Yun K Cho. 조윤경
Lower School Principal
ykcho@sejongacademy.org

Click here for bio.

Kate Brogan
Whole 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.

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

Ms. Oh was born in Busan, South Korea and is a licensed teacher in Korea in Dance and Physical Education.  She has over 26 years experience in both teaching and performing Korean traditional dance, drumming and musical drama to all ages ranging from Pre-K to adult.  In addition, She put on a professional Dance performance Named “Understanding” at the Gumjong culture theatre where she did all of the choreography, trained the performers and performed herself.  She has performed in five different countries around the world along with the 1988 Seoul, Korea Olympics.  Ms. Oh enjoys planting a garden every spring and spending time with family at the cabin along with traveling to various places throughout the US for vacation time with her husband, Terry. She has almost 12 years teaching experience at the Orono Montessori School and during this time she earned a Montessori teaching diploma.

Hyein Lee. 이혜인
Kindergarten Main Classroom Teacher
hyeinlee@sejongacademy.org

Ms. Lee was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea and moved to Chicago, USA in 2010. She recieved BM with honor in Sookmyung Women’s University in performance piano and M.M in Yonsei University in collaborate piano in Korea. She has 17 years experience of teaching kids. Ms. Lee’s goal is to create an environment for creativity, to challenge kids to be creative, and to encourage students to love and to be proud of themselves. It will help them to find creative solutions to complete their task. In her free time, she likes listening to music and crocheting.   

Noah Larson
Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
Nlarson@sejongacademy.org

Mr. Larson is a Minnesota native, discovering and learning Korean at the University of Minnesota starting in 2020. At the University, Mr. Larson received a BA in Global Studies and eventually a MA in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. Both of his degrees focus on areas of Korean studies: Korean pedagogy in Language classrooms and Korean media & pop culture. 

His goal is to create an environment that encourages student autonomy, while also showing them a first hand example of a non-hertiage Korean speaker.  In his free time, he enjoys reading and exploring nature.

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

Ji Young Kim was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. She graduated from SungKyunKwan University with a BS degree in Mathematics. This year is her second year at Sejong Academy and she is excited to meet and teach 2nd graders. She enjoys hiking, playing jigsaw puzzles, and listening to music.  She resides in Woodbury, MN with her husband and two daughters.

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

I was born in Gwangju, South Korea, and after majoring in early childhood education at Duksung Women's University in Seoul, I worked with children as a childcare teacher at a private kindergarten, an attached kindergarten, and an elementary school for about 10 years. Through cognitive, physical, and emotional activities with children, I learned about the diversity of behavior and infinite potential of children in infancy and childhood. And through volunteering at church Sunday school for about 15 years, I had the valuable experience of being able to read the various emotional changes of children in the upper grades of elementary school and the emotions of adults through storytelling and music at a nursing home for about 2 years. When I immigrated to Minnesota four years ago, I had the opportunity to expand my knowledge and thinking by taking an ESL course and meeting cultures and people from various countries. I believe that my various experiences outside of early childhood education will be helpful to the needs of the children at Sejong Academy. My hobbies include visiting various cafes, tasting coffee and bread, and appreciating nature through hiking.

Jungyeol Park. 박정열
Grade 2 Main Classroom Teacher
jpark@sejongacademy.org

Mr. Park was born and raised in South Korea. For his bachelor and master programs, he studied at Seoul National University in South Korea. Also, he earned a doctoral degree in multicultural education from the University of Minnesota. Currently, he is in another graduate program about elementary education at Hamline University. A beautiful city, Gangneung is his hometown, and he moved to the U.S in 2013 for his studies. Now, he is living with his wife and his two sons. Soccer and tennis are his favorite sports to enjoy. Also, he loves to go camping to see beautiful nature in Minnesota every summer and fall. He taught 3rd grade for two years, and he is teaching 2nd grade now.

Seonmin Oh. 오선민
Grade 2 Assistant Teacher
minoh@sejongacademy.org

As of 2024, Ms. Oh is currently working as a 2nd-grade assistant teacher at Sejong Academy. She was born in Busan and lived in Seoul. She came to the United States in 2020 and majored in music (clarinet) in Korea. Up to the present, she continues to teach clarinet privately. Furthermore, she holds a Level 2 Korean Language Teaching Certificate, which she obtained in Seoul. As evident from this, she greatly enjoys teaching and loves her students. Additionally, she has a strong passion for rich coffee, psychology, classical music, jazz, and traveling. She looks forward to creating a positive atmosphere and contributing to growth alongside her colleagues and students.

Haelim Wee
Grade 3 Main Classroom Teacher
haelim@sejongacademy.org

Ms.Wee is a new sixth-grade teacher at Sejong Academy. She pursued a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education (K-6), specializing in reading and Global Studies at Purdue University. She has been working in the field of education as an instructional specialist and researcher at Purdue, specifically in curriculum planning and development. She has been supporting multilingual students in their language development/acquisition and both pre-service and in-service teachers to create a positive effective learning environment in elementary settings. Her goal for this year is to nurture and encourage the lifelong learning of her students. She will help them to expand their knowledge and perspectives throughout the year. 

Hayeon Lee 이하연
Grade 3 Assistant Teacher
halee@sejongacademy.org

Ms. Heyeon Lee came to Minnesota in 2016 as an international student. Thanks She finished her Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and She currently in the MCAD Master of Fine Arts program from 2022 to 2024. She is passion about to create design that visual interest and try something new every time.

Hyomin Tae Kudo. 태효민
Grade 4 Main Classroom Teacher
hkudo@sejongacademy.org

Mrs. Kudo is a third year teacher at Sejong Academy who is excited to work with the new third graders of the school year 23-24! Her rich background includes a childhood split between the Philippines and South Korea, followed by her relocation to Minnesota in 2016 to embark on her college journey. With dedication and enthusiasm, Mrs. Kudo earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota. Committed to her passion for education, she furthered her studies by enrolling in graduate school to learn and explore more about the field of Elementary Education. In May 2021, she earned her M.Ed. at the same institution as where she earned her Bachelor's degree. Mrs. Kudo enjoys traveling, finding new coffee shops, and spending time with family and friends. She also loves instilling a love for learning in her students and seeing their growth as lifelong learners!

Maggie Walsh. 매기 왈스
5B - Grade 5 Teacher
mwalsh@sejongacademy.org

Maggie Walsh is going into her 3rd year teaching at Sejong. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas in 2020 with a BA in Elementary Education. She is passionate about teaching her students to be kind & curious learners! Ms. Walsh grew up in the Twin Cities and spent lots of time going to baseball games & walking around Minneapolis’ many lakes! When she is not teaching, she will most likely be trying new restaurants and coffee shops.

Da-In Beck 백다인
Grade 1 Assistant Teacher
da-inbeck@sejongacademy.org

Ms. Beck was born in Seoul, South Korea, and came to the States when she was 14 years old. She majored in elementary education (k-6) at North Central University and had experience teaching Korean school(한글학교) for three years. This is her second year at Sejong as a kindergarten teacher. Ms. Beck's educational philosophy is that all students are unique, and need to have an environment where all students can grow physically, emotionally, and socially.

Danielle Bass
Library Media Specialist
dbass@sejongacademy.org

Danielle Bass grew up in a traveling family, moving all over the United States and the world. This gave her enduring curiosity for all things related to language and culture. After graduating from the University of Minnesota with a BA in Linguistics and a minor in Korean Language and Literature, she moved to South Korea with her family, where she lived for seven years. She completed her teaching licensure as a K-12 Library Media Specialist in January 2024, and is excited about bringing her love of language and information media literacy to Sejong Academy. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, cooking, and being outdoors.

Sebastian Montes 세바스찬 몬테스
Art Teacher
smontes@sejongacademy.org

Mr. Montes has been working as an arts and ESL instructor since 2013. In 2015 he completed an MFA degree with a focus in drawing and painting from the University of Houston where he also taught fundamental drawing and painting courses. After receiving his MFA Mr. Montes moved to Korea where he lived and worked as an ESL instructor for 6 years in multiple locations across the country. In the summer of 2022 he returned to the states in hopes of once again teaching art. Mr. Montes was thrilled to discover a Korean immersion school seeking an art teacher so near to his new home in Saint Paul Minnesota. He looks forward to combining his art and ESL background while working with the diverse staff and students of Sejong Academy.

Hyewon Lim. 임혜원
English Language Learner Teacher, Grades K-2
hlim@sejongacademy.org

Hyewon was born and raised in Seoul, Korea. She has a bachelor’s degree in History from University of London, UK, and a master’s degree in Marketing Communications from University of Westminster, UK. She worked as a marketing manager at LG Electronics in Seoul, Korea for ten years before pursuing a career in teaching. She earned a master’s degree in TESOL from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota and worked as an ESL teacher for six years. Apart from teaching, she loves to travel around the world. She has traveled to over twenty countries. She also loves to read books, watch movies, and spend time with her family and friends.

Sacha Chandavong. 사샤 찬도방
English Language Learner Teacher, Grades 3-6
schandavong@sejongacademy.org

Ms. Sacha received a master’s degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Hamline University in 2018. Before coming to Sejong, she taught adult English language learners at different organizations. Outside of teaching, she likes reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Martinez, Adam
English Language Learner Teacher
amartinez@sejongacademy.org

Adam was born in California and raised in Minnesota. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.A. History in 2014. His studies included a year of physics and organic chemistry at Anoka-Ramsey Community College and a semester abroad in Chiba, Japan through IES Abroad (Tokyo - Language & Culture program). After college, Adam taught elementary school English in the public schools of Sejong City, South Korea for 6 years, through EPIK (English Program In Korea). In Korea, he discovered his passion for teaching English to young learners. Adam's goal with teaching is to make English fun and easy for his students. In his free time, he likes to help his parents and walk as much as possible. Adam's favorite Korean food is Jeju black pig.

Miseon Hwang
Special Education Teacher, Grades 3-6
mhwang@sejongacademy.org

Miseon Hwang was born and raised in South Korea where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature & Language as well as a certificate in Teaching Korean as a Second Language. After graduation, she then moved abroad to Dublin, Ireland for 6 years. Ms. Hwang has experience in teaching English to students in grades K-9 for over 5 years. She moved to the United States in 2017 and started working at Sejong Academy as a volunteer. She then worked her way up to Educational Assistant in Special Education and then to First Grade Homeroom Teacher before becoming an Elementary Special Education Teacher Ms. Hwang believes that a role as an educator is to be a positive influence on more than academics. Educators should be a positive influence on aspects like emotional well-being, social skills, and physical health. Ms. Hwang lives in Midway, St. Paul and likes to tend her garden with her husband. She also loves traveling, camping, and listening to music.

Nari Park
Special Education EA
npark@sejongacademy.org

Born and raised in Korea, she majored in creative writing and drama at the College of Arts, Chung-Ang University. After graduation, she worked at leading media groups such as Naver, Design House Inc., and Korean Travel Times for 15 years as a feature editor and content director. She published two travel-related books with Sigonsa and Wisdom House and still contributes to various media outlets as a contributing editor.
Since moving to Minnesota in 2019, she has dedicated the past three years to teaching at a Korean school and Korea Institute of Minnesota where she thrives on creating engaging content and connecting with her students. She is currently pursuing a Level 2 Korean Language Teacher Certification at the Department of Korean Language Education, Kyung Hee University. Outside the classroom, she loves watching baseball games and going to concerts. Excited to join Sejong Academy for the 2024-25 season, Ms. Park hopes to inspire and support students as a learning facilitator and navigator.

Danny Decemson
Student Success Coach
ddecemson@sejongacademy.org

Mr. Decemson grew up in a Thailand refugee camp and moved to the United States in 2011. He graduated High School in 2016 and pursued his career in Law Enforcement. He graduated from St. Cloud State University with a Bachelor's in Degree in Criminal Justice Studies. Someday he hopes to become a police officer in the state of Minnesota and help protect the community. During his leisure he loves to go to the gym and workout. He believes staying fit and active helps promote a healthy body and mind. He also loves working with students. That's why he’s happy to work with students at Sejong!

Charitha Kudapanage
ADSIS Math Teacher Grade 3-11
ckudapanage@sejongacademy.org

She was born in SriLanka and moved to U.S. in 2012. She received Bachelor’s in Applied Mathematics and pursuing 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.

Bai Grafsky
Ampact Reading Corps Tutor 
bgrafsky@sejongacademy.org

Growing up helping her peers when they were left behind in class, she enjoyed the feeling of being someone these people could go to. Now, she looks forward to being able to take on a role where she can continue to spread excitement about being able to learn. "I am thrilled to be part of the children's school year and look forward to helping and watching them grow." 

Michael (MIke) Xao Vang 
Americorps Reading Tutor
mvang@sejongacademy.org

This 2024-2025 school year will be Mr. Vang's first year tutoring at Sejong Academy through the Americorp/Ampact program. Assisting people has been a passion of his ever since his college years. He enjoys Reading, going for walks and watching horror movies. He is hoping to get along with the Staff and students at Sejong Academy.

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 has over 10 years of experience teaching and working with children. Mrs. Hong has been an active member of Sejong since the school first opened its doors in 2014. She sent all her children to Sejong and worked as a classroom volunteer when they first opened. She’s also served as the school’s PTO President for 3 years, in-house substitute, and has been the school’s librarian for the last 6 years. Mrs. Hong loves to serve at Sejong in hopes to instill a growth mindset in students where they do not fear challenges or mistakes. Her vision is for students to learn to become lifelong learners. She currently lives just outside of St. Paul with her husband and 3 children.

YoungHie Kim 김영희
In-House Sub & Educational Assistant
yhkim@sejongacademy.org

Ms. Kim was born in Gong-Ju, South Korea, and worked as a teacher for 12 years until immigrating to Minnesota 2 years ago. She had a childhood full of happiness with eight siblings (seven sisters and one brother) and they were always a joy to their parents. During her childhood, she explored various kinds of role-playing, outdoor activities, and attending Sunday school. These experiences taught her how to love and care for other people, and she has been sharing these valuable lessons with her three sons. She hopes to pass this on to her first graders as well throughout the school year! She joined Sejong last year as a first grade educational assistant, and this year she is a first grade (1B) teacher. She is so excited to meet everyone in her class and hopes to guide everyone to a path of happiness.

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.