Edward Park

Affiliation

Poway Unified School District

Biography

Eddie Park, a visionary leader in education, transformed a struggling San Diego school into a prestigious institution by launching the groundbreaking Mandarin Immersion Program in 2007. His exceptional leadership earned the school multiple accolades, including the California Distinguished School title and the School of the Year award from Magnet Schools of America. Building on this success, he established another Mandarin Immersion Program at Adobe Bluffs Elementary School in 2015, which subsequently received the Gold Ribbon School Award, the Blue Ribbon School Award, and the Impact Award from the Classroom of the Future Foundation for Innovation. As the Director of Global Languages and Innovative Programs for Poway Unified School District, Eddie leverages his extensive three-decade career in education, including 15 years as a principal, to promote language diversity and progressive education. His pioneering WongAvery Global Languages and Culture Program has introduced a variety of languages to over 20,000 elementary students, earning another prestigious Innovation award from the Classroom of the Future Foundation in 2024. Eddie's dedication to language education and cultural exchange is further highlighted by his roles as the chair of the API Special Interest Group and the Korean Language Ambassador at the National Association of Bilingual Education. These positions underscore his commitment to fostering global understanding and appreciation.