Summer can be full of wonderful opportunities for teachers—and
this year I have been fortunate to participate in several outstanding workshops. My week with KAFE (Korea Academy for
Educators) in Los Angeles was fabulous.
It wasn’t just learning about Korea and the Korean immigrant experience in
the United States. It wasn"t just the intriguing and delicious food, the many
hands-on projects, the friendly, unbelievably committed staff, or the truly diverse group of fellow participants. It
wasn’t staying in Koreatown, the amazing kick-off dinner in the
director’s backyard or the lovely final party at the Ahn Family House at USC---all of that was just a beginning.
My interest in Korean culture and affairs has been awakened, and I will
keep learning.
Don’t believe me? Well, last night I watched The Way Home, a film I learned about from KAFE; I am finishing up Helie Lee’s book In the Absence of Sun about helping family members escape from
North Korea; and I have plans to turn the beautiful organic Napa Cabbage from
my CSA share into kimchee (why didn’t I purchase Korean chili powder while I
had the chance?).
Next week, I will
return to teaching and begin sharing the experience with my students. Stay tuned for a posting on the two-evening
workshop on Korean culture that art specialist, Althea Dabrowski, and I have
planned for Northfield Elementary School students.
Guess where I want to travel?
