Harborfields Hosts South Korean Education Officials

Harborfields High School in the Harborfields Central School District welcomed 26 visitors from South Korea. The guests included two officers from the Ministry of Education, education officers from each of the 16 South Korean provinces, senior researchers from the Korean Educational Development Institute, master teachers, and a journalist. 

The purpose of the visit was to give South Korean education officials an opportunity to learn about providing differentiated instruction and curriculum at the high school level in order to accommodate individual student needs and interests. The visitors were eager to explore the special education and career and technical education (CTE)/alternative programs at an American school district.

The guests toured classrooms and spoke to teachers, students, and parents throughout the day. “Our guests were enthusiastic in their praise as they commented upon the dedication of our teachers, creativity of our students, and support of our parents,” said Principal Dr. David Bennardo. “It is inspiring to note that although the general condition of public education has been criticized by state and national officials, our foreign visitors recognized the quality of the Harborfields learning family.”

Photo above: Assistant Principal Robert Kelly, Nassau BOCES administrator and St. John’s University adjunct professor John Kalaboukas, Principal Dr. David Bennardo, and St. John’s University associate professor Dr. Seokhee Cho welcome supervisors from the Ministry of Education in South Korea, researchers at the Korean Educational Development Institute, and officers from the metropolitan cities of Ulsan and Seoul in South Korea.

Story & photo by Alison DeMaria