COVID-19 in Koreatown: The Impact of COVID-19 on Children, Families, and Staff in an Educational Learning Center

COVID-19 wreaked havoc worldwide. In this thesis, a single-case study was conducted to determine the impact of COVID-19 on children, families, and staff of one specific program. The research focused on a community-based program called a hagwon, a center specifically designed for Korean families who want to ensure their children's success in U.S. schools. In this study, the author documented accounts of events and related reflections regarding adversities confronted, and coping mechanisms employed to keep a small business hagwon, staff, and its families afloat during the pandemic, recorded in real time. The author's review and analysis of these accounts revealed themes that were presented with implications for similar ongoing, and countless studies that are being published as our nation begins to understand the ripple effects the pandemic has had on its schools, educators, families, and children. The hope is that the data and discussions from this work will contribute to the growing importance and voice of eye witness educators who have the most valuable knowledge of how the pandemic has affected our most vulnerable citizens, the children.