Twinkle Teachers
A PROFESSIONAL TEAM.
At Twinkle Mapo, we care about the quality of our classes. We hire the best teachers who are trained before they start to ensure lessons are taught at the highest standard. Our teachers are native English speakers from South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. Our teachers are not only hired based on their skills, but their character also.
A Team of Professionals
Background Checks
The first candidates are selected through a thorough background check with their Resume/CV, cover letters, and demo teaching videos. All of our teachers are picked from the seven English speaking countries. We require our staff to be experienced teachers. All of the teachers who are picked go through background verification and must have a clean background.
Interviews
Candidates who are chosen go through multiple in-depth interviews to review their knowledge and experiences. Only the best candidates reach this stage. We make sure these candidates exceed our expectations and will provide the students with the best education. We hire teachers that not only are dedicated, caring, knowledgeable, and fun, but ones that will challenge our students and push them to their potential and help them grow well.
Training
Our teachers go through in-depth and extensive training upon arrival to the academy. This training is conducted with both the managers and other experienced teachers to ensure the quality. They learn about our values and vision, special teaching methods, curriculum, and program. During this time, the teachers also starting building their foundation and bond with the students.
Continuous Support
The learning never stops for our teachers. To ensure the best quality, we continue to provide support to our teachers through a variety of ways. This includes:
1) Weekly meetings with abundant discussion and shared ideas
2) Thorough in-depth training sessions throughout the year
3) Regular in-class monitoring and inspection
4) Quarterly teacher evaluations
We always continue to grow and develop.
See what Andrew and Brian, the founders of Twinkle, have to say about the teachers we hire.
Meet The Twinkle AP Team
Advisor
Dr. Stephen J. Bagnato
Advisor
Yong Tae Kwon
Professor, School of Medicine, Seoul National University
Advisor for English-language Science Education
Professor Kwon is an experienced medical educator and curriculum specialist who translates complex scientific concepts into age-appropriate, inquiry-driven lessons. Fluent in English and Korean, he advises on elementary science curriculum design, teacher training, hands-on experiments, and language-integrated instruction to build vocabulary, critical thinking, and communication skills. Reliable and student-centered, he provides tailored curriculum reviews, workshops, and resource development for schools and language academies.
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Head Teacher
Ms. Nelly
Hello, my name is Anell Boshoff, but you can call me Nelly. I am a teacher from Cape Town, South Africa. I graduated from Stellenbosch University, double majoring in Ancient cultures and Psychology and minoring in English Literature. I then studied education and started my teaching career. I taught in Thailand and then in Incheon, South Korea. I am now permanently living in Seoul with my two cats. When I’m not teaching, I am building puzzles and gardening. I also love cooking for my friends and hosting dinner parties. I love spending time with people and making others feel special. I live everyday positivity and with a smile on my face. I try to make my students happy too, and get them excited to learn about the world we live in. I’m so excited to work hard with my students and see how much they grow, as the quote goes: “Teachers plant seeds that will grow forever”.
Elementary Teacher
Mr. Jonny
Hi! My name is Jonny and I am from the west coast of Canada. I have been in Korea since 2023, and I absolutely love it here. I play lacrosse in Korea, and I am a huge hockey fan, so I really like to talk about sports. I’m very excited to teach at Twinkle, and I hope everyone is excited to learn!
Elementary Teacher
Mr. Cameron
Hi, my name is Cameron, and I was born and raised in London, England. However, my whole family are Spanish and its from there that I got all my passion for cooking, music, and sports. I've spent years working as a Physics teacher and am fascinated by the world we live in and its marvels. This fascination is also mirrored by my love of literature and fantasy, and in spite of all my various interests and hobbies, theres nothing like sitting down with a cup of coffee and a good book. I've always loved teaching, and continuously strive to be the best educator I can be, and to inspire the minds of those around me.
Elementary Teacher
Ms. Hana
Hello! I'm Hana, and I'm originally from Cape Town, South Africa. I completed a triple major in English Literature, Language and Communication Studies, and Psychology, with a special focus on child psychology, neuropsychology and psychopathology. I've always been drawn to understanding how children think, grow, and make sense of the world around them. Reading is my favorite hobby, and it's what first sparked my love for language and learning. I truly believe that when you can read a word, you can read the world! In my classroom, I try to create a gentle and supportive space where students feel safe to be curious, to make mistakes, and to grow with confidence. I believe that every child carries a universe inside them, and education is the key that helps them unlock it. I’m so grateful to be part of the Twinkle AP Mapo community and to walk alongside my students as they discover their own potential!
Elementary Teacher
Ms. Skyler
Hello! I am a new teacher at Twinkle. I have been teaching in Korea for the past three years, and before that, I taught at an early development program in my hometown. I am from a small state in America called Connecticut. I enjoyed living there, surrounded by nature. I grew up in a small town and ventured to Washington DC for my college years. I fell in love with DC! I loved studying and I loved living there, it was beautiful. I was encouraged to come to Korea and start a life here because I felt compelled to try something completely out of my comfort zone. While studying Psychology, Creative Writing, and Literature, I also fell in love with languages. I have been studying Korean for the past eight years, and I have taken my own experiences in language learning and transferred them into language teaching. My studies help encourage me in the physical sense and the literary sense of language learning. I enjoy teaching students confidence in their abilities and the life lessons that come with studying. Learning is a life-long process, and it is so critical that each individual feels confident in themselves as they pursue studying. I attempt to put the fun in learning, and encourage my students to have the same mentality!
Elementary Teacher
Ms. Harriett
Hello, my name is Harriett teacher from the UK. In my own educational journey, my three favourite subjects have been History, English Literature and Music. I have explored the important impacts of the Tudor family, the global consequences of the Cold War and delved into stories far and wide. I find that stories can be found all around and passed down through our histories. I love writing my own stories in music and encouraging others to explores theirs.
I have always found that my teachers are the ones who encouraged me to learn and pursue my interests. Those inspiring teachers have stayed with me with each step I take, and I hope that I can continue their legacy as I begin my own teacher journey.
Elementary Teacher
Ms. Emma
I am a passionate educator with 15 years working in a variety of different learning environments. I am experienced with not only teaching but standardizing approaches and methods. When I am not working I enjoying going to the gym and visiting art galleries. I focus on positive improvement every day.
Elementary Teacher
Mr. Sheldon
I am a qualified Teacher from South Africa with five years of teaching experience, including the past three years in South Korea. I am a fun, easygoing educator who is passionate about creating engaging learning experiences and helping student reach their full potential. Outside the class, I enjoy sports, reading, and exploring nature.
Elementary Teacher
Ms. Earle
Hi! I'm Earle May Stevens from Johannesburg, South Africa. I have nearly 20 years of teaching experience, specialising in English language and literacy education. Throughout my career, I've taught learners of all ages and mentored fellow teachers. I love helping students discover the joy of reading and making books come alive through creative, interactive lessons. One of the most rewarding parts of teaching for me is seeing students grow in confidence and realise that learning English can be both meaningful and enjoyable.Hi! I'm Earle May Stevens from Johannesburg, South Africa. I have nearly 20 years of teaching experience, specialising in English language and literacy education. Throughout my career, I've taught learners of all ages and mentored fellow teachers. I love helping students discover the joy of reading and making books come alive through creative, interactive lessons. One of the most rewarding parts of teaching for me is seeing students grow in confidence and realise that learning English can be both meaningful and enjoyable.
Elementary Teacher
Mr. Mathew
Hello! My name is Mathew, and I’m from the beautiful province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in English Literature Studies and Political & International Studies.
My passion for education began as an English tutor for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, where I witnessed learners grow in confidence and develop their language skills. This experience inspired me to become an Education Assistant at a local primary school, where I strengthened my ability to create supportive, engaging classrooms that meet diverse learning needs.
I strive to be a positive influence wherever I go, creating an environment where learners feel valued, confident, and excited to learn. My goal is to inspire a love for the English language and help every learner believe in their ability to achieve their full potential.
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Office Manager 교무과장
Mr. Jacob
Hello, everyone. My name is Jacob, and I am the Academic Affairs Manager at Twinkle Mapo.
My journey in education began during my first year of university, when I started working as a private tutor. It was my first experience teaching students, and I quickly discovered how rewarding it was to help them learn, grow, and achieve their goals. Throughout my university years, I continued tutoring and gained valuable experience working with students of different ages and abilities.
After graduating, I joined the academy industry and had the opportunity to work with many students and educators. Through these experiences, I came to understand that great teaching is only one part of a successful learning experience. A positive educational environment, strong support systems, and meaningful learning opportunities are equally important in helping students reach their full potential.
At Twinkle Mapo, we strive to create an environment where students actively participate, think creatively, and develop confidence in their English skills. As a member of the administrative team, I am committed to supporting both our students and teachers so that every student can enjoy a positive and rewarding learning experience.
I look forward to being part of each student's educational journey and helping them grow with confidence and enthusiasm.
Office Manager 서무실장
Mr. Eric
Hi there!
I'm a member of the administrative staff at Twinkle AP and I majored in computer engineering.
During my childhood, I had the opportunity to attend kindergarten in the United States for a year and elementary school in the Philippines for another year. After returning to Korea, I found myself missing the active and creative learning experiences that I had encountered abroad, particularly in English. At Twinkle AP, we aim to provide students in Korea with similar opportunities to engage with English in an enjoyable and stress-free manner. As a member of the team, my goal is to help our students learn as much as possible while feeling comfortable and confident in their language abilities. Thank you for considering Twinkle AP as your educational partner!
Office Manager 행정실장
Ms. Amy
Hello, I'm a member of the administrative staff at Twinkle AP.
I majored in Child Psychology and had the opportunity to work with many children in daycare centers and various private educational academies. Through these experiences, I came to understand that children learn and grow best when they actively participate in activities within a comfortable and enjoyable environment. In particular, language skills develop more naturally when children are consistently exposed to English and encouraged to express themselves through it.
I believe that Twinkle AP provides meaningful language experiences by allowing children to engage with English through discussions and a variety of daily activities. I will also do my best to help create a safe and welcoming environment where children feel secure and supported, and I will thoughtfully assist each student so they can come to the academy happily each day.
Advisor
Dr. Stephen J. Bagnato
Stephen J. Bagnato, EdD, NCSP, is a developmental school psychologist and Professor of Psychology and Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh, Schools of Education and Medicine. He is founder and Faculty Mentor of the Division for Early Childhood Partnerships within the University's Office of Child Development.