Sunhye Park, professor of science education at North Carolina State College of Education, believes the goal of working with graduate students is much like the ultimate goal of raising a child. Increase independence and support the development of knowledge, skills and confidence.
Her work in helping students prepare to excel in their future careers as independent researchers led her to be recently selected as the recipient of the North Carolina Alumni Association Distinguished Graduate Teaching Award, which recognizes outstanding graduate-level teaching across the university. His achievements were praised.
“Winning the Alumni Association Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award means a lot to me. It recognizes not only my own contributions, but also the recognition of former and current students who have advanced STEM education through academic rigor and innovative practices at North Carolina State and beyond. It means that the contributions of our graduate students have been recognized,” Park said. “This award is a testament to the privilege I have had to support them and lay the foundation for them to become key catalysts for positive change in STEM education in their respective career paths. It inspires generations of scholars and STEM educators, while also motivating me to continue pursuing excellence in all aspects of my work.”
Park’s research focuses on science teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), which research shows is important for effective teaching. Although her research work primarily focuses on her PCK in middle school and high school science classrooms, she says she makes a conscious effort to apply the insights gained through her research to her own teaching. said.
She said her research findings inform her pedagogical reasoning and guide her instructional decisions to stimulate and sustain students’ intellectual growth.
These discoveries also prompt her to reflect on her own education.
“Reflection plays an important role in developing sophisticated PCK, and I actively incorporate reflective practices into my teaching. Informed by ongoing reflection and research activities, I , I will continue to refine my teaching practices and evolve as a teacher educator,” Park said. “My research serves as a valuable resource that informs and enhances my teaching practice, allowing me to create meaningful learning experiences for my students.”
Park consistently reflects on her teaching practice and said one of the most rewarding aspects of her role is having conversations with students who challenge her own thinking.
“I especially value the moments when students challenge my ideas and offer fresh perspectives that I might not have thought of otherwise, rather than just accepting my ideas. , which not only fosters the professional growth of my students, but also greatly enriches my own growth as a scholar and science educator,” she said.