Hello everyone! Today, I am excited to share a story about a wonderful educational community in South Korea: Galmae Elementary School and the vibrant city it calls home, Guri City.
1. Guri City: A Safe, Historic, and Well-Connected Hub
Galmae Elementary School is located in Guri City, Gyeonggi Province. Situated right next to Seoul, Guri is a key transportation hub connected by major expressways and subway lines (including Subway Line 8, the Jungang Line, and the Gyeongchun Line), making travel to Seoul and other regions fast and convenient. Though it is geographically compact, Guri is known as a "small but strong city". It consistently ranks at the top for safety, health, and living conditions in national safety index evaluations.
Guri is also rich in history and nature. It is home to Donggureung, the largest royal tomb cluster of the Joseon Dynasty and a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as Mount Achasan, famous for its ancient Goguryeo historic sites. From cherry blossom-lined streets in spring to beautiful spots along the Han River and Mount Achasan, Guri offers a clean, green, and safe environment for residents and visitors alike.
2. Galmae Elementary School: Growth, Care, and Excellence
Nestled in this wonderful city, Galmae Elementary School has a long and proud history since opening in 1945. Today, it serves over 1,200 students and includes an affiliated kindergarten, supporting early childhood through primary education.
The school operates under a inspiring educational goal: nurturing well-rounded children with upright character and wisdom, fostering creativity, encouraging individuality to fulfill dreams, and promoting healthy minds and bodies. Its school vision aims to build "A happy school for all of us," supported by caring teachers and respectful parents.
And its official symbols are the plum blossom (school flower) and the ginkgo tree (school tree).
As an official research school, Galmae Elementary School actively conducts research to improve educational methods and serves as a model training school for student teachers. Furthermore, the school provides extensive support and guidance for newly appointed and junior teachers, helping them grow into confident, skilled educators.
3. My Personal Experience as a Student Teacher
As a student teacher, I had the privilege of completing my teaching practicum at Galmae Elementary School last year, and I am thrilled to return there soon for another practicum. During my time at Galmae, I was deeply impressed by how remarkably clean and well-maintained the physical facilities were.
Even more inspiring was the atmosphere inside the school. The teachers were exceptionally warm, supportive, and dedicated. The collaborative environment and strong support system for educators make it a truly inspiring place to teach and learn.
If you would like to explore more about our school, please visit the official website at https://galmae-e.goegn.kr/galmae-e/main.do.
I am proud to share its story with you!
