Gyoko Executive

Kristina Kauss - President

Area: Gyeonggi-Do, Yongin

Contact: kristinacalling@live.ca

Bio: I have lived and worked as an educator in Korea for 16 years since 1997. I am currently an EFL educator in a public elementary school, though I have also taught middle, high school, and university students, as well as adult learners, and worked as a teacher trainer for the Gyeonggi-do Office of Education. I have presented workshops at KOTESOL’s International Conference and have contributed to professional publications. I am also a Master's of Education degree candidate. After actively serving the Gyeonggi KOTESOL chapter as a member, presenter, and secretary on the executive for 2025, I am prepared to take on a larger leadership role as the GYOKO President.

Christina Tsoy - 1st Vice President

Area: Chungcheongnam do, Cheonan

Contact: lucy_natsu@naver.com, Kakao ID: Tina991225

Bio: I am currently working in Cheonan at an English Hagwon, teaching elementary school students. Having been a KOTESOL member since 2022, I’ve participated in various meetings and conferences which led me to becoming the First Vise President. My role in KOTESOL was, and still is, to share my knowledge and experience with other members and open up a path for people to KOTESOL. I am willing to continue to play that role for KOTESOL’s further evolution.

Joseph Van Dorn - 2nd Vice President

Area: Gyeonggi Do, Suwon

Contact: LinkedIn, vandorn.edu@gmail.com 

Bio: I am a visiting professor at The University of Seoul, but I live in Gyeonggi-do. I have attended several KOTESOL events, including the international conference last spring. Last April, I also presented my first virtual workshop through the GYOKO chapter. Working on the executive board as the Undergraduate Representative was an honor, but I am even more excited to serve in the Second Vice President position. In my new role, I hope to empower more members to present and foster more educational discussions within our community.

Rhett Burton - Secretary 

Area: Gyeonggi Do, Gwangju

Contact: Daybak, Resume, rhettburton80@gmail.com   

Bio: Rhett Burton has been working with young learners in South Korea since 2002. He started his teaching career at an English kindergarten, transitioned to a public elementary school, and then settled in a study room till the present day. He uses his study room as a playground for planning, designing, and implementing custom solutions to circle the square with children of all ages. He helped organize the kids Cafe at the 2023 National Conference in Yongin and the Artisan Market at the 2025 International Conference.

David Kim - Treasurer 

Area: Gyeonggi Do, Yongin

Contact: TBA  

Bio: With my varied experiences in KOTESOL, including Yongin Chapter Past President and current tenure as Chapter Treasurer, I feel I have the experience and spirit to work with fellow Gyeonggi Chapter members and executive to develop a growing community of teaching professionals in the Gyeonggi-do region. 

James Rush - Membership Coordinator 

Area: Gyeonggi Do, Yongin

Contact: TBA  

Bio: I am currently working as an EFL instructor for the Department of Human Care Services at Luther University, where I have been for 19 complete semesters. My experiences include being a part of the GYOKO Team as we combined the Yongin and Suwon Chapters. It has been my honor to present at both international and local conferences, even twice as a representative of KOTESOL.  Regarding my role as Membership Coordinator, I plan to inspire and equip our members to meet GYOKO needs while helping fulfill their personal goals. 

Martin Todd - Graduate Student Representative 

Area: Gyeonggi Do, Yongin

Contact: TBA  

Bio: I’ve held several positions on the Yongin KOTESOL executive since 2013, including President and 1st and 2nd VP, and I am currently the Graduate Student Representative. I was also the National KOTESOL Secretary for two terms. As the Graduate Student Representative, I will help advocate for members who are graduate students. I will also help provide continuity and a voice of experience as newer members take on more responsibility. 

Nick Nee - Undergraduate Student Representative 

Area: Chungcheongnam do, Cheonan

Contact: coateslang.k@gmail.com, coateslang.com   

Bio: My name is Nick Nee (full name is Nikolay Ni), and I am the director of CoatesLang Online Language Academy as well as an active member of GYOKO. Over the past year, I have supported the chapter by creating media content, promoting events, producing videos for conferences, and contributing to the growth of our chapter’s online presence. Through these activities, I have gained a deeper understanding of our community and its needs.

As an undergraduate student and educator, I understand the challenges that beginning teachers and young professionals face. In my new position I aim to strengthen communication between students and the chapter, increase student engagement, and help build opportunities for professional development through events, collaboration, and creative projects.

I will do my best to represent undergraduate voices in GYOKO and contribute to our chapter’s continued growth and innovation. 

Gregory S. Lewis - Member at Large 

Area: Gyeonggi Do, Yongin

Contact: gslewi@gmail.com, Linkedin 

Bio: I have served continuously on the Gyeonggi-Kotesol (FKA: Yongin-Kotesol) executive for 3 years in the role of 2nd Vice President and more recently as Member-at-Large. I am committed to active listening and providing support wherever it is needed. I believe my extensive experience with the Gyeonggi/Yongin chapter has prepared me to be a valuable asset to assist the new GYOKO executive finding success in its 2026 goals and objectives

Andre' Jacobs - Immediate Past President 

Area: Gyeonggi Do, Yongin

Contact: andrepjacobs@gmail.com

Bio: I am a freelance teacher and I am currently working at a hagwon and teaching adult students. I have been living in Korea since 2001 and I have been involved with KOTESOL since 2022. I strongly believe in the goals and values of KOTESOL and my mission is to grow the Gyeonggi chapter into a truly representative teacher organization in the position of Immediate Past President in 2026.