Grade 4

4G

Julie Gill

Hello, my name is Ms. Julie Gill. I was born and raised in Germany, but most recently moved here from Washington State. I have a Masters Degree in Elementary Education and this will be my fourteenth year as an educator and my fifth year here at SJA teaching grade 4. I am so excited to help our grade 4 students learn and grow this year!

In my free time, I love to be outside! I enjoy hiking olles and oreums,and swimming and diving on this beautiful island. I also enjoy traveling and visiting other countries in order to experience all that each culture has to offer! When I am not outside, I love to bake, cook, do yoga and read books with a calming cup of tea.

4O

Tia Opdenweyer

Email: tia.opdenweyer@sjajeju.kr | Instagram: @ms.tia.teaches

Hi everyone! My name is Tia Opdenweyer, and I’m from Pennsylvania. I came to South Korea six years ago after graduating with a degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from the Pennsylvania State University. I am certified to teach PreK- Grade 6, as well as English as a Second Language for PreK through grade 12. Before coming to SJA Jeju, I previously taught grade 4 & 5 combined as well as kindergarten & grade 1 combined on the mainland.

In my free time I enjoy running, reading, and studying Korean. I love beaches and mountains, and I’m really enjoying living in such a beautiful place that has both. I often spend the weekends out and about with my husband exploring the island. I’m looking forward to a great year with my class and everyone in the SJA Jeju community! You can follow me on instagram. See you there!

4R

David Rive

Email: david.rive@sjajeju.kr | X: @davidmrive

My name is David Rive and I hail from Devonport, New Zealand, a harbourside suburb on Auckland's North Shore. I obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Political Studies and Sociology, and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Teaching from the University of Auckland. I have taught at two excellent schools in my home city; and worked abroad at both Munich International School, Germany, and Chatsworth International School, in Singapore. Here in Jeju I am joined by my wife, Courtney, and our little Jeju girl, Isla, who attends a local Korean daycare and loves island life. Jeju is very much our home away from home.

Raised in a family of teachers, moving into the world of education always felt natural. I sincerely love to teach upper elementary school-aged children and consider it a privilege to work alongside so many incredible students and teachers around the globe. For me teaching has been a calling. I am a dedicated educator with a drive to inspire, enlighten and collaborate with all of the students in my care. This year will mark my seventh year at SJA Jeju and my 19th year as a homeroom teacher.

I am passionate about sports. I grew up playing competitive basketball, rugby and lacrosse. I was fortunate to be selected to represent New Zealand at the Asia Pacific Lacrosse Championships. Playing club rugby in New Zealand, Canada and Singapore also proved to be an incredible experience. I love a challenge, and thrive on setting new goals and establishing high standards for the groups that I work with.

I sincerely look forward to another successful year working within our amazing school community. If you need to contact me, please do so via, and you can connect with me professionally via X.

4F

Kayleigh Foy

Email: kayleigh.foy@sjajeju.kr

Hello! I’m Kayleigh Foy, and I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the SJA community as the Grade 4 Homeroom Teacher. I’m originally from Bradford, England, and I’ve spent over 15 years teaching internationally in places like Daegu SK, Costa Rica, and Thailand. This experience has given me a deep understanding of working with students from a wide range of cultures and educational backgrounds.

I’m currently working on my Master’s degree in School Counseling. Creating safe and caring environments where students feel valued and supported is my passion. My teaching philosophy focuses on the holistic development of each child. By integrating SEL principles, I aim to foster an inclusive classroom that not only promotes emotional resilience but also supports academic growth. Incorporating mindful practices helps build students' confidence, critical thinking skills, and a love for inquiry-based learning. I firmly believe that a student’s emotional well-being is crucial for their academic success.

I am excited to be here with my family—my husband, who works as a high school teacher, and our two children, aged 8 and 6. I am eager to collaborate with students and parents to build strong connections and support each child in reaching their full potential.

Assistant Teachers

Jin Jang

Email: jin.jang@sjajeju.kr

This is Jin Jang, and I am a Grade 4 assistant teacher at SJA Jeju. This year is my 5th year teaching in SJA. I recently moved from teaching kindergarten to Grade 4. I studied English Language and Literature at Sungkyunkwan University. I have been living in Jeju for 8 years with my families. I love reading picture books with children. Reading is one of my favorite fun activities. I enjoy creating a warm and welcoming classroom environment. I am passionate about helping my students learn and grow. I am really excited to be part of grade 4 team at SJA this year!

Stephanie Kim

Email:L stephanie.kim@sjajeju.kr

Stephanie Kim has been part of the SJA Jeju Elementary Grade 4 team since 2018. Prior to coming to Jeju, Ms. Stephanie lived in the USA for 15 years. She studied Micro biology and Christian education in graduate school. She is the costume designer for many SJA Elementary School musical productions, such as “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Jungle Book”. In her free time Ms. Stephanie enjoys trying new recipes to add to her cookbook, gardening, and learning something new everyday.

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