Busan is South Korea's second-most populous city after Seoul, with a population of over 3.4 million inhabitants.

TTU K-12 Inks Partnership with ESI in South Korea

By Leslie Cranford, Section Manager

With a metro population over 3.4 million in Busan, South Korea, Rosa Kim has been counting on many of those families wanting an American education for their children, in addition to their typical Korean schooling.

Kim started her business in a humble two-room academy in an alley located next to her goal – a five-story building that was not available. Now, Rosa's ESI takes up every occupiable space in the building with classes focusing on English, but heavily supplemented with math, arts and a variety of other classes.

Kim and ESI have chosen TTU K-12 to be its American curriculum partner, and they will be offering kindergarten through middle school courses. They will eventually have two campuses but are starting with one, the Jangjeon campus.

Justin Louder, Ed.D., interim superintendent for TTU K-12, says the administration is eager to get the partnership underway.

“We at TTU K-12 are excited to expand our international partnerships into South Korea and open up the program to ESI students,” Louder said. “The ESI program is a great academic partner and school.”

ESI has approximately 20 teachers on staff, who hold degrees in English, Spanish, computers, math, social studies and science.

The lead teacher and curriculum developer is Judd Carroll, a political science and history major from the University of North Texas and a Florida-certified teacher for grades 6-12 in English and social sciences. In June, Judd completed his Master of Education in Elementary Education with the inclusion of IB's Primary Years Programme (International Baccalaureate PYP) certification for children ages 3-12. He has taught at international schools in South Korea for the past five years. Additionally, Judd enjoys the business of education with nearly two decades of development experience.

“Our Texas roots run deep from private school partnerships to educational tours,” said Kim. “Students from our system have visited the Riverwalk in San Antonio, The Oasis in Austin, the Space Center in Houston, and the Dallas Zoo. Judd's father was a principal in Houston and has two sisters who teach in the Dallas suburbs, and he is a firm believer in Texas' educational offerings.”

Jared Lay is the director of Recruitment and International Partnerships for Texas Tech’s eLearning & Academic Partnerships. He has been overseeing TTU K-12’s international partnerships for about four years.

“ESI and its staff are dedicated to improving students’ lives, and that is a start to a perfect international partnership with TTU K-12,” Lay said.