There’s a steadiness to the way Director of DEI and math teacher Jannie Kim shows up at University, one that students describe as both warm and quietly powerful.
Junior Ava Deng describes Mrs. Kim as “welcoming,” someone who is always ready to listen, offer guidance, and make space for others. Senior Vidhatri Iyer thinks first of her confidence, describing a teacher and mentor who is both kind and unafraid to challenge students to think differently. Whether she is introducing a new perspective, sharing a hobby she has recently taken up, or encouraging students to keep an open mind, Mrs. Kim models the kind of curiosity that invites others in. As Vidhatri shared, “Sometimes the best way to stay curious is to disagree. Ms. Kim challenges us to see different perspectives and really think through every side.”
Her impact extends beyond the classroom as well. As assistant tennis coach, she has worked with students like senior Kothe Birge throughout their time at University. Reflecting on that experience, Kothe shared, “She encourages me to be myself while also pushing me to grow, simply by being the best version of herself with everyone.”
For Jannie, living the questions is not only about what she asks of her students, but what she continues to ask of herself. That mindset led her to pursue her Lilly Endowment Teacher Creativity Fellowship, Reconnecting Korea: A Personal Pilgrimage of Identity, Roots and Renewal. Through the experience, she will explore her heritage through cooking traditional Korean meals, traveling to experience modern Korean life, and deepening her understanding of Korea’s history and the many layers of its story.
At its core, the project is deeply personal. It is about reconnecting with her roots, better understanding her family’s story, and returning with a stronger sense of self. That inward work, she believes, matters in the classroom as well.
Reflecting on the role University has played in that journey, she shared, “I’ve never felt so supported at a school, not just in the pursuit of teaching, but in everything else I’ve wanted to do.”
At University, that support helps teachers grow not only in what they teach, but in who they are, and students feel that every day.
Help us reach our goal of $25,000 by Friday, April 3, during the “Thank You, Teachers” campaign. Make a gift to the U Fund in honor of the University teachers and mentors who inspire you today!