Eun Joo Oh Tipka 오은주
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
eotipka@sejongacademy.org

Mrs. Oh was born in Busan, South Korea, and is a licensed teacher in Korea in Dance and Physical Education. She has more than 26 years of experience teaching and performing Korean traditional dance, drumming, and musical drama for students ranging from preschool age to adults. Over the course of her career, Ms. Oh has performed in five countries and participated in events associated with the 1988 Seoul Olympics. She also created and presented a professional dance performance titled Understanding at the Gumjeong Cultural Theater, where she developed the choreography, trained the performers, and performed in the production herself.

Before joining Sejong Academy, Ms. Oh taught at Orono Montessori School for nearly 12 years, where she earned a Montessori Teaching Diploma. She has been a Pre-K teacher at Sejong Academy since 2017 and enjoys helping young children learn and grow through engaging, hands-on experiences. Outside of school, Ms. Oh enjoys gardening, spending time with family at the cabin, and traveling with her husband, Terry.

Paw Soe
Pre-Kindergarten Educational Assistant

Bio coming soon!

Kyuyeol Song 송규열
Lower School Educational Assistant
ksong@sejongacademy.org

Mr. Song was born in Andong, South Korea, and graduated from Korea University with a BA in Korean Language Education. He worked as a high school Korean teacher in Korea for 14 years before moving to Minnesota in 2019. He now lives in Woodbury with his wife and two teenage children. Mr. Song loves to play pickleball and is a member of the Woodbury Pickleball Club. He likes coffee and going on road trips. At Sejong Academy, he hopes to make a meaningful and lasting contribution to supporting students in need.

Hyein Lee 이혜인
Kindergarten Co-Teacher and PreK-1 Instructional Coach
hyeinlee@sejongacademy.org

Hyein Lee, a graduate of Sookmyung Women’s University (B.Mus.) and Yonsei University (M.Mus.), brings over 20 years of teaching and performance experience to Sejong Academy. Since joining the school in 2018, she has served as a kindergarten teacher, Korean Language Coordinator, PLC Leader, Elementary Lead Teacher, and Instructional Coach.

Known for meeting each student at their individual level and helping them grow to their full potential, she is committed to helping students become bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural learners who are confident, curious, and connected to both Korean heritage and the wider world.

Hye Yoon Park 박혜윤
Kindergarten Co-Teacher
hpark@sejongacademy.org

Ms. Hye Yoon Park graduated from Seoul National University of Education and taught in Korea for five years before her path led her to the United States. Along the way, she came to recognize a deeper calling: to nurture the flourishing of communities through the growth and resilience of children and their families. Before joining Sejong Academy, she worked in the nonprofit sector, supporting communities as they sought to thrive and grow

Ms. Park will be returning for her second year at Sejong Academy, looking forward with gratitude and hope to planting roots with her students and grow side by side. 

Beyond the classroom, she is a certified yoga instructor, creating gentle spaces where body and spirit may be grounded, restored, and at peace. Some of her happiest moments are found under Minnesota’s wide skies, camping with her husband and their two children.

Jiyoung Kim 김지영
1st Grade Co-Teacher
jikim@sejongacademy.org

Ji Young Kim was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Sungkyunkwan University. Ms. Kim joined Sejong Academy in 2022 and has been a dedicated member of the school community, committed to supporting students in their academic growth and learning.

Outside of school, Ms. Kim enjoys hiking, working on jigsaw puzzles, and listening to music. She lives in Woodbury, Minnesota, with her husband and two daughters.

Meesuk Park 박미숙
1st Grade Co-Teacher
mpark@sejongacademy.org

Ms. Meesuk Park was born in Gwangju, South Korea, and earned a degree in Early Childhood Education from Duksung Women's University in Seoul. She worked as an early childhood educator in kindergarten and elementary schools in Korea for approximately 10 years, where she developed a strong appreciation for the unique strengths and potential of every child.

In addition to her teaching experience, she volunteered in church Sunday school programs for 15 years and spent two years sharing stories and music with residents at a nursing home. After immigrating to Minnesota four years ago, she continued learning through ESL courses and gained valuable experiences connecting with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Outside of school, she enjoys visiting cafés, trying new coffee and baked goods, and spending time in nature through hiking.

Jungyeol Park 박정열
2nd Grade Co-Teacher
jpark@sejongacademy.org

Mr. Jungyeol Park has been teaching at Sejong Academy since 2022, serving as a homeroom teacher for both 2nd and 3rd grade. Before moving to the United States, he lived in South Korea for more than 30 years.

He earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Education from Seoul National University. After relocating to the United States, he continued his studies, earning a Master’s degree in K–6 Elementary Education from Hamline University and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Minnesota.

Outside of school, he enjoys playing sports such as tennis and soccer. He also values spending time with his wife and two sons and enjoys being active with his family.

Seonmin Oh 오선민
2nd Grade Co-Teacher
minoh@sejongacademy.org

Ms. Min Oh is returning as the 2nd-grade homeroom teacher for the 2026-27 school year. She is originally from Busan, a city famous for its beautiful ocean, and has also lived in Seoul for many years. She moved to the United States in 2020 and continues to teach clarinet every day after work. She majored in music with a focus on clarinet performance and is passionate about Korean language education, holding a Level 2 Korean Language Teaching Certificate.

Ms. Oh truly loves teaching and approaches each student with care, dedication, and genuine affection. She also has great passions for strong coffee, psychology, classical music, jazz, and traveling.

She is committed to creating a positive and inclusive classroom environment where every student feels respected and enjoys learning. She looks forward to collaborating closely with parents and colleagues to support the growth and happiness of all her students.

Da-In Beck 백다인
Grade 3 Co-Teacher
da-inbeck@sejongacademy.org

Ms. Beck was born in Seoul, South Korea, and moved to the United States during middle school. She earned her B.A. in Elementary Education from North Central University and has been part of the Sejong community for over five years. During that time, she has taught kindergarten, 4th grade, and 5th grade, and is now excited to be teaching 3rd grade for the second year.

Ms. Beck’s goal as an educator is to help students discover who they are and embrace their unique identities with confidence. Outside of the classroom, she is a foodie who enjoys traveling and cherishes spending time with her family and friends.

Hayeon Lee 이하연
Grade 3 Co-Teacher, Event Coordinator
halee@sejongacademy.org

Ms. Hayeon Lee came to Minnesota in 2016 as an international student. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Minneapolis College of Art and Design and is pursuing her Master of Arts in Education.

Ms. Lee is passionate about design and enjoys creating visually engaging work that sparks interest and curiosity. She is always eager to explore new ideas, techniques, and creative approaches in her work.

Through her artistic background and creative perspective, Ms. Lee brings innovation, enthusiasm, and a love of learning to the Sejong Academy community.

Nari Park
Grade 4 Co-Teacher
npark@sejongacademy.org

Ms. Park is excited to return to Sejong Academy for her third year. She holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Korean Language Education and Creative Writing, as well as a Level 2 Korean Language Teaching Certificate. Having taught students of all ages throughout Minnesota, she brings both experience and a passion for learning to her classroom.

Before becoming a teacher, Ms. Park worked as a feature editor for a design publishing company in Korea. That experience taught her to appreciate the power of thoughtful communication and the space between words, a perspective she continues to bring to her teaching today.

Outside of school, she enjoys leading a neighborhood book club, writing essays, and spending time with her cat. She is committed to creating a warm and engaging learning environment where students feel supported, inspired, and encouraged to grow.

Nathan Paul
Grade 4 Co-Teacher
npaul@sejongacademy.org

Bio coming soon!

Haelim Wee 위혜림
Grade 5 Co-Teacher
haelim@sejongacademy.org

Ms. Wee was born in South Korea and moved to the United States in 2012. She studied Elementary Education and Global Studies at Purdue University and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree at Hamline University.

This is Ms. Wee’s fourth year at Sejong Academy. She previously taught 3rd and 6th grade and is beginning her second year as a 5th-grade teacher. She is excited to continue working with Sejong students and guiding them through an important year of academic and personal growth.

Ms. Wee is passionate about creating an inclusive and engaging learning environment where all students feel valued, supported, and challenged to do their best. She incorporates differentiated instruction, culturally responsive teaching practices, and hands-on learning experiences to help students reach their full potential.

Outside of the classroom, Ms. Wee enjoys exploring new coffee shops, playing tennis, and watching sports. She looks forward to partnering with students and families to make the school year a positive and rewarding experience for everyone.

Joenieferr Jamito
Grade 5 Co-Teacher
jjamito@sejongacademy.org

Mabuhay!
My name is Joenieferr Providencia Jamito, also known as Jhun from Maple Grove, Minnesota. I am a cultural exchange teacher from the Republic of the Philippines, and I am deeply passionate about education. I hold licenses as an Elementary Teacher in both the Philippines and the United States, as well as a Level 1 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Teacher license in Alberta, Canada. I have dedicated almost 16 years of my life to teaching.

My teaching journey includes 2 years in Kindergarten, 3 years in 1st Grade, and 8 years in 5th Grade in the Philippines. In the United States, I served as a 5th Grade Teacher for one year and as a Special Education Resource Teacher for another year.

I earned my Bachelor of Elementary Education, Major in General Education, at Negros Oriental State University, where I also completed the academic requirements for a Master of Arts in Educational Management, Major in Administration and Supervision. Throughout my years in general education, I encountered many students with exceptionalities and learning differences. This inspired me to pursue further studies in special education. I completed the Special Education Bridging Program at Western Colleges in the Philippines and later began my Master’s in Special Education. Though I was unable to complete the program, I was blessed with the opportunity to continue through Metropolitan State University with the support of Intermediate School District 917 and the PELSB Teacher of Color Scholarship Grant.

For me, education is a powerful means to overcome ignorance and poverty, and a way to advocate for the success of others. Being part of Sejong Academy this year is both a privilege and a blessing from God. I am committed to keeping my passion for teaching alive and to giving my very best in shaping capable and compassionate individuals, contributions I hope will support the continued success of our school.