2018년 HUFS 강의상 수상자

Scott Smith (교육대학원)

With so many extremely talented, knowledgeable, and hardworking teachers at HUFS in every department across both campuses, it’s a true honor to receive this award – especially a second time. In addition to all of my wonderful students and very supportive directors and colleagues, I have to thank the Graduate School of Education (my home department), Graduate School of TESOL, English Education, and the Division of International Studies for helping put me in a position to qualify for it in recent years, to include making it possible for me to teach a wide array of interesting and rewarding undergraduate and graduate level courses. Since 2008, the bulk of my teaching hours have been with the TESOL Professional Education Center, which I’ve been the Coordinator of for the past eight years. It’s a program I’m very proud of and have had some of my very best and most enriching experiences over the past decade.

I’m not exactly sure, but I work really hard on establishing, building and maintaining rapport with all of my students every semester. Good relationships with them definitely go a long way to help learning to happen, as well as preventing most hindrances. In addition, I love my job (working at HUFS!) and I’m passionate about what I teach/do, have a clear sense of where my students are and where they want or would like to be (as well as an ability to help them get there), am (towards the previous end) always well prepared and organized for each and every class, continually strive to make a strong and clear connection between theory and practice (a very important aspect of teacher training, which comprises the bulk of my work), and really enjoy and cherish my time in the classroom. In other words, the fire still very much burns after all these years…and I look forward to many more! 

It’s not necessarily about teaching in Korea as it is teaching in general. For me, it’s those classes that didn’t go as well as expected, or even went off the rails a bit – especially those I’ve taught before and/or have planned well (at least in my mind). Picking myself up, dusting myself off, and trying to right the ship as quickly and effectively as possible is always a humbling learning experience. It reminds me of one of my graduate school professors who said that you’re only as good as your last class (no matter how many years of experience you have under your belt). In other words, mistakes and missteps do wonders for professional growth – all of which have taught me myriad lessons over the years, which I’m very grateful for. 

When they blossom. To see students at the starting point of the journey and observe how they grow, develop and reach their full potential over time is truly magical. I think this is where the joy of teaching resides, for me anyway. It certainly motivates me to give the very best of myself to them, time and time again. 

Well, if experience is the best teacher (as I noted earlier), hopefully the more you have, the more you benefit from. As an educator for 20 years in a wide range of contexts in four different countries, I can definitely say that’s true professionally. As someone who has tried to live life to the fullest, to include many peaks and valleys, I can also say that’s true personally. So, to HUFS students, embrace change, hardships and tribulations, and the unexpected as much as all of the good things that life has to offer and provides. And don’t worry so much! Easier said than done, I know (yours truly, master worrywart, included!), but I think it truly is one of the keys to a long, healthy, fruitful, and happy life. In short, never stop learning, transcend, break the mold, and don’t sweat the small stuff.