Since he was in seventh grade, Jeff Park ’13Ed aspired to become
a teacher. Now, more than 15 years later, he’s well on his way to
fulfilling his dream.
Park’s long path toward his ultimate goal — becoming a guidance
counselor — began when a favorite teacher demonstrated the positive
impact an educator can have on young lives. “It was my social
studies teacher,” Park recalls. “He really connected with my
classmates and me. It was inspiring. Ever since then, I had a
burning desire to become a teacher.”
Park excelled in his studies throughout high school. By the time
he graduated, however, he seemed to be driving off the path he had
carved out for himself. “As a first-generation American from a
Korean family, I’d always known that academics meant everything in
our household,” he said. “Once I graduated from high school, I
really needed a break.”
Choosing to take a hiatus from academics, he pursued a number of
different careers over a span of five years. Park slowly realized
that the world from which he was shying away was actually where he
belonged. “I just didn't enjoy what I was doing those five years,
so I went back to my first love — education,” he said.
After earning an associate degree at Queensboro Community
College, Park attended an open house for prospective students at
St. John’s University. “What impressed me most about St. John’s,”
he said, “was that all the students knew what they wanted to do in
life — and what they needed to do to get there.”
Park’s decision to attend the University was cemented after he
met with
Charisse Willis ’89SVC, ’91MS, ’95PD, Associate Dean for
Undergraduate Studies in The School of
Education. “She told me, ‘I’m going to get to know you. I’m
going to know your name.’ Now that I’m a student here, I know she
wasn’t kidding.”
Today, Park, 28, is a student-teacher of seventh-grade social
studies at The Queens
School of Inquiry, a job he truly relishes. “Yes, it can be
challenging,” he said. “But I’d do anything to help the kids
succeed.”
Park’s dedication to his students mirrors his devotion to his
church and his charitable work. “My faith in God encourages me to
give back to the community,” he said, “so the Vincentian mission
was instilled in me long ago. I still teach Sunday school, I’ve
been a mentor to youth, and soon I’ll be going on my first Midnight
Run with Campus Ministry.”
Park, who was raised by his grandmother while his parents worked
to save money for a house, is familiar with the challenges many of
his students face. “Sometimes,” he noted, “they don’t have a father
figure at home, or their mom may be working two jobs, so I’ll
assist them as much as I can. Even if they have a question
about something in math or science, I’ll figure out the answer and
do what I can to help.”
Park knows his decision to return to the world of education was
a wise one. “I love the student-teacher interaction,” he said.
“There’s this moment that happens when the students finally get
what you are trying to teach them. It’s indescribable. It’s in that
moment when you realize why you are doing what you’re doing.”