Kim Kyungmi of Dasan Elementary in Goryeong Selected as Gyeongbuk Office of Education’s First "Master of Teaching"

Certification Results for Early Childhood and Elementary School Teaching Experts

The Gyeongbuk Office of Education (Superintendent Lim Jong-sik) announced on December 26, 2025, the results of the 2025 certification for early childhood and elementary school teaching experts, stating that its policies to systematically support the professional growth of teachers are yielding meaningful outcomes in schools.

Since 2015, the Gyeongbuk Office of Education has implemented a policy to foster teaching experts by scientifically and comprehensively assessing and supporting teachers’ instructional expertise. The core of this policy is a step-by-step model-progressing from Lesson Study Teacher to Leading Teacher to Master of Teaching-that helps teachers expand their expertise around classroom instruction and feed their achievements back into the school environment.

Teacher Kim Kyungmi of Dasan Elementary School in Goryeong, selected as the first "Master of Teaching" by the Gyeongbuk Office of Education, conducting a class.

This year, 640 early childhood and elementary school teachers voluntarily participated in the certification process, with 511 obtaining certification, an increase of 124 compared to the previous year. This demonstrates a clear and growing enthusiasm and participation among teachers in Gyeongbuk’s schools to enhance instructional expertise.

Notably, this year saw Kim Kyungmi, a teacher at Dasan Elementary School in Goryeong, become the first to be selected as a Master of Teaching. The Master of Teaching is the highest level in the teaching expert certification system and is awarded only to teachers who demonstrate the highest level of competency in systematic and creative lesson design, student-centered instruction, effective assessment feedback, and contributions to sharing teaching practices. Selection is made unanimously by the evaluation committee after two rigorous research lessons and regular class evaluations.

The selected teachers will, starting next year, engage in activities such as public lessons and mentoring local teachers, sharing their expertise. The Gyeongbuk Office of Education plans to leverage this as a driving force for instructional innovation in the region.

For the Lesson Study Teacher certification, 47 kindergarten and 444 elementary school teachers applied, with 45 and 413 respectively obtaining certification. The high certification rate at this stage, which evaluates the entire process from lesson planning to implementation and reflection, reflects teachers’ ongoing efforts and commitment to foundational instructional expertise.

The Leading Teacher certification, which requires higher levels of expertise and leadership, saw participation from 4 kindergarten and 128 elementary school teachers, with 1 kindergarten and 51 elementary school teachers obtaining certification. Leading Teachers are expected to demonstrate not only research-based lesson design skills but also the ability to share and model innovative teaching practices at the school and community levels, taking a leading role in shaping instructional culture.

The Gyeongbuk Office of Education plans to strengthen its support system by expanding training programs and professional learning communities to ensure the continued growth of certified teachers. In addition, 49 early childhood and elementary teachers who did not achieve certification this time but demonstrated sincere participation and a strong commitment to growth will be recognized with commendations to encourage their efforts.

Superintendent Lim Jong-sik stated, "Teaching is the essence of education and the core of school transformation," adding, "These certification results are a meaningful achievement that demonstrates how Gyeongbuk’s teachers have continuously honed their instructional expertise for student growth."

He went on to say, "I extend my gratitude and congratulations to all teachers who achieved certification, including the first Master of Teaching, and I will continue to steadfastly pursue instructional innovation centered on classroom teaching."