The “Pure Joy of Creation” in William Lee’s Teaching Journey
| by Alex Skov
Switching careers is a major life decision. There are plenty of reasons that making the leap into teaching can feel intimidating, but it also offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact on young people since career changers with experience in other professions bring fresh ideas, unique perspectives, and practical experience into the classroom.
This is definitely the case for Hyun Gu “William” Lee, an educator based in Seoul, South Korea. While his professional path began with work in the world of corporate and professional design, Lee’s innate curiosity and passion for connecting people with ideas made teaching a natural next step.
Learning and Growing
Born in South Korea and raised in the vibrant, multicultural metropolis of Hong Kong, Lee grew up as a “third culture kid,” defined as a child raised in a culture different than that of their parents. As a result, he was exposed to global perspectives at an early age, helping shape his worldview as he earned both the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and international Baccalaureate (IB) diplomas in the international school system.
But Lee faced one major obstacle.
“Because English was my second language, the process of acquiring it was a significant challenge,” he shared.
Luckily, he found a helpful outlet.
“This struggle drew me toward a non-verbal language: art,” Lee said. “Art became my core communication tool and eventually revealed itself as my true vocation.”
Lee pursued an undergraduate degree in fine arts at Seoul National University, where he developed a “deeply analytical perspective” that would empower him to flourish as a creator. The foundation provided by the rigorous academic environment was pivotal.
“It taught me that art is not just a form of expression, but a sophisticated logic that can be applied to both culture and education,” Lee said.
Fascinated by the integration of fine art logic into pop culture, Lee began working for a web magazine that focused on visual culture before moving on to work in the entertainment industry and art galleries. These firsthand experiences gave him a front row seat to what he calls “the friction and harmony between the commercial and non-commercial sectors of the art world.”
But something was missing, even though Lee’s career was progressing along a traditional path.
“I felt an unfulfilled desire to pursue art in a more meaningful way,” he remembered. “During my time in the private sector, I discovered an altruistic side of myself. I realized that I find my greatest fulfillment when I am supporting and guiding others using my unique knowledge and passion.”
Combined with his belief that art is essential for human development (“At its core, art is about developing a new perspective to view the world, teaching us to think outside the box”), this gave Lee a logical springboard into the education world.
Family Inspiration and Moreland University
As Lee’s vision for changing careers was taking shape, his sister served as a major source of inspiration and motivation. As a successful international school teacher, she provided insights about the unique demands of the profession.
“She strongly recommended a U.S. teaching certification to meet global standards and specifically pointed me toward Moreland University,” Lee said.
Based on her own positive experience in Moreland’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program, Lee’s sister’s recommendation provided a clear, actionable path for him to follow.
“Moreland became the critical milestone of my transition,” Lee said. “Coming from a fine arts and corporate background, I was initially surprised by the depth of theory and empirical case studies that define modern education. The program forced me to deconstruct and rebuild my entire understanding of what teaching actually entails. It wasn’t just professional development; it was a significant expansion of my perspective as a human being.”
TEACH-NOW’s clinical practice (student teaching) module was particularly eye-opening for Lee.
“I was amazed to see how these evidence-based methods — which I had only read about — actually translated into student success,” he said. “Today, as a full-time teacher, I find myself naturally applying the strategies and pedagogical frameworks I mastered at Moreland. The program didn’t just give me a certificate; it gave me the professional confidence to witness my own growth as an educator in real-time.”
Influencing the Next Generation
Lee views his responsibilities as a teacher with a deep sense of duty, preparing students to enter a complex world and striving to teach genuine concepts about what it means to be human and having a meaningful coexistence. Of course, this sometimes allows him to connect his present with his past.
“Naturally, I find the most joy in teaching art. I especially love the moment when students take the methods of idea development I’ve shared and apply them in their own unique ways,” Lee shared. “They may begin by using my own body of knowledge as a foundation, but witnessing them branch out into their own distinctive, separate creative worlds always astonishes me.”
Lee plans to build on that ethos, for himself and for his students.
“My immediate goal is to solidify my career as an art educator by designing a curriculum that empowers students to find true autonomy in the creative process. Using the robust foundation in curricular design I gained at Moreland, I am now investigating how to scaffold the creative process through structured, incremental procedures that lead to sophisticated artistic outcomes,” Lee noted.
To support this process, Lee is seeking specialized workshops and professional development that will help him connect high-level pedagogical theories with his firsthand classroom experience.
“Ultimately, I aim to lead art departments that prioritize innovation and mentor students as they discover and master their own unique, non-verbal voices,” Lee said.
It’s a goal made possible by not only his U.S. teaching certification, but also by the experiences and perspectives instilled in him during childhood, all of which help shape the lessons he teaches today and drives him to continue growing.
“Seeing a student discover the pure joy of creation provides me with immense personal encouragement,” Lee shared. “It reminds me exactly why I chose this vocation: to help others find a language that transcends words.”
Moreland is ready to support you, your teaching goals, and your impact on student growth. Complete your free application to our 100% online 9-month TEACH-NOW Teacher Certificate Preparation Program or one of our 12-month master’s degree programs today. It takes less than 15 minutes to take this important step in your teaching journey.
