Hello, everyone! I am the newest English teacher at Kyonggi Elementary School, and I would like to introduce myself. My name is Benjamin Ireland, and I was born in Manhattan, New York City. I have lived in South Korea for many years. I first moved here in 2013, and taught at an elementary school in Incheon. I also lived in Vietnam for two years, where I taught at a Korean International School. Today my main role at Kyonggi Elementary School is teaching 5th grade.
Outside of teaching, my passions are art and music. I love to draw, and in university I studied digital art and design. Before I became a teacher, I had a career as a graphic designer. While I lived in America, I played in many rock bands. I can play many musical instruments, but I’m best at guitar, bass, and drums. I’m always writing new music. I also enjoy playing chess. If you like chess, feel free to challenge me to a match during lunchtime!
I have traveled to many countries, and I think my most memorable adventure was a road trip driving around France and Spain visiting old castles. My favorite castle was the Château de Chambord, which uses geometry in a fascinating way, and features a famous double-helix staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci. My most recent trip was to Indonesia, where I observed Komodo dragons, and went snorkeling with all kinds of sea life, including manta rays and giant sea turtles.
My goal in life is to never stop learning. These days I’m learning a lot about health, fitness, and nutrition. I really like to cook, and it’s another way I’m able to explore creativity. Life is a never-ending journey of self-improvement, and that’s a philosophy I hope you all can adopt. Don’t be afraid of failure. You can’t succeed if you don’t try!