What do you think of adolescents who are of regular school? Many of us may have view them as possible Juvenile delinquents or at least we are apt to think they are not normal.
    There was a person who wanted to be a teacher for dropouts. He did it without prejudice and established a small school in the countryside. Surprisingly, 13 years later the application rate for that high school is over 6 to 1. Even many students who have good grades in regular middle school want to be his student. How did he create such a reputable school? That man, the principal of the school, is a Chungnam alumni who majored in agriculture. His name is Yoon Byung-hoon Let's meet him now.

 

CP : What is the relationship between agriculture and education? You majored in agriculture, you were ordained after graduating from CNU and then you became a teacher.

Yoon : Those two things have something in common: taking care of life. Though I majored in agriculture, I want to work in human education rather than plant cultivation. That's why I decided to become a teacher after graduating from university. While I was teaching students in regular school, the organization of Catholic priests asked me to become the first principal of the alternative school. I thought that's what I have to do as a farmer, Priest or teacher.

 

CP : Actually a lot of people still have negative thoughts about alternative schools. Haven't you also had those thoughts about students that are juvenile delinquents entering your school?

Yoon : Never. No one is born a juvenile delinquent. When talking about teenagers who are dropping out of school, most people think they are wrong, bur it is an absolute fact that their parents or someone who could take care of them are probably in the wrung. I think 'Alternative school' doesn't mean a school for students who cannot follow the regular curriculum. It is just another school different from regular schools.

 

CP : How is your school different from regular high school?

Yoon : We give freedom to students in their activities. There are no regulations made by teachers in school. Instead, we allow students to govern themselves. That's because it is important for teenagers to improve spontaneously. We climb mountains regularly. It is not easy to climb, but after climbing to the summit so many times, they can be more confident and feel a sense of achievement. As life climbing a mountain, students can learn life lessons from hiking. We also let them farm. It is to show them that thrir efforts come to fruition in the end. Through all these experiences, students can control themselves. In addition, they are able to find their own way and try to do what they want to do.

 

CP : Did students follow the unfamiliar curriculum obediently from the beginning?

Yoon : Well, students are also encouraged to organize themselves and teachers try to understand how the students feel. Though teachers had difficulty adjusting to our educational philosophy during the initial five-year period, we overcame the difficulties consideration for others.

 

CP : I'm quite envious of the peaceful and eco-friendly atmosphere here. If someone who graduates from normal high school sees your school, he or she would also feel like me, I think. I heard many regular high school teachers have recently observed classes.

Yoon : Yes. I am glad perceptions of alternative school are changing. There should nor be a conflict between normal and alternative. Each school should make the must of their own features. If that is done, students will have the right to choose a suitable school?

 

CP : How can be a teacher of alternative school like you?

Yoon : There is no special way to become a teacher here. When we need new teachers, we ask the local education office. After they receive applicants for teachers ar school, we hire a new teacher after they have an interview.

 

CP : Could you tell us your opinion about what kind of education is desirable?

Yoon : As I mentioned, a teacher is similar to a farmer in the way that he takes care of life. Teachers should aim ar fostering well-rounded personalities and look beyond just conveying knowledge to students.

 

    While seeing some smiling students on the playground through the window, I thought if it had not been for him, they would be still outside, I appreciate a Person who can think of teenagers outside the borders of regular school.

   

By Kim Rang CP Reporter
diana@cnu.ac.kr

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