The beloved Science and Interim Math and Computer Science Chair Jason Park has departed from PDS after 8 years. During his time on Great Road, Mr. Park had an immense impact on PDS’s Science Department by being a key member in the development of the STEAM program, overseeing all Upper School science classes, and even teaching Middle and Upper School chemistry. Mr. Park also took upon the role of Interim Math and Computer Science Chair and oversaw both departments in the 2023-2024 school year.
Before coming to PDS, Mr. Park taught at the Peddie School, and after five years of working there, he became their Science Department Chair. So, when Head of the Lower School and friend of Mr. Park, Renee Price, reached out to him about the open position of Science Department Chair at PDS, Mr. Park was not super interested at first. “I actually was not looking for any new opportunities at the time, but Ms. Price told me about the opening at PDS, and asked if I would consider it.” Mr. Park further explained that it was his wife, Christina Lee ‘00, who urged him to consider the opportunity. So, Mr. Park decided to take a look. After visiting campus, meeting with students and faculty, and hearing about the school’s plans for building the STEAM initiative, Mr. Park fell in love with PDS. “The fact that it is all grades under one building, and it feels like one family, was the main reason why I was drawn to PDS…and to be a place where my whole family could land was like the whipped cream on top of the sundae.“
At PDS, Mr. Park has had the opportunity to see education from “beginning to end, from multiple dimensions.” Through being a teacher, parent, and partner of a lower school teacher, Mr. Park believes that his many different roles at PDS have given him a “holistic view of education that no other place would have given as deep of an insight into.”
Mr. Park’s favorite memories from PDS include moments from when he was teaching and was able to experience firsthand how special the PDS community is. Whether it was being told by his eighth-grade students to “rethink his plastic choices” after bringing a disposable coffee cup into class or teaching the concept of ionic bonding in chemistry class using silly mnemonic situations, Mr. Park has fond memories with the many students he has interacted with at PDS.
Mr. Park, known for his engaging teaching style, strong leadership, and kind and helpful nature, will be greatly missed at PDS next year. Looking ahead, Mr. Park is excited for his new role as Academic Dean at Montclair Kimberley Academy. Members of the PDS community are sad to see Mr. Park go but are extremely eager to see what the future holds as Mr. Park embraces this new role.
