I am an Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education in the College of Education at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. I earned my Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning from The Ohio State University, where I specialized in early childhood and elementary education as well as dramatic and arts-based pedagogy. My research and teaching are guided by two central questions: “How can we make teaching and learning more engaging and meaningful to students’ lives?” and “In a rapidly changing society, what skills will students need, and how can education help them develop these skills?”

Drawing on my experience as a PreK–3 classroom teacher in both formal and informal educational settings, I have conducted diverse research projects in P–5 classrooms across Ohio, New York, and South Korea. I apply Dramatic and Inquiry-based approach to STEAM, literacy, and interdisciplinary teaching in multicultural and multilingual educational settings. Through this work, I support pre-service and in-service early childhood and elementary teachers in engaging in reflective teacher inquiry with a focus on play-based and holistic education.

I also design and lead professional development workshops for international pre- and in-service teachers, implement programs to support multicultural and multilingual families, and actively engage in practice-based research in collaboration with schools and communities. My work emphasizes building learning communities, designing curricula that honor cultural and linguistic diversity, and connecting research with practice to drive educational innovation.

In recognition of my contributions, I have received the International Leadership Award from the Office of International Affairs at The Ohio State University, the Outstanding Student Leader of the Year award from the Equity, Diversity, and Global Engagement Office, and the Excellence in Outstanding Teaching award from the National Association of Korean Schools, Midwestern Chapter.