About Me
Quick Facts
Joined Lexington High School community in 2019
Prior to becoming a school counselor, was a high school ESL teacher in South Korea and ETA Program Coordinator with Fulbright Korea Commission; also worked as Administrative Coordinator with MGH Center for Cross-Cultural Student Emotional Wellness
Grew up in Hanover, Massachusetts; Daughter of first-generation Korean immigrants; Oldest of two siblings
Hobbies: Playing piano and making art, reading books, creative non-fiction writing, photography, walks along the Charles River, cooking and eating, leading workshops on Holistic Wellness and Asian American History, taking naps, and watching Korean dramas on Netflix
(Image Description: Esther grins at the camera. She is wearing rounded eyeglasses with a black top trim and silver bottom trim, a black turtleneck sweater, and black fleece jacket. The photo is taken outside near the Charles River)
Short Bio
Hi everyone! I live in Watertown, MA, but I call a few different places home: Hanover, MA where I grew up and attended high school; the greater Boston area (Cambridge/Somerville) where I attended college; and South Korea, where I officially began my career as an educator and also where my parents lived before immigrating to the United States in the 1980s. Each home holds different people and memories for me, and they have all shaped me into the person I am today. I identify as an Asian American woman (she/hers pronouns) who loves supporting people in their own lifelong journeys of wellness and success.
Counseling Philosophy
I am committed to embodying cultural humility and social justice in my work as a School Counselor. Everyday, I seek to actively listen to your voice, stories, hopes, fears, goals, and dreams in all of their fullness. I am excited to support all students as you embark on your unique journeys of growth and learning at LHS and beyond!
Current Favorites
Some of my current favorite things include:
Flavors: Cardamom coffee syrup and persimmon
TV show/Movie/Documentary: PBS Asian Americans documentary (watch it free HERE)
Readings: Fact sheets about depression among Asian American students (ENG CHN KRN versions available); "You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience" by Tarana Burke and Brené Brown