Looking for a change of scenery, Won Yoon, a career chemist of almost 25 years, stepped out of the lab to pursue teaching.
“I decided to get some fresh air,” jokes Won who teaches algebra and pre-calculus at the Upper School. “As a chemist, on a bad day, I could be in the lab for almost 24 hours. I know I was making great discoveries but as a teacher, I see the results of my work right away.”
Won worked most of his career in the drug discovery industry and always worked as a personal math tutor on the side. To amplify his work with students, he decided to become a substitute math teacher, which progressed to a full-time faculty position two years ago.
“I remember seeing Parker and wondering what [the School] was all about,” says Won. “I found I liked helping the students and my colleagues in the math department shared the same goals in teaching.”
Won says he and his colleagues don’t just teach students math; they encourage students to work together and look at problems critically and build on each other’s knowledge to achieve the answer.
“I love teaching math because it teaches you to think to problem solve,” says Won. “I encourage my students to help each other during class. This is very effective for the one who helps as well as the one who is helped.”
Won says students reach a different level of understanding when they are able to teach their peers—a level of proficiency that will stay will them long after the lesson.
“When my students leave my classroom, I want them to remember learning is not just about understanding but having fluency,” says Won. “Knowing is not enough. Becoming fluent in whatever they pursue will help them stand out from the rest.”
“I encourage my students to help each other during class. This is very effective for the one who helps as well as the one who is helped.”
