Ms Terry Kim, with a history of teaching at Korean international schools, is Dwight’s MYP Media and DP Film teacher as of the beginning of the 2025-2026 term. As a newer member of the community, she gives us the opportunity to learn more about her as we begin our second semester.
Ms Terry was born in the United States of America, which is also where she completed all of her higher education. As a child, she first attended an international school in Indonesia before returning to Seoul to graduate from an international high school. As a result of this multicultural upbringing, she speaks Korean and English fluently, with varying skill levels in French, Chinese, and Italian. When asked about her hobbies, Ms Terry gave a very unique response — one “that often gets raised eyebrows” — is her love of cemeteries, dissection, and human anatomy. She proceeded to share her adoration for literature and film; “I try to read and watch films and walk as much as I can as a working mom of two.”
Upon finishing graduate school, Ms Terry worked in the movie industry, as she had believed it would be her dream job. However, as she experienced the reality of the work involved, she began to broaden her horizons, taking up teaching at an international school. “I realized that this was what I loved: being with students, and surrounding myself with young minds,” she reflects.
True to form, Ms Terry’s favorite part of working with Dwight also comes from love for her students: “I can pass any student in the hallway, and 9 times out of 10, regardless of the year or whether or not I teach the student, the student will smile back at me.” Another feature of this school that separates it from others, she reflects, is its ability to make concepts such as that of BJEDI something tangible, promoted and valued in how it enriches the community instead of “just something to slap on a feel-good poster.”
Ms Terry shares her desires as a teenager in high school: “I said I wanted to change the world — somehow.” Every day, she inspires students to become filmmakers and nurtures appreciation for literature as she supports the youths around her; in doing so, she vicariously accomplishes her childhood dream.
Finally, Ms Terry sends a message of love and hope to her community as we begin the new year. “Thank you for letting Dwight become my home. Let’s finish strong!”
Leave a Reply