Hi, I’m Rée.
Growing up, I felt like the education system wasn’t built for people like me to succeed. As a student with undiagnosed neurodivergence, learning disabilities, and anxiety, I struggled to learn in the ways my peers learned.
In the decades following, I became an educator and taught in various classrooms around the world. I taught in public schools, private universities, large government funded programs, and small academies. I designed curriculum, measured student success, and even assessed teacher efficacy.
Then, while teaching a group of English language learners in South Korea, who like me, hadn’t received adequate attention in school, I realized I was using the same methodologies as the ones that had failed me.
homeroom is my attempt to remedy this on an international scale. To speak with as many people from around the world about their own education systems to rethink what schools can be. What it should be, when we design systems and metrics which are inclusive of more diverse types of learners and thinkers with varying levels of family involvement and access to resources.
In this episode, I speak with Choi, a journalist, YouTube star, and dad—about his recollections of being educated in both Korea and the UK. We talk about his early interests in art, his academic pursuits in genetics, and his career in news and media spanning two decades. We discuss the changes in the news and media landscape, whether or not journalism is a future-proof career, and what makes a good or bad story. We discuss the changes in the news and media landscape, whether or not journalism is a future-proof career, and what makes a good or bad story. (When I originally reached out to ask if he’d be interested in speaking with me, Choi said—and I quote—”I must warn you that I am quite boring and socially awkward.” And because I have never related more, I’m debating whether I should get this printed on a t-shirt or a hat.) Without further ado, here is an edited conversation between two self-proclaimed “socially awkward” people.
Check out our conversation on Spotify or Apple, and follow us on Instagram.
About Us
Born in Korea, and grew up in England. Studied genetics in London, but found a job as a newspaper journalist and stuck with it for nearly 20 years. My skills at complaining forged in 1990s English boarding schools and the Korean Army proved very helpful in those years. Spent the last three years trying to figure out social media without much success. The only thing worthwhile I am likely to do in this life is trying to be a handyman, cook – and if I am really lucky – a friend for my son. https://www.instagram.com/choihesuk/
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