2023-2024 Upper School Teachers & Staff
Lisa Maren Thompson. 리사 마렌 톰슨
Upper School Principal
International Baccalaureate (IB) Coordinator
lthompson@sejongacademy.org
Ms. Thompson (she/her/hers) holds a BA Fine Arts from St. Olaf College, a Masters of Arts in Teaching from the University of St. Thomas, the Certificate of Advanced Education Leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education, and the Specialist in Educational Leadership degree (EdS) with Minnesota K-12 Principal license. She has lived in the US, Thailand, Mauritania, Gabon, South Korea, Ghana, and Switzerland, and has participated in International Baccalaureate training events and conferences in Princeton, Vancouver, Florence, The Hague, Accra, Les Tapies, Vienna, and Minneapolis. Ms. Thompson enjoys spending time with her husband Andy, their two adult sons, and keeping in touch with friends here in Minnesota, and all around the world.
Kate Brogan
Upper School Counselor
kbrogan@sejongacademy.org
Mrs. Brogan graduated with her master’s degree in school counseling in May of 2022 from the University of Wisconsin River Falls and was thrilled to start as the Lower School Counselor at Sejong shortly after. She grew up in Saint Paul and went to college at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. After she graduated, she moved back to Saint Paul and has been here since. This August she got married and her new last name is Brogan-Brown but students still know her as Mrs. Brogan! She loves reading, coffee, and spending time with her loved ones.
Language Acquisition: Korean
Min Soo Son
Korean Language Arts Teacher / Business and Law
msson@sejongacademy.org
Min Soo Son (Mr. Son) graduated from the Kyungpook National University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Jeju National University Law School with a Juris Doctor. During the completion of these courses, he completed training to use the Korean language professionally. Also, he earned a Master of Laws at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Law school. He is the Upper School Korean Teacher here at Sejong Academy and is planning to provide legal education and seminars to students. He lives in St. Paul with his wife and one son. When he is not at school, he enjoys camping outside with his family.
Yejin Hong. 홍예진
Korean Language Arts Teacher / Media and Communication
yhong@sejongacademy.org
Ms. Hong was born and raised in Seoul, Korea. She studied journalism and mass communication at Sogang University. She worked for an online news company, Korea Culture & Tourism Institute, and an international non-profit organization. She earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota. She taught at Saint John’s University and College of Saint Benedict. Until recently, she wrote global media columns in a Korean industry magazine -Newspaper and Broadcasting, published by the Korea Press Foundation. She loves to read novels and write essays. She lives in Woodbury with her husband, two daughters, and a 14 year-old beagle.
Lauren Frommelt. 로렌 프로멜트
Korean Language Arts Teacher
lfrommelt@sejongacademy.org
Lauren Frommelt (Ms. Frommelt/Ms. Lauren) graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies with a focus in Korean language, history and literature. Before studying Korean at the U of MN, she self-studied for her last two years of high school. She has visited South Korea twice so far and hopes to go again soon! She is a huge animal person and has three cats, one dog, two snakes and lots of fish, with plans to add more furry and scaly friends to her home zoo. She also loves everything to do with performing arts. In her high school years, she attended Perpich Center for Arts Education in the theater track, and performed in many plays, musicals, and other performances. She studied for two years in Long Island, New York at Hofstra University taking drama and arts leadership classes and completing general courses in the heart of the busy New York atmosphere. She then transferred to the University of Minnesota to pursue her dream program, Korean!
Mathematics
Eunyoung Emily Choi. 최은영
Math Teacher. PreAlgebra, Algebra1, Algebra2 & Science Teacher. Grade 8 Physics, Grade 10 Biology
eychoi@sejongacademy.org
Ms. Emily Choi was born and raised in Incheon, Korea. She started studying Radiologic Science in Korea, and then moved to Georgia, U.S. to study English. She eventually moved to Minnesota and changed her major to Biomedical Science at St. Cloud State University and earned her degree. She likes animals and she loves crafting in her free time.
Han Joon Kim
Math Teacher
hkim@sejongacademy.org
Mr. Kim was born and raised in Seoul, Korea. He had more than ten years of education in the United States, including elementary, secondary, undergraduate, and graduate schools. He received his Bachelor's in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania, an MBA from Indiana University, and a Master's in Secondary Education and Teaching from the University of St. Thomas. His ongoing interest is in effective global math education in the 21st century. He is a lifelong learner with a belief in each student's continuous improvement through meaningful connections. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he moved from Seoul to Minnesota. He lives in Eden Prairie with his wife, two daughters, relatives, and friends. He enjoys spending time at church, home, and school.
Individuals & Societies: Social Studies, Human Geography, and Macroeconomics
William Way
Social Studies Teacher. Grade 8, Human Geography, Macroeconomics, and Global Leadership
wway@sejongacademy.org
Mr. Way grew up in Orono, Minnesota and graduated from North Central University in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in 5-12 secondary social studies. He enjoys spending time with his wife, going to a variety of concerts, cheering on the Minnesota Vikings and Timberwolves, and traveling. He is excited to teach geography and global leadership this year!
Kyle Mohs
Social Studies Teacher. Grade 7, US History and Government
kmohs@sejongacademy.org
Mr. Mohs was born and raised in the Fargo-Moorhead area, and has been a lifelong enjoyer of Social Studies, with sporadic interest’s across a wide range of other fields . He went to college at the University of Minnesota Duluth where he received a degree in Teaching Social Studies, with an emphasis in political science. After graduating he returned to Moorhead where he worked for the school district as a substitute, and eventually accepted a job at the new Alternative Learning Center in a long term position before applying to Sejong Academy and moving to St. Paul after he accepted the position here. He teaches 7th Grade Individuals and Society, 10th Grade US History, 11th Grade World History, and 12th Grade Government.
Arts: Music
Ji Whi Eo. 어지휘
Music Teacher
jweo@sejongacademy.org
Ms. Eo was born and raised in South Korea. She holds a BM in music composition and her master’s in music education from Chung-Ang University. She is a licensed teacher and holds certifications in Kodaly method from Kodaly institute in Hungary and performance method of Korean traditional music from Ewha Women’s University, Korea. In Korea, she led music programs in public and private schools where she taught general music, Korean traditional instruments and lead orchestra program. She is a passionate music teacher and cares for each student's individual learning and development of social and cultural awareness through participating in music programs at Sejong Academy. As a freelancer, she is also piano accompanist at Galilee Lutheran Church, St. Paul and has a home studio.
Language & Literature: English Language Arts
Sarah T. Olson.
English Language Arts Teacher.
solson@sejongacademy.org
Ms. Sarah Olson was born and raised in Eagan, Minnesota. She received her bachelor's degree in English from Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. Sarah worked in the corporate world for a few years before discovering her love of teaching, and has since enrolled at Hamline University for a teaching license in Communication Arts and Literature and a master's degree in Teaching. She is so very excited to continue her teaching journey at Sejong Academy, where she is teaching Language and Literature to grades 10-12. In her free time, Sarah enjoys good food, spending time with her family and dog, and consuming all the media she can.
Anna Taddei
English Language Arts Teacher.
ataddei@sejongacademy.org
Ms. Taddei moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, from Santa Rosa, California and has been teaching Language and Literature in an IB Immersion school for the last 7 years, working both with MYP and in DP. She is very excited to begin her first year here at Sejong Academy working with grades 7-9 in Language and Literature. Ms. Taddei has a love for lifelong learning, and has a bachelor's degree in English and Secondary Education, and is currently studying in a Masters program for Digital Education. She lives in the Hamline/Midway with her husband and very old cat, and she always loves getting recommendations for books and shows!
Design
You Wha kim
Design Teacher
ykim@sejongacademy.org
Ms. Youwha was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea until she moved to New York where she earned B.F.A Degree in Interior design from Pratt Institute and professional experience. While living in a multicultural city, Ms. Youwha was fascinated by diverse languages, cultural interactions, and how they help broaden one's perspective and creativity beyond their origin. In addition to 5-years of combined professional experience as a furniture designer in NY and Seoul, this is Youwha second year teaching design to uppers school students at Sejong Academy. Outside of school, Youwha enjoys traveling, D.I.Ying and cooking with her husband and a Bedlington terrier named Tobie.
Sciences: Integrated Science & Chemistry
Sa Jin Kwok. 곽사진
Race Equity Coordinator, Science Teacher - Grade 7, Earth and Global Citizen Science; Asian American Studies
sjkwok@sejongacademy.org
Kwok Sa Jin is an Amerasian educator, activist, and scholar. He graduated from Grinnell College with a BA in East Asian Studies, and finished his master’s coursework in Sociology at Songgonghoe University before coming to Sejong Academy. He spent 12 years of his life in South Korea, fighting for the human rights of trafficked women and Amerasians outside of US military bases while also competing professionally as a mixed martial artist. Mr. Kwok is a co-founder of Asian Youth Outreach, a Saint Paul based organization devoted to breaking destructive cycles of poverty, violence, substance abuse, and hopelessness in Asian American Youth. Mr. Kwok provides trauma-informed, culturally-relevant teaching to promote healthy identity development and empower students to positively transform their communities. He lives near Bde Mka Ska with his wife, two children, and cat. During his free time, he enjoys ghost stories, cooking, and forest runs.
Hoonseok Oh. 오훈석
Science Teacher. Physical Science, Chemistry & Physics
Personal Project Coordinator
hoh1@sejongacademy.org
Mr. Oh spent 5 years of his childhood in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan and moved back to South Korea at the age of 10. He studied science education in his undergraduate courses and learned physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, and instructional methods in science. He spent 2 years doing research during undergrad studies. He made two sky-blue phosphorescent iridium compounds and successfully received publication of his research paper in Bulletin of the KCS (Korean Chemical Society), which is one of SCI (Science Citation Index) in Korea. His paper can be found here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bkcs.11334. He was a soldier in the Republic of Korea Army and rose to a sergeant by the end of his military service. He worked in a public middle school in South Korea as a homeroom teacher and science teacher. He designed a lot of experiments to help his students understand scientific concepts. He likes to collaborate with his students and encourage them to share their thoughts.
Library
Karen Hong. 전은혜
Librarian & Reading Corps Coach
khong@sejongacademy.org
Born and raised in the Chicagoland area, Mrs. Hong is a second generation Korean-American. She graduated from DePaul University with a Bachelor's of Science in Business and focused in management information systems and marketing. She’s taught Sunday school for over ten years. She started sending her children to Sejong since the school first opened its’ doors in 2014 and has been an active member of the PTO ever since. Mrs. Hong hopes to instill a growth mindset in children where they do not fear challenges or mistakes, but rather are motivated by them and desire to learn more. She currently lives just outside of St. Paul with her husband and 3 children.
Physical & Health
Waihon Liew
Physical & Health Educator
wliew@sejongacademy.org
Mr. Liew was born and raised in Malaysia. He came to the United States as an international student studying Human Resource Management at Winona State University, Minnesota. Prior to working in the K-12 education system, he worked in a bank in Malaysia for 3.5 years and as a university instructor for 10 years. Mr. Liew started working in a public school in St Paul as a head coach for badminton and substitute teacher in 2015. He coached his first school to the state tournament for 3 consecutive years (2016-2018). Mr. Liew joined Sejong Academy as a substitute teacher in December 2016. He continued his education at Winona State to obtain his masters in education leadership in 2020. Mr. Liew also competed at the national intercollegiate level in the long jump and sprints at Winona State and was a former Malaysia long jumper representing his country twice. He was the Minnesota state long & triple jump champion for 3 consecutive years (2017-2020) in his age group and 2 times bronze medalist in the triple jump at the USA Masters Track & Field. Mr. Liew is a mentor to preservice PE teachers under the Physical and Health Education of Canada. Mr. Liew is also a certified personal trainer and a brand ambassador for Whirlyboard and Buddy Lee Jump Ropes. He and his wife Donna enjoy cross-cultural experiences such as ethnic food, festivals, mentoring new immigrants and traveling. He has 3 children and frequently visits his native country.
Learning Diversity: Special Education
Heasook Shin. 신해숙
Special Education Teacher & Program Lead
hshin@sejongacademy.org
Ms. Shin was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. She graduated from Korea University, majoring in Korean Language and Literature Education. Mrs. Shin received her secondary school teaching license and taught Korean language arts and literature in middle schools for 5 years. She also led a Korean Traditional Music club and taught Korean Drumming. For two years, Mrs. Shin was on special duty helping students with reading disabilities. With this experience, she became interested in teaching students with learning difficulties. After moving to U.S, she earned her M.Ed. from Ohio State University and her Ohio state Special Education teaching license under Mild to Moderate disability. Mrs. Shin has a passion and interest in teaching and helping students with learning difficulties, as well as teaching Korean language and culture.
Jaewho Ko. 고재후
Special Education Teacher/Upper School SPED Coordinator/Upper School MTSS Coordinator
jwko@sejongacademy.org
Ms. Ko moved from Incheon, South Korea to Minnesota in 2013. She has M.S. in Special Education from St. Cloud State University and also M.Ed in Leadership in Education from University of Minnesota Twin Cities. She holds academic behavioral strategist (ABS), emotional behavioral disorders (EBD) licences and is currently working on her PK-12 administrative license. She has been a cultural ambassador since college and has worked with students from all over the world. She also worked as a field experience supervisor for pre-service teachers. Since then, she has developed her passion for professional development. She is a fierce advocate of providing an equitable learning environment and experience to every learner. Her goal is to ensure learners to step out of their comfort zones to achieve intellectual, social, and emotional growth. She is also passionate about nurturing competent leadership in women of color and professional learning for educators.
Hye Yun Lee. 이혜윤
Special Education Teacher
hylee@sejongacademy.org
Ms. Lee was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. In Korea she worked for 3 years as a head teacher at elementary school English Program in Seoul. Prior to that she spent 5 years working at an English hagwon as a team coordinator and teacher. Ms Lee has BA in English Literature from Sung Shin Women’s University and earned her TESOL certificate from Sungkyunkwan University in joint partnership with Georgetown University. She enjoys taking her Jindo out for walks at local parks and lakes around the metro area along with traveling.
Hser Ku Poe
Special Education Assistant / Cultural Liaison
hpoe@sejongacademy.org
Ms. Hser Ku Poe was born in Thailand and raised in the refugee camp which was located at the border between Thailand and Myanmar(Burma). She came to United States in 2008 and lived in the states for around 15 years now. She graduated at Saint Cloud State University with a B.A. degree in Global Studies. She loves traveling and exploring different cultures. This is her first year working at Sejong Academy and she is excited to start her first year working at the school.
Multilingualism: English Language Learning
Noelle Roubinek. 노엘 루벤엑
English Language Learner Teacher, Grades 7-12
nroubinek@sejongacademy.org
Ms. Roubinek is starting her 5th year teaching EL at Sejong Academy and she is beyond excited to see what her students can achieve. She has a master’s degree in TESOL as well as one in Korean Studies. She is also a licensed reading teacher. A lifelong student, she is a second year PhD student in Literacy Education at the University of Minnesota. She loves experiencing different cultures, spending time with her cats, and walking around the lakes in the Twin Cities.
Pamela Her. 팸엘라 허
English Language Learner Teacher
pher@sejongacademy.org
Ms. Pam was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, and graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a B.A. on Journalism. She served as a Reading Corps Tutor for two years and has been a part of the Sejong Family since Fall 2021. She looks forward to working with her colleagues and is very passionate about working with students to develop and improve their English reading and writing skills. In her free time, Ms. Pam likes to stargaze, karaoke, go on walk/hikes, and spend time with her niece and her cat, Miso (味噌).
Katie Mahowald.
English Language Learner Teacher / English Teacher Grades 7 & 8
kmahowald@sejongacademy.org
Katie Mahowald is a first year EL teacher at Sejong Academy. She received her B.A. from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities in Linguistics with a double minor in East Asian Studies with a focus in Korean language and TESL. She was raised in Texas, but lived most of her life in Northern Virginia. She just came back from a trip to South Korea through the University program last year and has studied the Korean language for two years now and hopes to keep learning while working at Sejong. She loves learning new languages and cultures all while cultivating her own Korean culture, playing volleyball, gaming and loves to try different ethnic foods from around the world.
Alternative Delivery of Specialized Instructional Services (ADSIS)
Suhyun Na
ADSIS Reading Intervention Teacher
sna@sejongacademy.org
Ms. Na was born and raised in Korea. She studied special education at Ewha Womans University of Korea at BA, MA, and Doctorate level. Before moving to the US, she worked as a special education teacher in an elementary school and community welfare center(ECFE). Also, she taught at colleges for seven years and carried out lots of research. It has broadened and deepened her knowledge and experience. Her years of experience in the special education field have taught her the value of patience and encouragement. She worked at Primrose School of West Plymouth this spring and really loved watching each child learn and grow everyday. Since 2016, she has taught Korean language and Samulnori(Korean drumming) in Minnesota Deagun Korean School as well. She will work closely with each student, providing the individualized support they need as an ADSIS reading teacher at Sejong.
Haekyong Kim
ADSIS Math Teacher Grade 3-11
hyongkim@sejongacademy.org
Mrs. Kim was born and raised in Yeosu, South Korea and she earned a bachelor degree in Sino-Korean as well as her teaching certification in Daejeon, South Korea. She has been in education since 1994 in both South Korea and in Minnesota. She came to MN in 2011 and worked as a SPED E.A for 9 years. It is her second year working as an ADSIS Math teacher at Sejong this year. She has been married for 20 years and has 2 daughters and a small Yorkie. She loves spending time walking or hiking around local parks and loves doing Wordle and spelling bees everyday.
Deanna Ginter
School Social Worker
dginter@sejongacademy.org
Ms. Deanna is a second generation Cambodian American born and raised in the Twin Cities. After finishing her undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of St. Thomas, she moved to Washington state where she lived for 6 years. After returning in 2021 to be closer to family, Ms. Deanna completed her Masters of Social Work degree in 2023. She has been working in the social services and mental health professions since 2015. Her goal as a school social worker is to provide a safe, judgement free environment for students to process their emotions. Ms. Deanna loves connecting with families to provide access to community resources. She enjoys going for walks, spending time with family and friends, cooking, and doing a variety of activities outside.