Man with dwarfism becomes teacher

Lee Jung-hoon

By Lee Ji-hye

A 25-year-old man suffering from achondroplasia was appointed as a special education teacher at a middle school on Wednesday.

Lee Jung-hoon, a graduate of special education at Changwon National University, was shorter than the average university student with a height of just 90 centimeters ― but had greater ambitions than many of his peers.

Lee graduated from elementary school in Seoul but chose to be homeschooled for middle and high school level.

After being admitted to Changwon National University, he scored excellent grades and was an active participant in his classes.

While being homeschooled for secondary education, Lee dreamed of becoming a special education teacher after graduation, which he achieved earlier this week. He is now a teacher at Gyeongeun School in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province.

His professors said that despite the looks he got from passersby, Lee pursued his dream to help people suffering from similar adverse conditions.

Lee said, “I made my mind up to be a special education teacher because I realized how strong an influence a teacher can have on a person's life. All the teachers that I have helped me physically and mentally have inspired me to follow in their steps.”

He added that he was particularly motivated by the teachers that showed him how he could overcome his disabilities.

Lee lost his mother during his years as a college student, “I always wanted to show her I achieved my dream of being a teacher, and to tell her that I loved her,” he said.

“Our nation’s policies regarding physically disabled people and facilities are indeed improving over time, but there is a lack of public awareness on the problems that still exist," he added.

“I'm going to be a teacher that guides people to think before pointing at and harassing physically disabled people, and work toward improving how we view things in society.”