“At The Dewey Schools, we are committed to delivering high-quality education through the application of teaching and learning methods grounded in the philosophy of experiential education within a safe learning environment. Through purposeful experiences and reflective practices, students enhance their knowledge, develop skills, cultivate lifelong learning abilities, and contribute to the community.” – Affirmation of High-Quality Teaching & Learning at The Dewey Schools.
With the desire to create an ideal and safe learning environment that encourages comprehensive development for students, The Dewey Schools prioritize human factors alongside physical infrastructure, curriculum, and the quality of educational services. Starting in mid-June, as students begin their summer break, Dewey’s teachers engage in their busiest professional development activities of the year.
The professional development series for teachers at school is divided into 2 phases:
Phase 1: Induction Training for New Teachers
The induction training for new teachers is designed to help them quickly adapt to the environment and educational methods at The Dewey Schools. During this course, teachers will be introduced to the organizational structure, mission, and core values of the school. Additionally, training sessions will cover objectives and instructional methods across all subject groups at Dewey, including Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Life & Arts… Through practical activities and group discussions, new teachers will acquire necessary skills, enabling them to effectively integrate and apply their subject knowledge in teaching practice, thereby creating the best conditions for comprehensive student development.
Phase 2: Beginning-of-Year Orientation Training
The beginning-of-year orientation training is a comprehensive program for all teachers at The Dewey Schools. Here, teachers delve deeper into their subjects, enhance and refine teaching methods, update curriculum content, and develop lesson plans from theory to practice.
Following the training for new teachers, Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Trinh, Head of the Social Sciences and Humanities Department for Middle and High School ERPC (Educational Research and Pedagogical Council), shared: “The professional development program for Literature-Vietnamese subject and Social Sciences and Humanities at the Middle and High School begins with an overview of the school’s educational philosophy, clearly reflecting The Dewey Schools’ views on educational mission, objectives, and how the school achieves those goals. For many teachers, this is an opportunity to reflect theoretically and systematically to answer questions such as: What is the curriculum? What is the essence of learning? How is learning evaluated? Subsequently, new teachers delve into specifics of objectives, content, teaching methods, organization, and assessment within specific subjects. I have observed that teachers are enthusiastic and actively engage in these training sessions. They demonstrate a fondness for the school’s curriculum, showing seriousness and active participation in research activities to understand the educational programs.”
As one of the new teachers embarking on Dewey’s journey in the upcoming school year, Ms. Tran Dieu Huong, Literature-Vietnamese Teacher for Middle and High School (Dewey Ocean Park), shares her unique feelings: “Joining Dewey as a new teacher, over the past two weeks, I have experienced many new, exciting, and endearing things. I have interacted with colleagues and school staff who are both professional and friendly. The training sessions have been captivating, beneficial, practical, and easy to apply, helping me gain a holistic perspective and define directions for developing lesson content, thereby maximizing students’ abilities and creativity. I look forward to meeting the students again in the new school year!”
An ideal learning environment is not only a place for knowledge transmission but also a space for students’ comprehensive development in all aspects. Modern facilities, advanced teaching methods, and dedicated teachers all contribute to building a sustainable educational environment where each student becomes the best version of themselves.
