Honor Society® member
Crystal Cho Jones
EFL Teacher at Friends Kindergarten Academy, Daejeon, South Korea -Currently teaching English conversation, reading, writing, phonics, and content-based or content-theme language instruction to students from various backgrounds and levels -Teaching English language development to students ages four through seven using GrapeSEED franchise
- Master's of Education in Special Education
- Class of 2023
- Daejon, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea
Member since May 2020
About
I'm currently a freshman at Indiana University in the Master's of Education Graduate Program focused on Special Education. I'm studying abroad in South Korea to do my fieldwork and research in special education and comparing special education with the United States education system. Since my father passed four years ago, I have no family or support and live independently with my two cats. I'm an EFL teacher at a Kindergarten academy in Daejeon, South Korea teaching English as a foreign language to Korean students and special needs students. I also train teachers, presented at conferences throughout Korea, and is a member of the Korean Tesol (KoTESOL) organization in creating a space for students with disabilities and neurodiversity in the classrooms. I'm a disabled non-binary asexual living in a country that doesn't recognize my rights and humanity, same-sex marriage is illegal, and I must hide my identity from my work, school, and most people in fear of losing my job. I must also hide my disability of chronic pain, dyscalculia, and autism because many locals are not supportive of disabled individuals and I can also lose my job.
Education
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indiana university-bloomington
special education
2019 – 2023
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Western Illinois University
sociology and religious studies/ arts and anthropology
2011 – 2014
Honors and awards
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dean's list
Dean's List at Western Illinois University 1/2012 and 1/2013
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dean's list
National Dean's List at Ivy Tech Community Community College 8/2005-5/2006
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phi theta kappa honor society
2012-2014
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golden key honor society
president 11/2013-5/2014, member since 2012
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mortar board
vice-president 9/2013-5/2014, member since 2013
Goals and interests
- Career goal
Special or Gen Ed teacher, EFL/ESL teacher/instructor, school counselor, or teacher trainer in special education, life skills support coach for disabled people
- Graduate school interests
Studying abroad to do fieldwork and research for my graduate program in South Korea. I hope to pursue a Ph.D. in Psychology and Neuroscience after my Master's and continue my research abroad in South Korea.
- Outside the classroom
My hobbies are reading, writing/poetry, philosophy, the fine arts, and performing arts, studying sociology, anthropology, religious studies, biology, and neuroscience. I'm a philomath.
Experience
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EFL Teacher
Friends Kindergarten Academy, Daejeon, South Korea -Currently teaching English conversation, reading, writing, phonics, and content-based or content-theme language instruction to students from various backgrounds and levels -Teaching English language development to students ages four through seven using GrapeSEED franchise
Feb 2019 – Jan 2021
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EFL Teacher
Andong National University Language Center, Andong, South Korea -Taught English conversation, content-based or content-theme language instruction to students from various backgrounds and levels -Created detailed lesson plans, designed and managed textbooks for the school year, created PPTs, assignments, and projects towards learning English -Taught themed ESL classes in Performing Arts, Ethics, Cooking, Library, Hair Salon, P.E., and Science with a focus on daily conversations and roleplaying -Participated and created special programs during the summer and winter -Taught grammar, speaking, listening, reading, and writing -Participated and organized local non-profit programs: Spring 2016, 2017, and 2018 festival of Andong Continuing Education and Teaching Workshops
Feb 2016 – Jan 2019
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English Tutor
-Participated as a personal tutor for a Korean family, Korean children K-12, and college students at my university and abroad in South Korea -Assisted with language skills, reading, writing, communication, and proofreading/editing writing assignments and research papers
Dec 2011 – Nov 2020
Volunteering
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Pride Night and Daejeon Drag ShowOrganizer creating a safe space for the LGBTQIA community in the businesses of Daejeon, South Korea
Daejeon LGBTQIA+ Community Organization
Jun 2019 – Jul 2020
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-Participated and organized local non-profit programs: Spring 2016, 2017, and 2018 festival of Andong Continuing Education and Teaching Workshops
Andong National University
Apr 2016 – Apr 2018
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-Fundraiser for local schools in Macomb, IL to collect used books to donate to school libraries. -Fundraiser for canned food to donate to local pantries for Macomb, IL food drive -Mortar Board Leadership Program in Atlanta, GA to build leaders and followers towards the academics and leadership in our Alma Mater and students
Mortar Board Senior Honor Society
May 2013 – May 2014
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Volunteer -Lectured at the Macomb Junior High School in Macomb, IL for their “International Day” on South Korea -Lectured for the Agriculture class on South Korean culture and agriculture, comparisons of North and South, and South Korean education at Western Illinois University
Phi Beta Delta International Honor Society
May 2013 – May 2014
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Volunteer -Organized “College Student for a Day,” gave a tour to local high school students of Western Illinois University campus, set up a luncheon, informed students on: college life and majors (information table for Religious Studies), honor societies, scholarships, what college can do for future students for Spring 2012 and Spring 2014
National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Feb 2013 – May 2014
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-Organized “Global Youth Service Day; The Places You Go Through Reading” Spring 2013 -Participated in/sponsored in the Food and Culture Club “The Quest” lecture of studying abroad in South Korea at Western Illinois University Fall 2013 -Participated in/sponsored in the McDonough County United Way “Imagination Ball Gala” that supports and encourages “Literacy for Children” for the Children and Families in Macomb, Illinois Spring 2014
Golden Key Honor Society
Nov 2012 – May 2014
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Volunteer and Guest Speaker -Participated in the "Take Back the Night" March and Rally in Macomb, Illinois October 22, 2012 and guest speaker at the October 22, 2013 rally, in an effort to increase awareness of, and seek to end, dating and domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and other forms of sexual and power-based interpersonal violence, as well as to remember and honor victims and survivors
Western Illinois University Women’s Center and the Western Illinois Regional Council-Community Action Agency (WIRC-CAA) Victim Services Program
Oct 2012 – Oct 2013
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Volunteer -A Study Abroad supporter, recruiting students to Study Abroad through Western Illinois University Study Abroad programs -Studied abroad in Northern India and South Korea -Provided and organized information: workshops, educational lectures on my experiences abroad, scholarships to support studying abroad, what to take and not take, what to expect and prepare, etc. -Participated in the Study Abroad and Activities Fair’s for the Study Abroad table and Stories of India table -Created a community for foreign and Western students to communicate, learn, and build relationships and networks -Visited classes as a guest speaker at Western Illinois University to give informative talks about studying abroad and how it will benefit their academics and future careers
Western’s Ambassadors of Study Abroad Club (WASA)
Jan 2012 – May 2014
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Volunteer -Participated in the International Conversation Partner with Korean and Japanese students -Met students once or twice a week to discuss cultural differences, school and home life, personal interests, culture shock, academics, and how to fit in with the community -Assisted in their language skills and communication, giving them practice learning English through language exchange sessions
Western Illinois University WESL Program
Sep 2011 – Sep 2013
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Volunteer -Organized the International Bazaar Thailand Booth -Participated in the MAASU Conference and workshops in Champaign Urbana, IL -Educated students about Asian and Asian American history and cultures
Asian American Student Association
Aug 2011 – May 2013
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-Fundraiser “Socks for Soldiers” for U.S. Soldiers who were deployed in Afghanistan -Created posters and flyers for Western Illinois University Mock Election -Participated in the Western Illinois University Art Department’s Bi-Annual Juried Exhibition
Kappa Pi International Art Fraternity
Aug 2011 – May 2012
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-Public sit-down creating awareness of homelessness in America, "Boxes for Change" city created by the local college students who sat outside in boxes raising money to donate to the local food pantries and non-profit organizations helping the needy
Campus Students for Christ
Aug 2011
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Secretary -Southeastern Community College chapter in Keokuk, IA- board member, organized and visited the Student Legislative Seminar in Des Moines, Iowa where students represented the Southeastern Community College in getting government and state support for community colleges in Iowa and their importance for students and families who come from low-income backgrounds
Southeastern Community College Student Board
Sep 2010 – Jul 2011
Languages
- English (US) Fluent
- Korean Beginner
