Education students from South Korea take part in global education progam

Education Students from Duksung University in South Korea visited Caldwell College in January for a three week program focusing on the American educationl system and culture. They attended classes on campus and visited schools in the area. Here they are pictured on the stairs at Trinity Academy in Caldwell, one of the schools they visited

Caldwell, NJ – February 2, 2012 - Education students from DukSung Women’s University in Seoul, South Korea spent three weeks at Caldwell College during January learning about the American educational system and culture. The 15 students, who are college juniors and seniors, attended college classes and visited area elementary schools, middle schools and high schools.

“The Global Teacher Education Program is an extension of the partnership Caldwell College has with DukSung Women’s University. The Program aims at providing these Korean students with an overview of the American educational system through classroom lecture, observations of real classrooms, and opportunities to have conversations with Caldwell College graduate education students who are experienced teachers. We have all learned a tremendous amount from one another,” said Dr. Lisa DiBisceglie, associate dean of external partnerships.

These future educators are preparing to teach in middle or high school. YunJu Lee found it helpful to be exposed to various teaching methods and technology. She said she will be able to access those programs when she is home in Korea. Wan So said she appreciated learning about U.S. methods for teaching children with disabilities and about IEPs (Individualized Educational Plans). They said it was particularly nice when they were able to engage with the students in the classrooms where they observed. Ye-Jin Lee was very happy to be able to work hands-on with high school students at Mount St. Dominic Academy on a chemistry project.

In addition to Mount Saint Dominic Academy, some of the other schools they observed included: Trinity Academy in Caldwell, Robert Treat Academy in Newark and Watchung School in Montclair.

They also visited the Caldwell College Center for Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis and observed how American professionals work with children on the autism spectrum.

On campus, the group participated in a number of lectures and classes. Among the speakers they heard from was: Dr. Rosann Bar, professor of sociology, on racial and ethnic relations in the U.S., Dr. DiBisceglie, on higher education in the U.S.; Dr. Yang Cai, professor of sociology, on poverty issues in the U.S. ; Professor Rebecca Vega, music faculty , who presented on percussion instruments and Vilma Mueller, director of graduate studies, who spoke about the benefits of going to graduate school in U.S.

One of their favorite excursions was the trip to the Newark Museum where the docent gave them a very detailed tour of the one room schoolhouse.