Our A-KEEP Fan - Thank you, Mrs. Jihwa Restad.

Learners are eager to show what they have learned in Mrs. Restad’s Korean class

Jihwa Restad began her journey with A-KEEP three years ago, in the summer of 2018. A mother of two Korean-American daughters, she wanted to find a good summer program for them. That’s when she found A-KEEP’s STARTALK summer Korean language program. Her daughters could join and become peer tutors to non-heritage students and improve their Korean. As her daughters learned, her oldest even joined the Korean Community KSL class, Mrs. Restad became more and more interested in A-KEEP and its mission. So, in 2019 she became a full-time volunteer through AmeriCorps VISTA Program. For a year, she brought office management skills to help build A-KEEP’s capacity. When she ended her AmeriCorps contract, she was able to put her Segal Education Award towards continuing her education and currently pursuing her 2nd Bachelor’s degree at AUM.  

Learners greet Mrs. Restad every morning with a traditional Korean bow.

But she wasn’t done there. Not only does Mrs. Restad take classes, care for two teenage daughters and her husband, but since the fall of 2020 she has been tirelessly working at Pike Road Elementary school where she teaches second and third graders Korean. Her enthusiasm and classroom management create a student-centered environment and learners can’t wait to use the proper Korean cultural bow to say “an-nyeong-ha-seyo (안녕하세요)” or hello to her every morning as they enter her classroom. A-KEEP is grateful that Mrs. Restad continues her journey with us and brings all her talents, skills, service and dedication to our mission!

A-KEEP currently provides Korean language and culture programs at various schools from Elementary to Junior High School and a hybrid-program for the community. This upcoming academic year, A-KEEP is expanding curricula to provide an accredited high school Korean program. To learn more about our Korean programs please visit: A-KEEP KSL K-12 Programs and Community Programs.   

By Brittany Payne