Dr. Kasmarick completed a bachelor's degree in music education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a master's degree in educational leadership at Cardinal Stritch University. She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a specific emphasis on cultivating systems for equity and excellence. Dr. Kasmarick spent 16 years as an elementary school principal in Wisconsin before joining the APIS Hawai’i campus as K-12 principal in 2022. With a strong commitment to authentic and engaging learning for all, her work consistently prioritizes the development of a cohesive learning community, with empowered, values-driven students at its core.

Dr. Kasmarick is joined at APIS with her husband and three children, and enjoys music, reading, cooking, and exploration of all kinds.

Mr. Kirsch’s passion for education started at a young age. Being raised in Texas provided an ideal backdrop for learning and growing. He graduated from Texas State University and soon afterward began teaching in Korea. He is certified as an elementary school teacher as well as a middle school science. His master’s program emphasized instruction and curriculum from a Christian worldview. Serving in the local church is also important to Mr. Kirsch. He enjoys working with youth and encouraging them to build a strong foundation of faith while they are young. Leading students to discover their passions is another priority for Mr. Kirsch. He believes that students should be safe, challenged, free to learn, free to explore, and free to grow.

Ms. Jeon received her bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts in Sculpture from the Seoul National University in Korea and is currently completing her Master’s degree in Art Education from Boston University. Additionally, she studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago USA, and Ca’Foscari University in Venice, Italy, for a year as an exchange student. There she was able to gain valuable insights into the field of contemporary art. She is also a certified IB educator in the Primary Years Programme from Bethel University. Prior to joining APIS, she taught K-12 art for two years. As an art educator, she aims to create an inclusive classroom where students can celebrate their differences and show their individuality through the art-making process. She is also passionate about teaching interdisciplinary themes by integrating art with other subjects to promote deeper learning experiences. In her free time, she enjoys art making, traveling, and spending time with her husband and young son.

Ms. Josway comes from Indiana, where she taught seventh grade social studies for three years at a public school. Before that she had taught International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) prep in Guangzhou, China, as a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) teacher. This is Ms. Josway’s 10th year of teaching since she received her Bachelor’s of Science in Secondary Education from Indiana University in 2011. Ms. Josway is passionate about creating learning experiences for students that place them in charge of their own education through unique projects. She believes every child can become an advocate for their own learning, which will benefit them as they grow into their roles as adults in our global community. Outside of school Ms. Josway is an avid reader who enjoys visiting museums. She spends much of her time trying to learn new things.

Born and raised near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Mr. Kasmarick began his educational career over 24 years ago. He fulfilled a lifelong goal of joining an international school community when he moved to the APIS Hawai’i campus with his family in 2022. Having served in a variety of roles throughout his career—including Advanced Placement instructor, Athletic & Activities Director, and Instructional Coach—he finds the greatest fulfillment in the classroom. Centering his teaching practice on inquiry-based methods, he values collaboration and the authentic application of skills and knowledge to engage all learners.

Beyond the classroom, Mr. Kasmarick enjoys spending time with his family, running, experiencing live music, and traveling. He is also a passionate fan of Italian professional soccer (Forza Juve!). He is excited to contribute to the vibrant school life at APIS and to explore Korea and the amazing city of Seoul.

As a proud University of Houston alumna, Shalisha’s greatest strengths as an educator is her ability to cultivate positive and meaningful relationships with students. Having accumulated over 15 years of teaching experience in the U.S. within private, and public schools, she recognizes that genuine learning flourishes when students feel acknowledged and cherished. Her gift for connecting with students on a personal level has not only fostered their academic growth but has also nurtured their self-esteem and self-confidence. She fully comprehends that education is a collective endeavor and actively collaborates with her colleagues to create a supportive and dynamic learning environment. Her dedication to teamwork has led to innovative teaching methods and the establishment of a vibrant school community.
Shalisha remains a beacon of inspiration- a vivacious educator who values the power of positive connections, and the impact of collaborative efforts in shaping a brighter future for the generations she influences.

With over 20 years of experience in Korean language education, Mrs. Kim has taught multilingual learners across K-12 in areas including mother-tongue Korean, Korean as an additional language, Korean history, and Korean Studies. She also brings a strong background in academic writing instruction, student publications, and college preparation from her years in Seoul’s private high schools. As a department head, she has led numerous student-centered initiatives such as Model United Nations, North Korean youth outreach, and cross-cultural programs focused on Korean music, food, and media. Her recent work in project-based learning in the APIS Hawai’i campus has expanded her commitment to global citizenship education.
Mrs. Kim views the classroom as a sacred space for both learning and worship. She is devoted to helping students discover their God-given gifts while cultivating thoughtful, purposeful engagement with language and culture.

Ms. Kim earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of British Columbia in Canada. After college, she wished to study Physics, so she continued for one more year to complete Continuing Studies in Physics. Ms. Kim then moved to New York to study for her Master of Arts Degree in Mathematics Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, and Advanced Certificate in Gifted and Talented Education at Hunter College. While working as a math teacher for more than six years, she organized multiple math competitions, after-school math teams, and mentorship programs. Ms. Kim has embedded international-mindedness by living internationally, attending elementary and middle school in Seoul, high school and college in Vancouver, and graduate school in New York. Living in three different countries has allowed her to learn a new language, adapt to new cultures, and gain a global mindset. Ms. Kim enjoys traveling, exploring new places, and spending time with her family and her 18-year-old dog, Melon.

Ms.Kim was born and grew up in Seoul, Korea. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art and a Master of Science in Art Education from Florida State University with Florida Professional Teaching Certification Specialization: Art, K-12.

According to Bloom’s taxonomy, “creativity” is the highest rank in the higher-order thinking skills involving analysis, evaluation, and creation. Students can learn creative thinking skills most efficiently in art class because art-making requires problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to navigate the pathways of creating a piece of art. Therefore, Ms.Kim hopes to inspire students, foster a lifelong appreciation for the arts, and equip them with creative thinking skills that will serve them well in any field of study.

Mrs. Kwon has 47 years of teaching experience at the elementary level and three years at middle school. For her accomplishments as an educator, Mrs. Kwon was twice awarded the highest recognition given by Korea’s Ministry of Education (교육부장관상). She was also awarded the Order of Civil Merit, Mogryeon Medal (국민훈장 목련장) from the Korean government for her contribution to education in Korea. Apart from teaching, she is also an accomplished poet and composer of children’s songs. Her poems have been published in numerous literary journals. Mrs. Kwon feels most rewarded, however, when she is teaching Korean children’s songs to her students. Under her direction, many of her students won major singing competitions in Korea. Some of the children’s songs written by Mrs. Kwon can also be found in the Korean middle school music textbooks.