homeroom

homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation.

In this episode, I speak with Jae—an educator, journalist, project manager, and dad—about his education journey spanning multiple countries including the United States, Japan, Russia, and South Korea. We talk about his earliest memories of learning to manage and harness the power of anger, and how some traumatic experiences throughout his life tempered his control over his emotions. We also talk about the future of education, and what he hopes the road will look like for his daughters.

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more. ⁠https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed⁠

You can also find an auto-generated transcript of this conversation on https://www.homeroomed.com

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Jae is an educator with over 20 years of professional experience in various fields. With a diverse career encompassing roles as a Trainer, Government Employee of the Korean Ministry of Education, Law Educator, TV reporter, and Journalist, Jae excels in innovative problem-solving and adaptable project management. Serving as a Strategy and Development Manager at the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), Jae leverages his extensive experience in these areas to drive organizational growth and excellence. His educational credentials include a Juris Doctor Degree from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Korea, and a Specialist Degree in Journalism from Saint Petersburg State University in Russia.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaemyoungshin/

Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection.

https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian

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References:

Inspired by the 18th-century Prussian schooling reform, many education systems today continue to subscribe to its key features: a prescriptive national curriculum that necessitates standardized testing, compulsory attendance for students who are grouped into those of similar ages, and teachers who are trained to prepare students to meet specific economic needs. However, the sociopolitical conditions of today are drastically different from the industrial demands of yesterday. Our financial markets have globalized, cultures have evolved, family dynamics have modernized, and opportunities for social mobility have diversified with the exponential advances in technology. Isn’t it time to reevaluate how our education systems must adapt to adequately prepare our children for the opportunities of tomorrow?

Over the past 10 months, I spoke with people representing 27 countries across 6 continents to examine the shifting perspectives on education practices, globally. Using the human-centered design framework to facilitate and process these interviews, I asked lots of big questions, and received amazing responses. In this season finale, I’ll share five emerging insights, and what opportunities they reveal about the shifts we need to make for meaningful reform to occur.

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Reference List

Brown, B. (2012). Daring greatly: How the courage to be vulnerable transforms the way we live, love, parent, and lead. Gotham Books.

Dweck, C. S. (2017). Mindset: The new psychology of success (updated edition). Ballantine Books.

Duckworth, A. (2016). Grit: The power of passion and perseverance (updated edition). Scribner.

Epstein, D. J. (2019). Range: Why generalists triumph in a specialized world. Riverhead Books.

hooks, b. (1994). Teaching to transgress: education as the practice of freedom. Routledge.

Rée. (Host). (2023–present) homeroom the podcast ****[Audio podcast series]. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homeroom/id1696451338

homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation.

In this episode, I speak with Michiko—a mom, wife, and cultural chameleon—about her education journey spanning multiple countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, South Korea, and the United States. We talk about her earliest memories growing up in a home filled with caring family members, and how her varied schooling experiences influenced her self view. We also discuss how the way her brain works differed from those of her peers, and what changes the mass education model can make to better accommodate for people with like needs.

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more.

https://www.homeroomed.com

https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed

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@michikohn, is an Indonesian who partially grew up in Malaysia, and spent her teens attending an international school. She met her husband, from Twin Falls, in South Korea. She loves traveling, taking walks under the sun and the shade of trees, playing with her daughter, enjoying her house plants, and hanging out with her husband, and cats. Quotes she lives by are: “Love mother nature” “Live sincerely, appreciate life,” and “Treat others how you want to be treated.”

https://www.instagram.com/michikohn

Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection.

https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian

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References:

homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation.

In this episode, I speak with Stella—a fashion and film enthusiast who is currently in grad school studying cognitive psychology—about her winding journey across varying interests and industries. We talk about her early experiences of leaving her home of South Korea to study in a country where she couldn’t speak the language, with homestay parents whose culture was drastically different from that of her own Korean family’s. We discuss the influence her parents had on helping her find a suitable career trajectory, the importance of experimenting on your own, and how being open to your own curiosity is the most insightful data of all.

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more.

https://www.homeroomed.com

https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed

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Stella has studied, lived, and worked in multiple countries including South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. With interests in makeup art, fashion design, and psychology, Stella has found the film industry to be the focus that unites them. As a former Daechi-kid, and a current student studying cognitive psychology in grad school, Stella believes in the power of education to connect us all.

Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection.

https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian

homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation.

In this episode, I speak with Antonio—a former teacher, self-directed learning center founder, and current dad—about his experience moving through the education system as someone who’s considered intelligent. We talk about the evolution behind his definition of intelligence, and what his turning point was before establishing a school of his own. We share a bit about our thoughts on youth autonomy, and how society might need to change to make student-centered education a reality.

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more.

https://www.homeroomed.com

https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed

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Antonio Buehler (he/him) is currently at home on saddadical taking care of his newborn baby. For the prior seven years, he led Abrome, a Self-Directed Education community in Austin, TX, that prioritizes youth autonomy, community care, and individual and collective flourishing. Antonio’s work at Abrome was an expression of his desire to challenge, undermine, and create alternatives to oppressive systems. Antonio’s prior experiences teaching and mentoring young people, assisting candidates in applying to college and MBA programs, and organizing communities to stand up to police abuse helped prepare him for his work with Abrome. Antonio was the first in his family to graduate high school or attend college.

https://www.instagram.com/abromeed/

https://twitter.com/AntonioBuehler

Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection.

https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian

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References:

homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation. 

In this episode, I speak with Jenna—a writer, world traveler, mom, and former mayor—about the lasting impacts of imposter’s syndrome, perfectionism, and the difficulty of divorcing our self worth from the value we provide for others. We talk about our childhood challenges, the people who believed in us when we didn’t, and the poignant lessons we learned about ourselves by being honest with our therapists. 

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more.

https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed/

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A Korean adoptee, Jenna grew up in Pennsylvania and fell in love with small towns during her time as a student and young professional in central PA. After several years serving as a student affairs administrator in higher education, Jenna was elected as Mayor of her small town in 2017. After an unexpected journey into her origin story and reconnecting with her birth family, Jenna and her family moved to South Korea in July 2023. "Mayor" Jenna now spends her time writing and exploring. 

https://www.instagram.com/mayor.jenna.explores

Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection.

https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian/

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References:

1. Running on Empty by Jonice Webb, PhD (book)

2. Polyvagal Theory by Stephen Porges and Polyvagal Ladder by Deb Dana (mental health regulation frameworks)

homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation.

In this episode, I speak with Miche—an entrepreneur, intrapreneur, investor, and mentor—about her journey navigating 7 majors in undergrad, and 7 careers post grad across multiple industries. We talk about the importance of encouraging a sense of curiosity and exploration in our children, and what teachers and parents can do at home and at school to achieve it. We also discuss the paradigm shift from our parent’s generation to ours in thinking about careers, and what our children can do to make sure they develop the skills required to find success after school.

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more.

https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed/

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7 careers from art teacher to owning an insurance brokerage to building software products as a product manager. Currently an entrepreneur, startup advisor, investor, and mentor. Creator of the ‘Unstuck in 15’ decision making framework. Wife and mother of two amazing, grown humans. Miche writes weekly essays on Substack

She can also be found on twitter at @michepriest

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Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection.

https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian/

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References:

homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation.

In this episode, I speak with Maryn—a writer, artist, and entrepreneur—about the long-lasting impact of the elementary school we both attended, and how more mainstream schools could benefit by adopting some of its core principles and practices. We talk about the competitive nature of schools, and how damaging such cultures can be to our health and wellness, and how a more collaborative approach can raise a generation of lifelong learners who are civically engaged and contribute to their communities in mutually beneficial ways.

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more.

https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed/

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Maryn is an Artist and Owner of Kawaii Craft Shop where she makes cute keepsakes from polymer clay. She loves to celebrate her Asian identity and honor her Mom’s joyful and creative spirit in her work.

https://www.instagram.com/kawaiicraftlady/

https://kawaiicraftshop.com

Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection.

https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian/

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References:

homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation.

In this episode, I speak with Christine, a storytelling consultant, educator, and thus unsurprisingly, a voracious reader—about her journey from attending a Swiss boarding school, attending university in the United States, and raising her children in The Netherlands. We talk about how life on the road had impacted her sense of identity, and what she did to reclaim her story as its protagonist.

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more.

https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed/

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Christine Tsai Taylor is a writer, storytelling consultant, and diversity specialist. The biracial daughter of a Taiwanese mother and American father, Christine grew up in the US, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. She moved to Edmonton in July 2021 after seventeen years in The Netherlands. Her Substack newsletter is Wondering.

https://www.instagram.com/storycraftnl/

https://storycraft.substack.com/

Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection.

https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian/

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References:

homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation.

In this episode, I speak with Marwa, a professor and doctor of implant dentistry, and fellow English teacher about the impact that teachers have on their students, and how the best ones change lives. We talk about the personas we’ve developed to help us grow new skills and interests, as well as the teachers who’ve made positive influences in our lives. We also discuss the one trait that all good teachers have, and how that can make all the difference.

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more.

https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed/

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Marwa is a professor of Implant Dentistry, and English teacher who helps medical professionals speak English with clarity and confidence. She is also a TESOL-certified English coach who has worked with hundreds of national and international English learners, assisting them with achieving breakthroughs in their careers.

https://www.marwanawawy.com/docful-wp

https://www.instagram.com/marwa_nawawy/

Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection.

https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian/

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References: