As technology continues to transform the future of education, students need more than technical knowledge—they need creativity, critical thinking, and the confidence to use emerging technologies responsibly. At St. Paul American School Hanoi, these skills are nurtured every day in the classroom of Mr. Jaebang Kim, our Middle School and High School Design Technology teacher.
Teaching AP Computer Science A (AP CSA), High School Digital & Product Design, Middle School IT Design Technology, and the brand-new AI Exploration course, Mr. Kim is passionate about helping students become creators, innovators, and responsible users of technology.
Originally moving to Hanoi in 2024, Mr. Kim quickly found a welcoming community both inside and outside the classroom.
I have come to love the warm-hearted people, the delicious street food, the rapidly developing infrastructure, and the affordable cost of living.
Beyond exploring the city and enjoying his favorite hobby, running, Mr. Kim has embraced the collaborative culture at St. Paul, where teachers are encouraged to continue learning, experiment with new teaching approaches, and grow professionally.
This year, Mr. Kim achieved two internationally recognized professional certifications:
These accomplishments represent months of research, collaboration, and project development with educators around the world.
Rather than viewing these certifications as personal achievements alone, Mr. Kim sees them as opportunities to create better learning experiences for his students.
I learned how to integrate AI and technology more effectively into the curriculum and gained valuable insights into supporting student learning through meaningful technology integration.
These experiences continue to shape his classroom by making lessons more engaging, student-centered, and future-focused.
As part of the Google Certified Innovator Academy, every participant develops a project that addresses a real educational challenge.
Mr. Kim’s project focuses on supporting educators who struggle to keep up with the rapid pace of AI and technology developments.
His goal is to create a platform that gathers the latest AI news, research, and practical classroom applications in one place, helping teachers stay informed without spending hours searching for reliable resources.
By making current technology more accessible to educators, the platform has the potential to benefit students as well, ensuring classrooms remain connected to the latest innovations shaping the world.
Artificial Intelligence is becoming part of everyday learning, and Mr. Kim believes the conversation should not be about whether students use AI—but how they use it.
He explains that AI offers tremendous advantages for teachers by helping with lesson planning, assessments, and creative classroom activities. For students, AI can become a powerful learning partner when used thoughtfully.
However, he also emphasizes the importance of maintaining genuine learning.
If students use AI to enhance their understanding, brainstorm ideas, or receive guidance, it can be an excellent learning tool.
Rather than replacing thinking, AI should encourage deeper understanding, creativity, and problem-solving.
Through his classes, students learn not only technical skills but also digital responsibility, ethical AI use, and independent thinking.
One of the most exciting additions to the St. Paul curriculum this year is AI Exploration, a new course designed by Mr. Kim.
Students will explore:
Instead of simply learning about AI, students will become creators—designing digital solutions that address authentic challenges and improve people’s lives.
Mr. Kim hopes that some students will eventually develop deep expertise in AI and become future entrepreneurs and innovators.
In 3D Design and Digital & Product Design, students move beyond theory by creating projects that combine design thinking, creativity, engineering, and technology.
With Mr. Kim’s recent professional learning in AI integration, students can expect even more opportunities to explore emerging technologies while developing practical skills in digital design and innovation.
His classroom encourages experimentation, collaboration, and creative problem-solving—skills that are increasingly valuable in today’s rapidly changing world.
According to Mr. Kim, one of the school’s greatest strengths is its commitment to professional growth.
He describes St. Paul as an environment where teachers continuously learn from one another through:
This culture of continuous improvement directly benefits students by keeping learning fresh, engaging, and relevant.
When asked to describe St. Paul students, Mr. Kim immediately highlighted their diversity.
Whether through competitions, performances, projects, athletics, or creative activities, students are encouraged to discover and develop their individual strengths.
For Mr. Kim, this diversity makes every classroom dynamic, inspiring, and full of opportunities for innovation.
Every student at St. Paul has unique talents.
Technology will continue to shape nearly every profession in the future, but technical knowledge alone is not enough.
Through courses in Computer Science, 3D Design, Digital Product Design, and AI Exploration, Mr. Jaebang Kim is helping students develop the curiosity, creativity, ethical mindset, and problem-solving skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
At St. Paul American School Hanoi, learning goes beyond mastering technology, it empowers students to become thoughtful innovators capable of creating solutions that make a positive impact on society.
