For Dr. John Helgeson, some of the best parts of teaching happen in small, everyday moments. It might be seeing a student finally understand something, watching their confidence grow, or hearing from a former student who still remembers something that happened in his classroom years ago. Those moments make the difficult days worth it.
Dr. Helgeson teaches middle school history and English at Korea International School. While the classroom can be demanding, his students continue to give him a reason to come back excited each day.
“The world of education is constantly evolving, yet its foundation remains the same: helping students learn, grow, and succeed,” he says.
He finds joy in the morning greetings, the progress students make throughout the year, and the chance to celebrate their accomplishments along the way. Teaching is not always easy, but for Dr. Helgeson, the rewards have always outweighed the challenges.
His support system also reaches far beyond his school. Dr. Helgeson has been a KDP member for 16 years and has connected with educators from around the world. He has served on committees and the Executive Council, presented at KDP Convocations, and written several articles for KDP Record.
Those experiences have given him new ideas to bring into his classroom, but the relationships have meant the most.
“The KDP community feels like an extended family of educators,” Dr. Helgeson shares. “We celebrate one another’s successes, empathize with challenges, exchange ideas, and collaborate to navigate the complexities of teaching.”
He values having a community of people who understand both the rewarding and difficult sides of the profession. He also turns to resources such as the Teaching Channel and KDP publications for practical ideas and new perspectives. Knowing he has colleagues near and far to learn from has helped him stay encouraged throughout his career.
When he is not teaching, Dr. Helgeson enjoys being outdoors with his family. They train for triathlons together, so swimming, biking, and running are a regular part of their time together. He especially enjoys exploring a new neighborhood or city on foot or by bike. Moving at a slower pace gives him time to notice the people, history, and details that make each place different.
His curiosity also shows up in his love of travel. Dr. Helgeson enjoys learning about other cultures and visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites whenever he has the opportunity. At home, he is just as happy settling in with a good book and a cup of coffee or playing board games with family and friends at a local coffee shop.
Teaching, traveling, and connecting with other educators all give Dr. Helgeson opportunities to keep learning. That curiosity continues to shape the way he teaches and the energy he brings back to his students.
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