New to the Greenhill Upper School Math Department this year, Upper School math teacher Erik Park has already made an impact on many of his students.  

Park brings a different approach to his classroom environment, encouraging his students to be engaged by motivating them in creative ways.   

After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, Park began teaching math in Los Angeles, Calif.   

When he made the decision to move to Dallas, Texas, he opened a tutoring center and then a restaurant.   

“They both failed,” Park said. “That is why I went back to the classroom and [have] been loving life ever since.”  

After teaching at Allen High School for seven years, Park has started a new chapter of his career at Greenhill.  

 Park says he grew up in a closely connected military base in South Korea, and that he was seeking a similar close-knit community to work in.   

“My students from Allen High School told me Greenhill is the best place I could go,” Park said. “I think it is a great environment.”  

Park currently teaches Advanced Precalculus, Honors Precalculus and Honors Algebra II.   

Park’s students say he makes his classroom a fun and engaging atmosphere and pushes them to be their best.  

“If a friendly wager for pushups will get you to study, then so be it,” Park said. “I want to push every student to their best.”  

Junior Jacob Lee is one of the students who wagers pushups on math assignments to encourage him to reach his goals.   

“I like the way Mr. Park pushes me to learn in a way no teacher has before,” Lee said.   

Park emphasizes how he is open to any challenges and includes himself in this fitness wager with his students.   

“I already have students making me do pushups as well,” Park said.   

Park has a goal of doing everything in his power to help his students in math. 

“I like to see light bulbs come out of my students,” Park said. “I love it when students say it just clicks, because I am trying to make a real impact on their lives”  

Junior Sadie Beck says she has had a positive experience receiving help from Park both in and out of the classroom.   

“He is easily approachable and has already helped me a lot in math so far,” Beck said.  

Additionally, Park is a freshmen advisor this year.   

Freshman MaxiLu Pokorski says she enjoys the exciting atmosphere Park brings during advisory time.  

“He is really easy to talk to and he is selfless,” Pokorski said. “He always drops whatever he is doing to help me.”  

Park has only been at Greenhill for a few weeks, but he says he likes the family feel that Greenhill offers.  

“My door is always open for any student that needs help, whether it is mathematics or anything in general,” Park said.