Sam Kang Transforms Education Through Music and Inclusion

By Amelia Cho

Fingers delicately moving across the strings, each note stands as a testament to an unwavering drive for creating music regardless of the challenge.

Sam Kang, the current instructional assistant at Stone Middle School, finds a way of supporting the school community to thrive with inclusive practices and dynamic learning environments.

Born and raised in South Korea, his inability to enroll in school further motivated him to challenge his education. Kang’s curiosity for acquiring knowledge later motivated him to move to the United States. After graduating from UC Berkeley, Kang joined Fairfax County Public Schools to support a diverse student body with strong academics. 

Having experienced a physical disability since a young age, Kang focuses on creating an optimal environment for the special education community to nurture new skills at Stone Middle School. 

“I love this school very much”, Kang said. “We have good communication with all the students and employees at [Stone Middle School].” 

Kang’s passion for learning extended to many areas, whether through visual and performing arts or literature. He is committed to intellectual growth and has published numerous poems, novels, and essays, while also playing the guitar and doing arts in his free time.

With his various talents, he successfully applied a notable change to the Stone Middle School community. Noticing limited exposure to creative learning, he began teaching guitar to all students in the special education program. 

“They never think they can play the guitar. They’re always so surprised when I help them out,” Kang said. “People think there are a lot of gaps between [students with and without disabilities], but they are very similar.”

Kang continues to set a positive outlook for students to excel beyond their comfort zone. 

“Guitar is also a way for me to spread kindness,” Kang said. “I am so happy when my students play.”

Despite the barriers Kang had to overcome in his youth, learning the guitar provided Kang with valuable means of self-expression and personal growth, and he successfully embodies this for his students. 

With the successful program outcome, Kang’s thriving guitar lessons became the first official after-school coordinated activity on September 24th for all students.

(Left to right) Sam Kang, Instructional Assistant ; Audrey Li, Executive Director;  Amelia Cho, Deputy Director

In addition, Kang’s main goal is to create an environment that fosters understanding and awareness of each other. 

His main priority is to ensure that schools are supporting every student in finding their fullest potential, whether in academics or extracurricular activities. 

“One teacher is too hard to find talent in many students,” Kang said. “Almost one-to-one support is best for student success.”

It is notably challenging for students to receive detailed assistance, making individualized mentorship an optimal approach for supporting their growth and success.

Sam Kang’s successful initiatives at Stone Middle School serve as an inspiration for all school programs for special education. Together Towards Tomorrow believes that pushing creative learning environments for all students will lead to ultimate success, both academically and socially.