Teacher
Samil Korean Presbyterian Church

“When I first started classes at Brookhaven, I had to learn English better before I could do anything else. The language was a problem at first, and the education system is very different in America than it is in Korea. After a semester or two, I was more comfortable in my studies and could start the Child Development classes I was interested in.

“Some students get interested in Child Development because they think that it’s an easy job, but it’s not. It’s not babysitting. But I like teaching because I’m so interested in all of the different ways that kids learn. There’s never just one way to teach and learn.

“In my job, it’s important to be able to communicate with the kids and their parents in both English and Korean. My Child Development classes at Brookhaven not only prepared me to work with the kids, but also to be able to communicate with their parents. You have to be able to find ways to reach all children and also their parents. I also liked that at Brookhaven, I got to have direct contact with kids – it wasn’t just book study.”

Eun Young Jin emigrated with her family from Korea to the United States nine years ago. After improving her English through ESL classes, she earned an Associate in Applied Sciences Degree in Child Development and an Infant-Toddler Certificate at Brookhaven College.