting their part-time workplaces to offer practical help.

One former student, now appointed as a Korean language teacher at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, left the message, "I want to become a teacher like you." After losing her older sister, the late Lee Kyeongeon, who was a vice principal, last year, Lee has been putting into practice her resolve to "become a greater teacher" in the educational field.

Choi Heejin, a teacher at Ulsan Happy School in Ulju-gun with 15 years of experience, made a significant impact with customized character education video content for students in special education.

The videos are designed to help students practice emotional regulation and self-management in their daily routines, such as during class and lunch. With careful editing that takes into account students' developmental stages and sensory sensitivities?including subtitles, sound, and scene transitions?fellow teachers also appeared as actors to enhance the educational effect.

After watching the videos, students began to initiate conversations with friends and express gratitude, leading to real behavioral changes in daily life. This process fostered a culture of collaboration, with fellow teachers and social service agents participating together.

Choi stated, "True character education goes beyond simply delivering knowledge; it is about enabling our students to 'feel and practice' what they learn."

Choi Eunho, principal of Yeompo Elementary School in Buk-gu with 31 years of teaching experience, is a leading educator who champions a "student-centered" and "communication-centered" school culture.

Yeompo Elementary has institutionalized regular conversations with students through the "Principal's Lounge." Based on surveys collected in advance, the school has implemented students' requests, resulting in tangible changes such as installing bidets in restrooms, putting up clocks on playgrounds, and improving the school gate.

During lunch, it is common to see the principal playing soccer with children on the playground or teaching them plant names while walking through the school garden. Students respond positively, saying, "The principal remembers all our names and plays with us."

Communication with staff is also noteworthy. The principal provides new teachers with advice on classes and career paths, and offers snacks and coffee to comfort teachers who are struggling, fostering a school culture where all members feel respected.

Through councils such as "Sodamsodam" and "Meeting," Yeompo Elementary practices a "participatory school management philosophy" that incorporates the opinions of parents, teachers, and students in school operations. The school has truly established itself as an educational community created by everyone together.

Ulsan Superintendent Cheon Changsoo said, "The miracle of education created by each student and each teacher is becoming a reality throughout Ulsan," and added, "We will continue to support the dedication of teachers in the field and actively promote a culture in which teachers are respected."