Jiwhi Eo 어지휘
Whole School Music Teacher, Korean Traditional Music Director
jweo@sejongacademy.org

Ms. Eo is a dedicated music educator committed to introducing both Western and traditional Korean music to new generations. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Composition and her master’s degree in Music Education from Chung-Ang University, and completed further studies through an advanced Masterclass in Traditional Korean Music as well as studying Kodály methods at the Kodály Institute in Budapest, Hungary. She has taught in middle schools in Korea, where she established orchestra programs, and for the past six years has served as a Music Teacher and Traditional Korean Music Coordinator at Sejong Academy.

Ms. Eo founded the school’s Samulnori ensemble, which has performed at major community events including the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, the University of Minnesota’s Multicultural Night, cultural festivals at Inver Hills Community College, and events at Eagan and Burnsville Public Schools.

Beyond teaching, Ms. Eo contributes to the community through workshops and traditional music programs with the Korean American Association and the Korean Adoptees Ministry Center in St. Paul.

Sebastian Montes
Whole School Art and Design Teacher, Art Competition Coordinator
smontes@sejongacademy.org

With an academic and professional background in both the visual arts and English, Mr. Montes enjoys sharing his individual experience and skill set with the diverse staff and students of Sejong Academy. After living and working in South Korea from 2015-2022, Mr. Montes feels Sejong is truly a perfect fit for him in his relatively new home of St. Paul, Minnesota, and has been a dedicated member of Sejong for over 4 years.

When not teaching Mr. Montes enjoys doing film photography, making music, gardening, grilling, and being a cat dad to his 2 feline companions.

Danielle Bass
Whole School Librarian
dbass@sejongacademy.org

Danielle Bass is a lifelong learner of language, literature, and culture and is pleased to model curiosity and wonder for Sejong Academy students as a licensed library media specialist. She holds a MN K-12 Library Media teaching license and a Master of Science degree in School Library Information Studies from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

During her undergraduate years, she earned a BA in Linguistics with a minor in Korean Language and Literature from the University of Minnesota. She spent seven years in South Korea teaching English and developing English language curricular materials with several publishing houses. After returning to the Twin Cities in 2015, she has worked in various public school districts as a Pre-K assistant, media and technology paraprofessional, and substitute teacher. She is overjoyed to teach Sejong Academy students to love language, literature, and develop information literacy skills critical to success in the 21st century.

Taipou Wu
Taekwondo Instructor, Athletic Director
@sejongacademy.org

Hello everyone, my name is Mr. Taipou Wu and I will be the Taekwondo Teacher here at Sejong Academy. I have been doing Taekwondo for over 15 years now and teaching for over 10 years now. I am a three time Minnesota State ATU Male Taekwondo Black Belt champion, two time Gwangju International Taekwondo Championships Male Black Belt Gold Medalist as well. Currently I have a 4th degree black belt and am working towards my 5th. Hope to have a good year with you all!

Christ Moo
Whole School Physical Health and Education Teacher

bio coming soon!

Jennifer Mercer
Lower School Counselor
jmercer@sejongacademy.org

bio coming soon!

Vanessa Tapias-Ressen
Upper School Counselor
vanessatapias-ressen@sejongacademy.org

Vanessa Tapias-Ressen (Ms. Vanessa) was born and raised in Minnesota and earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Biology from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 2020. She comes from a background in Mental Health (partnering with PrairieCare as an Educational Assistant and Summer School Teacher at their inpatient, outpatient, and residential sites) and Special Education (working as an ASD Teacher and Counselor in Setting IV learning environments). After spending time in these areas, Ms. Vanessa later pursued her Master of Science in School Counseling at Walden University in 2025. Her counseling techniques include being person-centered that utilizes an integrative holistic approach that focuses on the whole-person (mind, body, heart, and spirit) rather than focusing solely on the symptoms.

When Ms. Vanessa is not at Sejong Academy, she is spending time with her husband and two parrots at home or is out in nature, spending time hiking, foraging, camping, and fishing. Some fun facts about Ms. Vanessa includes her being a certified MN Wild Mushroom Harvester through the Department of Agriculture, a certified 200 hr Yoga Teacher, and a Master Naturalist through the University of Minnesota.

Irosh Gurung
School Social Worker
iroshgurung@sejongacademy.org

I am a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) who earned both my Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) from St. Cloud State University. As an immigrant to the United States, I bring a unique perspective shaped by resilience, cultural adaptation, and a commitment to serving diverse communities. 

Before entering the social work profession, I served in the Minnesota Army National Guard, including deployments to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. My military service strengthened my leadership, teamwork, adaptability, and ability to work effectively with people from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. 

Throughout my social work education and professional experiences, I have worked with immigrant and refugee populations, children and families, and individuals in need of supportive services. My experience includes assisting immigrants with citizenship and permanent residency applications, providing school-based mental health support, participating in multidisciplinary teams, and connecting individuals and families with community resources. 

I am passionate about advocacy, cultural humility, social justice, and empowering others to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. My personal journey as an immigrant, veteran, and social worker has shaped my commitment to helping individuals, families, and communities thrive through compassionate, strengths-based practice. 

Noah Larson
EL Teacher K-G2
nlarson@sejongacademy.org

A native to Minnesota, this will be Mr. Noah’s third year at Sejong Academy. Both years, Mr. Noah has had the pleasure of teaching in the Kindergarten classroom for 2 years.

Mr. Noah first started learning Korean at the University of Minnesota in 2020. He would go on to earn his Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies in 2022 and Master of Arts in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies in 2024. In addition to his degrees, Mr. Noah did a learning abroad experience at Korea University in Seoul, South Korea. 

Mr. Noah is a first hand example of a non-heritage learner in Korean. He is the first teacher to be nominated as Lower School Teacher of the Year for two consecutive years. In his free time, he enjoys exploring and reading.

Sacha Yang
EL Teacher G3-5, EL Co-Coordinator
syang@sejongacademy.org

Ms. Sacha holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Minnesota and earned her Master’s Degree in TESOL from Hamline University. Before coming to Sejong Academy, she taught English Language Learners from multicultural backgrounds ranging from children to adults. This is her 9th year at Sejong Academy and her 8th year as an EL teacher. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, visiting coffee shops, and cooking.

Aaron Beatty
EL Teacher K-G5
aaronbeatty@sejongacademy.org

bio coming soon!

Maggie Walsh
EL Teacher G6-8, EL Co-Coordinator
mwalsh@sejongacademy.org

Maggie Walsh is beginning her sixth year at Sejong Academy. She started her career at Sejong as an ADSIS Reading Teacher before teaching 5th and 6th grade, as well as 4th Grade English Language Arts, over the following three years. She is now entering her second year in the English Learner (EL) Department, where she supports students in grades 6–8.

Throughout her time at Sejong, Ms. Walsh has taken on a variety of leadership roles, including PLC Lead for two years and MTSS Coordinator during the 2024–2025 school year. She has also helped plan several student trips, including educational experiences in South Dakota, Long Lake, and South Korea. In recognition of her dedication to students and excellence in teaching, she was named Lower School Teacher of the Year for the 2023–2024 school year.

Ms. Walsh earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from University of St. Thomas in 2020 and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in TESOL at Hamline University.

Teaching is one of Ms. Walsh’s greatest passions, and she is deeply committed to supporting the academic, social, and personal growth of every student. She looks forward to helping students succeed and is excited to see all they accomplish throughout the school year.

Emilina Hwang
EL Teacher G9-12, IB MYP Coordinator
ehwang@sejongacademy.org

My name is Emilina Hwang and this will be my 2nd year teaching at Sejong Academy! Last year I taught 6-9th grade ELA, and this year I will be teaching Upper School ELL along with being Sejong Academy’s IB Personal Project Coordinator. I graduated from the University of Minnesota: Twin Cities with my Bachelor’s in Global Studies, and am currently finishing my Master’s in K-12 ESL at Hamline University. Outside of school I enjoy traveling, cooking, being outside (when it’s warm!), and spending time with my husband!

For me, language is not only what connects us as people, but it’s also an incredibly powerful tool for self-expression and critical thinking. The most rewarding part of my work is seeing students make connections and harness language to create works they’re proud of!

Seohyun Yoon
SPED Teacher, MTSS Coordinator
syoon@sejongacademy.org

Ms. Yoon brings a diverse background in education to her role. She began her career teaching English in middle and high schools in Korea before moving to Minnesota in 2019, where she earned a Master’s degree in Instructional Technology with a focus on special education. With her passion for ongoing professional growth, she also participated in the Heritage Language Cohort program hosted by PELSB, which led her to earning the very first Korean teaching license ever issued in the state. 

Her teaching experience in Minnesota includes working in a variety of special education settings, including Sejong Academy and District 833. She is now working toward an Education Specialist (Ed.S) degree in Director of Special Education. 

Ms. Yoon is passionate about creating inclusive and engaging learning environments, as she’s dedicated to supporting every student’s growth and success.

Hye Yun Lee
SPED Teacher, Transition Program Coordinator
hylee@sejongacademy.org

Ms. Hye Yun Lee was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. Before moving to the United States, she worked for eight years as a head teacher in an elementary school English language program and as a team coordinator at an English institute.

Mrs. Lee earned a Special Education license through the Learning Disabilities Association of Minnesota and a TESOL certificate from Sungkyunkwan University through a partnership program with Georgetown University. She is passionate about supporting students' academic growth and helping them build confidence as learners.

Outside of school, Mrs. Lee enjoys taking her dog on walks at local parks and lakes, as well as traveling and exploring new places.

Thi Da Myint
SPED Educational Assistant
thidamyint@sejongacademy.org

bio coming soon!

Karen Hong
SPED Educational Assistant
khong@sejongacademy.org

Ms. Karen Hong brings more than a decade of educational experience to Sejong Academy. Throughout her career, she has served in a variety of roles, including substitute teacher in St. Paul and Minneapolis schools, PTO President for three years, Library Media Specialist, and Reading Corps Internal Coach for seven years.

Sejong Academy holds a special place in Ms. Hong’s heart, as all three of her children have attended the school since it opened in 2014. Her long-standing connection to the community gives her a unique appreciation for the school's mission and culture.

Ms. Hong earned a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Special Education with a focus on Academic and Behavioral Strategies. She is passionate about helping students develop the skills and confidence they need to become lifelong learners.

Outside of school, Ms. Hong enjoys playing sports, taking on DIY projects, and exploring books and shows that inspire new ideas and deeper thinking. She strives to create a warm, inclusive learning environment where every student feels supported and encouraged to grow.

Ehblut Htoo
SPED Educational Assistant
ehbluthtoo@sejongacademy.org

My name is Ehblut Htoo. I moved to the United States from a refugee camp in Thailand in 2013 and graduated from Humboldt High School in 2020. I previously served as an after-school coordinator within the Karen community and continue to volunteer actively at my local church. Outside of my professional work, I enjoy hiking and walking with friends. I am also passionate about music—particularly the piano—and aspire to travel the world. I am guided by the belief that the most fulfilling path in life is to serve others and invest in things with a lasting impact.

Charitha Kudapanage
ADSIS Math Interventionist
ckudapanage@sejongacademy.org

Ms. Chari was born in Sri Lanka and moved to U.S. in 2012. She received Bachelor’s in Applied Mathematics and is pursuing a masters in Data Science. She has more than 5 years of academic experience working with elementary and secondary aged students. She lives in Woodbury, MN with her husband and two wonderful sons. Her hobby is to travel around the world with her family.

Jieun Becker-Kim
ADSIS Math Interventionist, G6 IB Math Co-Teacher

bio coming soon!

Ruth Brown
ADSIS Reading Interventionist

bio coming soon!

Dissel Moo
In-House Sub/Educational Assistant
dmoo@sejongacademy.org

Dissel Moo was born in a refugee camp in Thailand and came to the USA in 2012. Dissel recently graduated from the University of Minnesota with a major in Elementary Education, and this will be his second year of teaching. He has worked for several years as both a part-time and full-time education assistant and as a lower school PE teacher.

Dissel’s hobbies include playing pickleball, volleyball, running, soccer, and reading manhwa. He also loves traveling and photography, especially visiting national forests around the state. 

Dissel Moo was a former student of Sejong and is proud to return as a teacher for his second year.

Jiyeoun Jung 정지연
In-House Sub/ADSIS Math Educational Assistant
jjung@sejongacademy.org

Ms. Jung was born and raised as the youngest of 4 sisters in Seoul, South Korea. She graduated from the Nursing school in Yonsei University, where she met her husband and many lifetime friends. She moved to the US in 1998.

Before settling in Minnesota in 2010, Jiyeoun lived in Berkeley, California, and Newark, Delaware. She has 3 children. With her family, she enjoys many outdoor activities  such as camping, hiking, and kayaking. She loves having time with children and watching them grow physically, mentally, and socially, which truly inspires her.

Hanmin Kim 김한민
In-House Sub/ADSIS Reading Educational Assistant
hanminkim@sejongacademy.org

Hanmin Kim is an experienced educator with a background in early childhood education, holding a Master of Arts in Linguistics. She has served as a part-time teacher at Snail Lake Preschool and a substitute assistant teacher at ParkView Center School, where she focused on creating an organized and optimal educating environment. Her experience also includes teaching basic reading skills to preschoolers as a teacher with Reading Corps. 

Earl Wilson
In-House Sub/Educational Assistant, Office Support and Maintenance
ewilson@sejongacademy.org

bio coming soon!