Hoonseok Oh 오훈석
Head of School
hoh@sejongacademy.org

Mr. Hoonseok Oh has been a dedicated member of the Sejong Academy community since 2019. He has taught science, led the Upper School Science Department, and served in several key leadership roles, including Professional Learning Community (PLC) Lead, International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) Coordinator, and Teacher Board Member. He has also contributed significantly to the school’s financial sustainability through successful grant writing efforts that have secured additional resources to support students, teachers, and the broader learning community.

Mr. Oh holds degrees in Science Education and Special Education, along with advanced studies in STEM Education and School Administrative Leadership. He is passionate about creating engaging, rigorous, and inclusive learning experiences that help all students reach their full potential.

Throughout his career at Sejong, Mr. Oh has helped advance student achievement by fostering high expectations, supporting instructional excellence, and developing programs that connect classroom learning to real-world opportunities. He also coordinates Sejong’s annual educational trip to Korea and serves as Minnesota’s coordinator for the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad through the American Chemical Society, where he supports and encourages high-achieving science students across the state.

Prior to his career in education, Mr. Oh served in the Republic of Korea Army from 2013 to 2015, strengthening his commitment to leadership, service, and international partnership.

As Head of School, Mr. Oh is deeply committed to both student success and Korean immersion education. He believes that strong relationships among students, families, and staff are the foundation of a thriving school community and works each day to make Sejong “an even better place than it was yesterday.”

Kate Brogan
Dean of Students
kbrogan@sejongacademy.org

Mrs. Brogan-Brown, known to students as Mrs. Brogan, earned her Master’s degree in School Counseling from University of Wisconsin–River Falls in May 2022 and joined Sejong Academy shortly thereafter as the Lower School Counselor. Originally from Saint Paul, Minnesota, she attended Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, before returning to the Twin Cities, where she has lived since graduating.

After serving as a school counselor for three years, Mrs. Brogan-Brown transitioned into the role of Dean of Students. As Dean of Students, she works closely with students, families, and staff to promote a positive school culture, support student success, and foster a safe and welcoming learning environment. Her background in counseling continues to inform her approach, emphasizing relationship-building, problem-solving, and the social-emotional well-being of students.

Mrs. Brogan is passionate about helping students develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive both academically and personally. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, exploring local coffee shops, and spending time with family and friends.

Upper School Instructional Coach and IB Coordinator

Bio coming soon!

Yejin Hong 홍예진
Director of Korean Immersion Program & Upper School Korean Language Arts Teacher
yhong@sejongacademy.org

Ms. Hong grew up in Seoul, South Korea, and studied Journalism and Mass Communication at Sogang University. Before transitioning into education, she built a diverse professional background in online media, cultural research, and international nonprofit organizations. She later earned both her master’s and doctoral degrees from the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Now in her sixth year of teaching Korean at Sejong Academy, Ms. Hong serves as the Director of the Korean Immersion Program. In this role, she provides leadership and support for the school’s Korean language curriculum and immersion programming. She is passionate about helping students discover the joy of language learning and enjoys seeing how learning Korean broadens students’ perspectives and strengthens their connections to the wider world.

Suhyun Na 나수현
Assistant Director of Special Education
sna@sejongacademy.org

Suhyun Na was born and raised in Korea and earned her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in Special Education from Ewha Womans University. Prior to moving to the United States, she worked as a special education teacher and university lecturer while conducting research and publishing scholarly work in the field of special education. These experiences have provided her with extensive expertise in special education practice, research, and program development.

At Sejong Academy, Ms. Na has served in a variety of roles, including ADSIS Reading Teacher, ADSIS Coordinator, Reading Corps Coach, and Special Education Teacher. As the leader of the Special Education Department, she oversees the school’s special education program, including program development, service delivery, staffing, compliance, and budgeting. In her role as Administrative Designee for IEP and Evaluation meetings, Ms. Na provides leadership and supervision to special education staff to ensure high-quality services and support for students with diverse learning needs.

Kloh Kwai Paw
Receptionist and Cultural Liason
kkpaw@sejongacademy.org

Kloh Kwai Paw, affectionately known as Ms. “K K Paw” by Sejong staff, has been a valued member of the Sejong Academy community since 2020. Born in Burma and raised in Thailand’s Mae La Oon refugee camp, she immigrated to the United States in 2014. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Metropolitan State University.

Ms. K K Paw is passionate about working with young children and finds great joy in supporting their growth and development. As she shares, “I love working with little kids because they give me so much joy and happiness.” Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and values the meaningful connections she builds within her community.

Danny Decemson
Transportation/After-School Coordinator, Admin Assistant, In-House Sub
ddecemson@sejongacademy.org

Mr. Danny joined Sejong Academy in 2023 and has served in several roles, including Special Education Educational Assistant and Student Success Coach, before transitioning into his current administrative position. Born in a refugee camp in Thailand, he immigrated to the United States in 2011 and graduated from high school in 2016. He later earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Studies from St. Cloud State University, pursuing his interest in public service and law enforcement.

Mr. Danny is passionate about supporting students and helping them succeed both academically and personally. Outside of work, he enjoys staying active through regular exercise and fitness. He believes that maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle contributes to both physical well-being and mental resilience, values he strives to model in his daily life and work with students.

Hyokyung Kwak 곽효경
Operations Administrator
hkwak@sejongacademy.org

Ms. Kwak began her international educational journey in 2017 when she traveled to Wales, United Kingdom, to study English. During her time abroad, she became fascinated by the diverse teaching approaches and educational philosophies she observed, inspiring her to pursue a career in education. In 2019, she continued her studies in Early Childhood Education in the United States and later expanded her focus to global education by enrolling in the Comparative and International Development Education program at the University of Minnesota in 2022.

Ms. Kwak joined Sejong Academy in 2023 as a teacher before transitioning into her current administrative role. In addition to her administrative responsibilities, she teaches Personal and Professional Skills (PPS) to 11th-grade students, helping prepare them for future academic, professional, and personal success.

Passionate about educational equity and global learning, Ms. Kwak aspires to one day establish a school in an underserved community where students can develop their unique talents, achieve their full potential, and grow into engaged global citizens. She is committed to creating meaningful learning experiences that empower students to succeed.

Kimberly Lybrand 장은서
HR & Finance Administrator
klybrand@sejongacademy.org

Kim Lybrand was born in Seoul, South Korea, and grew up in small communities across the southern and Midwestern United States. She earned a degree in Flute Performance from the University of Iowa and developed a deeper interest in Korea and Korean culture after visiting Seoul for the first time in 2022.

Since then, Kim has pursued Korean language studies through summer programs at Sogang University and Pusan National University. She hopes to continue learning Korean throughout her life and values the opportunities language learning provides to reconnect to her heritage culture.

Kim joined Sejong in 2025 and will be returning for her second year on the administrative team. She is also currently pursuing a Master of Accountancy degree at the University of Minnesota and plans to build a career in accounting and finance, with a particular interest in supporting charter schools and nonprofit organizations.

As a Korean adoptee, she feels a special connection to Sejong Academy and views the school as the kind of community she wishes she had the opportunity to be a part of as a child.

Tha Dah Doh
Drug Prevention Facilitator
tddoh@sejongacademy.org

Tha Dah Doh is a proud graduate of Sejong Academy and is returning for his second year as the school's Drug Prevention Facilitator. In this role, he helps students make safe, informed, and healthy choices by providing substance use prevention education, facilitating intervention programs such as Teen Intervene, and connecting students and families with community resources when additional support is needed.

Mr. Tha Dah Doh works closely with teachers, counselors, administrators, and families to foster a safe, supportive, and inclusive school environment where all students can thrive. He is passionate about empowering young people to recognize their strengths, make positive decisions, and build a healthy foundation for their future.

Outside of school, Mr. Doh enjoys reading, hiking, and volunteering in his community. His connection to Sejong as both an alumnus and staff member gives him a unique perspective and deep commitment to supporting the next generation of Sejong students.

Jesse Schonfeld
IT Director, Reboot Systems
jesse@sejongacademy.org

With over 20 years of IT experience and more than a decade of dedicated work with schools, Jesse currently manages IT operations for four schools in Minnesota. His journey began as onsite IT support for a single school, and has since expanded to overseeing comprehensive IT services across multiple institutions. Jesse holds a BA in Network Technology (Magna Cum Laude) and an AAS in Graphic Design (Summa Cum Laude). His certifications include A+, MCSA, Network+, HME, and CCENT, among others. In addition to his role at Sejong, Jesse owns and operate Reboot Systems LLC and is a partner in Umbrella Systems. His companies have collaborated on projects with several Fortune 500 companies, including Wells Fargo, Target, Best Buy, Bank of America, Taco Bell, and many others. Originally from Philadelphia, Jesse and his family have called Minnesota home for over 15 years. Outside of work, He enjoys binge-watching Netflix, cheering for the Eagles, and embarking on adventures with his significant other—often in his pink Miata during Minnesota’s short summers.

Nah Rungmahabut
Kitchen Lead
rungmahabut@sejongacademy.org

bio coming soon!

Paw Zan
Kitchen Staff
pkzan@sejongacademy.org

bio coming soon!

Mu Mu
Kitchen Staff
mumu@sejongacademy.org

bio coming soon!