Why Choose Us?

About Embark (8/8) | Embark Recruiting
Published Sep 8, 2025

About Embark (8/8)

 

Job hunting alone can be overwhelming, stressful, and time-consuming, especially when you are on your own. Having been teachers ourselves, our team understands how challenging the process can be. That is why Embark is here to make the journey teaching in Korea easier.
 


 

Embark's Difference

 

 

Your Career, Our Mission

At Embark, your success is our success. We are here to help you find the right job that fits your skills, personality, and we will not stop until you are hired.

 

 

Save Time and Reduce Stress

Job hunting takes considerable time and effort. We pre-screen schools and jobs to provide positions worth your time.

 

 

 Your Privacy is Our Priority

Your privacy matters. If you are currently employed and prefer not to disclose your place of work, we have got you covered. We will keep everything confidential and, if needed, delay sharing references until you are ready.

 

 

Guidance You Can Count On

Need help with your resume or interview? We are here with professional tips and guidance to help you shine and make a lasting impression.

 

 

Supporting Your Career Today and Tomorrow

Finding the right position can take time. We will keep your information on file and continue working to connect you with the best teaching opportunities.

 

 


Embark's Mission

 

Our mission is to elevate the standards of the Korean native teacher industry by ensuring teachers are supported, informed, and empowered. We aim to close the information gap by providing teachers with the resources they need to succeed. In doing so, we believe we can connect passionate teachers with the right opportunities and help them thrive both inside and outside the classroom. For us, teaching is more than a job; it is a pathway to meaningful cultural exchange and personal growth.

 



Embark's Core Values

 

Embark Recruiting’s success is built on the established trust of teachers and schools, combined with the unwavering dedication and efforts of our team. We remain firmly committed to our core values and consistently deliver high-quality recruitment services.

 

 

 

 

Integrity

Trust is at the heart of everything we do. We operate with transparency, integrity, and genuine care. You will never be pressured into a decision, and we will always provide the support to make the best decision.

 

 

Professionalism

Experience where it counts. Our recruiting team is made up of former native English teachers in Korea. Together, we understand the real challenges and rewards of teaching abroad, and we use that insight to support you every step of the way.

 

 

Collaboration

Our recruiting model is built on collaboration, so our recruiters focus on matching each teacher with the right role, not on earning commissions.

 

 

 

 

Derek O'Grady, President and Director of Recruiting, United States

Contact: derek.embark@theworknplay.com

 

I’ve been living in Korea since 2013 and spent more than seven years teaching English in Korea. Those years in the classroom shaped how I lead today. As President and Director of Recruiting at Embark, I believe in building a company culture rooted in collaboration. Our recruiters work as a unified team, not on commission, which means we focus solely on making the best matches for both teachers and schools. I care deeply about setting teachers up for long-term success and believe honest, transparent recruiting is the key to that.

 

 
 



 
 

Cat Modena, Senior Recruiter, United States

Contact: embark1@theworknplay.com

 

I moved to Korea back in 2019 and spent four years teaching at language schools across Seoul. Over the years, I’ve worked as a kindergarten homeroom teacher and helped develop science-related English content for young learners at schools like YBM and SIE.K, and even helped choreograph English musicals! I know what it’s like to settle into a new school, navigate housing contracts, and deal with last-minute schedule changes. I’m here to help teachers not just find a job, but find the right school to grow and thrive in. Because I’ve been through the process myself, I focus on giving teachers the support I wish I had when I started.

 

 

Hannah Vaughan, Recruiter, United Kingdom/Ireland

Contact: embark3@theworknplay.com

 

I have been in and out of Korea for the past two years, and I have not been able to stay away.  I taught English to students aged 6 to 16, which gave me valuable first-hand insight into what teachers need from their schools. Many of my friends had great teaching experiences, and seeing both sides has helped me in this job has helped me guide others toward schools that best match their expectations. I have lived in many different countries, including the UK and Ireland, but Korea and its eclectic culture are what have made me stay. I also have over three years of experience in recruitment, so I hope that I can help with your job searching journey!

 

 

 

 

 

Lance Cho, Recruiter, Korea

Contact: embark2@theworknplay.com

 

I have been working in communications for over 5 years, and now I specialize in recruiting and supporting English teachers. I assist with Korean-English communication,  so both teachers and schools know what to expect from each other.  Many of my close friends are expats and teachers, so I understand the real challenges that you may face. I also love learning more about different cultures and traveling to increase my understanding of the world. I’m here to guide you through the process and make sure you feel supported from beginning to end.

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As former native English teachers in Korea, we know exactly what it’s like to navigate teaching abroad. That’s why we’re committed to increasing transparency in schools and improving Korea’s ESL teaching industry. At Embark Recruiting, we provide full support to help you succeed. Our blogs offer guidance, tips, and insider knowledge for teaching in Korea.