Paul has worked in international education for nearly 15 years and has resided in Egypt, Hungary, Sweden, Latvia and South Korea. He grew up in the Republic of Ireland and trained as a teacher in the United Kingdom. He has had many different roles throughout his career but believes there is none better than the PYP Exhibition.
What is your role at Dwight School Seoul?
I am a Grade 5 Teacher and the Lower School Math Lead. I facilitate the PYP Exhibition, a project which is the culmination of primary school for our students and one that constantly evolves. It is something that fosters the three pillars of Dwight – personalized learning, community & global vision. In mathematics, I am currently working with staff to develop our curriculum and augment our teaching practices.
What made you decide to work in an education setting? And what is your philosophy?
I have worn many hats throughout my life and originally worked in a laboratory after graduating. Although very interesting, the thing I missed the most was working with people and I suppose you could say teaching found me. I have taught all levels and age ranges but primary school has always been an area where enthusiasm can be found in abundance. There is never a dull moment. To sum up my educational philosophy, I have to say it has been largely denoted by my parents, two open-minded and genuine people who I am still very close to today. I have always prided myself on trying to establish an HONEST environment within the classroom where any question is neither too great nor small. If this can be achieved, learning will naturally flow in a safe environment which aims high. We talk about learning journeys all of the time in education and I believe that we should always be assessing ourselves and evolving, not only academically but also individually. Reflection and communication are very important. The children that I have taught have been the wisest ambassadors that I have had the pleasure to learn from and they have taught me never to be afraid of new experiences or challenges, even if you get knocked back. The PYP is a wonderful curriculum and allows me to implement these qualities into my teaching. It’s important to be able to connect with what it is you want to learn and for this reason I try to instill a level of CURIOSITY into new students as we all have something to bring to the table. I believe that within education although we are all individuals we are all equal at the same time. We can achieve great things together as a team, playing to our strengths and supporting one another with one key thing at the center of everything, THE STUDENTS!
What do you like the most about working at DSS?
The community at Dwight School Seoul is special. I consider myself lucky to have been part of that community for three years now. My daughters arrived here at the age of three and have thrived in the special and unique environment that this school has to offer. I am proud of their progress and thankful to the wonderful teachers that they have had. I hope that in the very near future our doors will open up once again to the parents and that the many social events on our calendar can once again be celebrated in unison.
What are your interests and or hobbies?
I have always loved football (soccer in some circles) as both a player and a supporter. I have been lucky enough to play in two semi-professional leagues in Europe and once had an outing as a player in the Korean FA Cup (many years ago). I also played in a match marked by the then current captain of Latvia which didn’t end well!
Apart from sports and spending most of my time with family I like to hang out with friends when I can, write ‘snail mail’ to my global family and solve brain teasers and logic puzzles. I think it’s really great to have had the opportunity to travel with work, and each country I have been fortunate enough to visit has its own unique character. I love Korean cinema (notably Park Chan-Wook), hiking the Seoul trail and enjoying the local cuisine!
Who inspires you and how?
I find inspiration from GENUINE, good people. It’s as simple as that. It doesn’t matter what they do or where they come from but if they are honest and truthful I am inspired. The most honest people I have ever met are the students I teach and I will never stop learning from them. Family inspires me. My wife and my twin daughters inspire me everyday simply by who they are. I am a very lucky person to be surrounded by such a kind, warm-hearted and genuine family.
What is the best book or production that you have read, watched, or listened to lately?
The best book I have recently read is a book called ‘Peace by Piece’, written by the students of Grade 5 for the PYP Exhibition last year. It’s a book about a dystopian future where the three main characters experience three different challenges which bring them together with a common goal of fixing a broken world. It was researched, illustrated and scribed exclusively by our students of Dwight and is a relevant commentary relating to our lives today. Some of my other favorites include ‘Catch 22 by Joseph Heller’ & ‘Area Mazes created by the Japanese Puzzle Masters – Naoki Inaba & Ryoichi Murakami’.
What global challenge would you like to see tackled and how do you see yourself contributing to the positive change that you desire? Or, what one particular social issue calls out to you and why? How do you see yourself contributing to making an impact/being the solution?
I have been very lucky throughout my career to be able to be involved with many PYP Exhibitions around the world. The children are the future and have the answers. They are the ones who can make the difference so I suppose by guiding them I might have a chance of making an impact. Through the PYP Exhibitions I have experienced, students have tackled some very difficult issues and related to those issues with professionals at their level, poignant and powerful learning experiences that have had a lasting impact on myself. I have seen students work with Heads of State, making a difference on a local news channel and even conducting an open-lesson for a princess! This level of ACTION has been inspiring. Currently, one global challenge I find myself drawn to was recently highlighted by the pandemic. In our world we often talk about ‘rights’ and ‘equality’ but under this umbrella there is an ever-increasing gap between the rich and the poor. Maybe a future project might delve more into this issue and its connotations…
What is one fun fact about you that others may not know or may surprise them?
A surprise fact: I have a black-belt in Taekwondo obtained exclusively through the language of Korean. I am also a fluent Irish speaker although out of practice. I often read books in Irish (Gaeilge) as a child. My father was and still is a proud ‘Gaeilgeoir’.
Why would you tell a prospective family to choose DSS?
This is the best school that my twin daughters have attended and thrived in, what else is there to say from a teacher who works at the school?
