6 NEWS MR. GRIMM IN SOUTH KOREA
CONTRASTING AMERICAN & EAST ASIAN EDUCATION Sydney Hirt to go to college, and dropping out of South Korean students are exposed Staff Writer high school is practically unheard of. to a more rigorous curriculum, and they This past September, Principal South Korean students take special tend to learn at a faster pace. Martin Grimm flew to the other side of exams that determine what college one “[Middle schoolers] then have to the world on a mission: to learn more will be able to apply to; these exams are start taking their third language in 7th about the education system in South the the most hectic time of the year, grade. From elementary school, they’re Korea and how it compares to the with students staying up into nearly- learning English from a very young United States’ education system, over six unhealthy hours of the night studying age,” Grimm said. “They have to then thousand miles away. Without spending for their exams. pick up either Chinese, Japanese or a single penny from FCPS, Grimm took Similarly in the US, school can be Spanish.” time to appreciate South Korean culture intense, especially with students being In many schools across America, as well, opting to only eat at Korean encouraged to take higher level AP and second languages are not taught until restaurants and visit Korean shops. IB classes. middle or high school. In South Korea, “After flying 14 hours nonstudents are usually taught stop twice, taking high-speed rail English in school as a core five times, charter buses, public class, along with additional buses and private cars, I am very languages. Now, this is all excited to be back from South something that a South Korean Korea,” Grimm said in his weekly elementary school student is principal update to staff. “The expected to learn, which is hard ten days I spent in South Korea enough on its own. As they have proven to be amazing, eyeget older and enter secondary opening and self-reflective.“ school, they are expected to At first glance, the two juggle the languages they are countries could not be any learning along with their basic more different with regards to core subjects, which can result culture, traditions and food; but in an augmented amount of when it comes to education and stress and sleep deprivation. schooling, the United States has Regardless of these more in common with its East differences, the American Asian cousin than most might and South Korean education assume. systems emulate each other, “Interestingly, I found our and Grimm believes that in school systems to be much order to solve issues at Hayfield, Grimm with Korean students at a performing arts school. more alike than I would have administrators should look to Photo courtesy of Martin Grimm imagined as they are both facing their eastern neighbors. very similar challenges,” Grimm “As I reflect on the said. “As we traveled throughout South “[In] the United States and South visit, I cannot help but think about Korea, we spent time at the elementary, Korea, education is really your ticket Hayfield. We face so many of the middle, and high school levels, visiting into adult life. You could come from a same challenges. Student engagement, eight public and private schools and family that doesn’t have a lot of wealth cell phone/technology use, high levels three universities in total. We spoke and if you can take care of your business of community expectations, student with public and private school students, education wise, it can open doors for stress and the need for teacher and teachers and principals. We also gave you,” Grimm said. student autonomy to focus on learning presentations to over 400 parents, and In both countries, it is strongly while prepping for state-mandated two groups of college students at Hongik suggested and encouraged one attends standardized testing,” Grimm said. “I and Hanyang Universities where we also and graduates college. No matter what cannot help but feel that we at Hayfield met with the Acting President, Deans kind of family one is born into, if one are wrestling with global issues, not just of Education, Department Chairs and can attend college, it can make all the national, state, or FCPS issues. The best professors.” difference between success and failure. way to begin solving these issues is at In South Korea, education is a However, there are disparities our school level through empathy and priority. Most young adults are expected between the two cultures. side-by-side accountability.”