Hello! My name is Lise Kang. I currently develop English programs and support English teachers as a supervisor. I graduated from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, majoring in English and minoring in Education. After completing my bachelor, I went to Canada. In Vancouver, I had my TESOL diploma and took an Early Childhood Education program. I also worked at an international summer camp as a Korean counselor. I moved to Montreal to continue my study. I finished my Master's degree in Second Language Education at McGill University. Since 2008, when I came back to Korea, I have helped people learn English more efficiently sharing all of my experience and knowledge.
Lise KangSupervisor
Hello, everyone!:) My name is Jane Bak and I come from the sunny island of Gran Canaria, Spain. I was born and grew up in the capital of this wonderful island, Las Palmas de G.C. I majored in English Language and Literature at SNU (Seoul National University), where I was able to experience Korean college life as well as the Korean culture. I am presently enjoying my stay here in Korea and I have been impressed with all of my Gyeseong students. I am looking forward to teaching you and having fun.
Jane BakInstructor
Hello! My name is Julie Kim. I am very glad to be a member of the English faculty at Gyeseong Elementary School. I graduated Sookmyung University and majored in Educational Psychology with a minor in English Education. After that I received my MA in English Materials Development at International Graduate School of English. I had various experiences in developing English workbooks and teaching English. I strongly believe my education and experiences will help you study English in an effective way. Thank you!
Julie KimInstructor
Hi! My name is Leanne LaMonte. I am originally from Rochester, New York in the United States of America, but I have been living in South Korea since 2010. I graduated with a BA in English Literature from the State University of New York at Brockport and I have a master’s degree in English Education from Korea University. Before I came to Gyeseong, I taught at Gyeonggi Science High School for the Gifted for five years. I enjoyed teaching high school students, but I really love working with younger students. Some of my hobbies are listening to music, exercising, and spending time with my pets. I have two dogs and three cats! I look forward to meeting all of my new students, and I hope we have a great year together..
Leanne LaMonteInstructor
Hello everyone! My name is Ronald Koelbel. I grew up in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States of America. I attended 12 years of local Catholic schools where I made a lot of friends and developed a lot of interests. Music and languages were early interests and I spent the next few years at Towson University mastering German, eventually spending a year in the beautiful city of Trier, Germany to complete my studies. My love of travel and adventure took me to Korea in 2011 where I met my beautiful wife and settled into a life of teaching my English. I have taught several various grade levels during my time here. I am so happy to share all of my stories and English acumen with my students as well as my co-workers at Gyeseong Elementary School!
Ronald KoelbelInstructor
Hello everyone! My name is Ellen willson and I am from England. I grew up in a town near Durham, which is in the north of the country. Later, I moved to York to complete my Bachelor Degree in Education Studies, at York St John University. Following my undergraduate degree, I went on to receive a Master’s Degree in International and Comparative Education, from Stockholm University in Sweden. In my free time I enjoy exercising and travelling. I enjoy exploring new places and learning about different cultures. I am excited to meet all of my students and I hope we have a great year together.
Ellen willsonInstructor
Hello, everyone! My name is Vicky Vallee and I’m from one of the coldest cities in Canada, also referred to as Montreal. I studied at a local university where I obtained a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Then, I pursed my studies to the master level to graduate in international management as I was eager to work in other countries and discover new cultures. Through my studies and professional internships abroad, I realized that a career in education would be a better fit for me. Therefore, I reoriented myself to the teaching industry and moved to Korea in 2016 to begin a new chapter as an English teacher. I’m thrilled to be part of Gyeseong Elementary School’s team and hope we’ll have a wonderful year together. Let the journey begin!
Vicky ValleeInstructor
Hello everyone! My name is Jiyeon Kim. I attended an American high school in Syracuse, New York. I was interested in studying English and wanted to help others as I was helped by teachers and my American friends in high school so I decided to major in education. I went to State University of New York at Oswego (SUNY Oswego) majoring in childhood education with a concentration in math. After I came back to Korea, I worked in other schools for five and a half years. I am really excited to see Gyeseong students this year and I believe my new beginning here will be great and wonderful.
Jiyeon KimInstructor
Hello! My name is Eleanor Roh. I was born in Korea, but I spent most of my life in Japan and Canada. Therefore, I am able to speak three languages: Korean, English, and Japanese. I majored in Health Science at Simon Fraser University in Canada, and took another bachelor's degree in English Literature in Korea. Also, I am currently writing my thesis to get a master's degree in English Education at Korea University. I have taught various grade levels in Japan and Korea, and now I am so excited to teach you all at Gyeseong Elementary School! I hope we have a wonderful time together.
Eleanor RohInstructor
Hello! I am pleased to introduce myself as your English teacher at Gyeseong Elementary School. My name is Claire Ahn. I was born in Korea but I spent my childhood in Bangkok at a school called NIST International School. I majored in Pedagogy and English Education, and finished my master’s degree in English Education. I taught at Daewon International Middle School and wrote a thesis about the effect of types of text on Korean EFL learners who attend an international middle school in Korea. I was even lucky enough to have the opportunity to volunteer as an interpreter and help the international press when Pope Francis came to Korea in 2014. I am so happy to work here at Gyeseong Elementary School. I am excited to get to know the students more and to have fun learning English together!
Claire AhnInstructor
Hello everyone! My name is Marcel Labuschagne. I grew up in South Africa and studied in a small university town called Stellenbosch. After finishing my studies, I worked in the environmental sector for a while. I felt like a new challenge, so I moved to Korea to teach! I have found a great passion for teaching English and helping students to develop and grow their knowledge of the world. In my free time I like to read, hike Korea’s beautiful mountains, and enjoy all the tasty food here. I am delighted to be teaching at Gyeseong Elementary school and look forward to meeting all of you!
