about
Teachers matter — always.
But it’s not just about their skills or knowledge.
Rather, teachers—simply by being who they are—have a profound impact on learners and help shape their entire learning experience.
Many teachers strive to expand their horizons.They work to hone their skills and deepen their knowledge — all to create better learning opportunities for their students. For them, this effort is not just about better teaching, but a meaningful journey in itself.
That’s why we believe teachers need real support.
They need time and space to rediscover themselves, reflect deeply, and reconnect with the core values of education. When teachers connect with themselves and engage in meaningful learning, they naturally bring that growth back to their learners, their classrooms, and beyond.
ConnectED Lab hopes to support this process.
We offer teacher training, workshops, and other learning opportunities that help educators bring a broader world into their everyday practice.
We also aim to create a space where teachers and practitioners from around the globe can share stories and experiences — learning from one another’s journeys.
Our hope is to empower teachers in their efforts to bridge classroom learning with the world — connecting learners’ knowledge and lives in meaningful ways so that learning becomes more engaging, enriching, and transformative.
My Story
From 2009 to 2023, I worked at the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding under the auspices of UNESCO (APCEIU), organizing training programmes and workshops for educators worldwide. These programmes focused on integrating Global Citizenship Education (GCED) and transformative education for sustainable development (SDGs) into teacher training, exploring how these ideas take shape in diverse contexts.
Meeting dedicated educators worldwide—each striving to open their classrooms to the world so learners can grow into responsible, active citizens—was the most meaningful and inspiring journey for me. These experiences allowed me to learn and grow with them, both within and beyond the programmes.
Just as every learner is unique, so is every teacher. Each educator brings their own philosophy, vision, strengths, and challenges, along with deep expertise. That’s why I believe teacher education should go beyond delivering new knowledge and skills. It should honor and build on what teachers already know and who they are. When teachers are supported in connecting with their strengths and perspectives, they can create more enriching, engaging, and empowering classrooms.
I hope to continue connecting with educators seeking to bridge their classrooms with the wider world.
Moreover, I aspire to create a space where educators from different corners of the globe can come together to share, learn, and grow.
This is just the beginning of the journey—and I look forward to meeting you and creating meaningful learning moments together.
Brief Bio
Jihong LEE
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Head, Office of Education and Training (2017–2023) / Programme Specialist (2010–2016)
Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding under the auspices of UNESCO (APCEIU) -
Developed and managed international teacher training programmes on Global Citizenship Education, Education for International Understanding (EIU) and SDGs
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Managed GCED Online Campus and developed educationa resources/contents
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Master’s in International Education, George Washington University (USA)
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Bachelor’s in English Literature and Psychology, Yonsei University (Korea)