Cedar Bluff Middle School teacher chosen for Korean Studies

A Knox County Schools teacher has been selected by the Institute of International Education, to travel to South Korea this summer for the study of Korean culture.

Amy Melendy, a sixth grade social studies teacher at Cedar Bluff Middle School, is one of about 100 teachers from across the United States who will participate in the fully-funded program for middle school and high school social studies teachers

The Korean Studies Workshop provides educators with fully-funded study visits to Korea. This year educators will participate in an intensive 12-day workshop. Sponsored entirely by the Korea Foundation, the workshop is designed to enhance mutual understanding between the people of Korea and the United States.

Melendy, a Knoxville native and graduate of the University of Tennessee, has taught in Knox County for 29 years. The social studies department chair has been at Cedar Bluff middle school since 1981.

“I applied for the Korean study because I felt it would be a wonderful opportunity for me to actually experience Asian culture,” said Melendy. “I teach about ancient Asian cultures and religions and have always wanted to experience them. I was also interested in learning about the modern aspects of Korea.

“I was absolutely thrilled that I had been selected,” she said. “Words cannot convey my excitement when I received the email notifying me that I had been selected. I look forward to getting to know other educators from across the country and learn about other educational programs within our country as well as South Korea.”

Melendy leaves for Seoul, South Korea July 9 and returns July 24. She and the other members of the group will study at Yonsei University the first week. Most of the second week will be consumed with travel through South Korea.

“My greatest expectation for this trip is to absorb as much of the Korean culture as I possibly can so I can bring it back and share it with my students and colleagues,” said Melendy. “I feel it will be an unforgettable experience to be immersed within a culture that is thousands of years old.

“Providing my students with many hands on activities is an important aspect of my teaching style,” she said. I collaborate with the language arts and technology teachers for my Egyptian Unit. The students research and write a menu that features food customarily eaten in Egypt. At the end of the unit, the students bring in samples of food to share and their menus are displayed for all to see. I also coordinate a grade level Medieval Festival that is the culminating activity for that unit of study. Our Medieval Festival is one of the highlights of the year, involving over 200 students, teachers, parents, and community volunteers. Experiencing the culture and history of Korea first hand would greatly enhance my knowledge and enable me to incorporate medieval Asia into our festival.”

The workshop includes lectures, tours to cultural and industrial sites, and meetings with Korean educators and students. Lectures covering the politics, economy, history, culture, and society of Korea will be delivered in English by university professors or other experts.

The Korean Studies Workshop is sponsored by the Korea Foundation, an independent organization established in 1991 with the aim of enhancing Korea's image and reputation in the world through the promotion of various academic and cultural exchange programs. The Institute of International Education (IIE) administers workshop activities in the United States. Founded in 1919, IIE is an independent, non-profit organization committed to international education and exchange.