New Teacher Feature: Soyoun Chung

JOSHUA GOLDENFARB, ALEXANDER ALZATE, and JORDAN VENISZEE, Contributing Writers

As a math teacher in South Korea, Ms. Soyoun Chung was living what she knew to be an “everyday lifestyle"- until one day, she decided to take a risk to secure her future.

Photo by Jennah Elgamal

Ms. Chung came to America, planning to stay just three years to gain experience in professional education before returning to her home country.

”I started teaching here and I just loved it,” Ms. Chung said. The experience changed her life. She decided to stay in the United States permanently, and has now been working in American public education for more than a decade, including her new role in the North Brunswick Township High School (NBTHS) Math Department.

Growing up in South Korea was nothing but normal for Ms. Chung. She went to school, played the piano, earned exceptional grades, and began her career as a teacher there. She was comfortable in that environment. Moving to America was a new challenge, and not an easy transition. From the curriculum to learning how students moved around in the classroom, Ms. Chung learned how to adapt to this new system and culture of education, and she really enjoys where her career path has taken her.

Ms. Chung said she loved the United States- and NBTHS- for its diverse culture.

“Diversity is something that I really love about America,” Ms. Chung said. “Experiencing so many different cultures, and how everyone has a different background, is something that is truly great about where we are.”

Before choosing a career in education, Ms. Chung considered becoming a pharmacist. Her friends, however persuaded her to pursue Math. 

“‘You are so good at math,’ they said. You should go to college for a math education. And I wasn’t opposed to the idea,” Ms. Chung explained. 

In South Korean schools, Ms. Chung felt that most of the classes were ”very quiet and teacher-directed.” When Ms. Chung came to America, she started working in New York and later in Jersey City. She worked with middle school students at the time and thought it was fine, but not the place for her to stay. Coming to NBTHS was a challenge she was ready for. 

Ms. Chung still has many family members and memories in South Korea, but this new opportunity at NBTHS is something she will “forever remember and be grateful for.”