After graduating with a degree in English, Media and Cultural Studies from the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) in Dublin, Ireland, Mr. Diarmuid Patricia Kelly embarked on a teaching journey that has taken him across diverse cultures—from Ireland and Brazil to Vietnam. Ten years ago, the young educator could never have imagined that Vietnam would become his second home. At The Dewey Schools, Mr. Kelly found the opportunity to bring two of his greatest educational passions to life: building meaningful relationships with students and creating positive change in their learning journeys.
Having previously taught more than 300 students, Mr. Kelly was surprised when he arrived at Dewey and found himself responsible for fewer than 20 students in his first year. “At Dewey, I was introduced to parents, encouraged to get to know families, and given responsibility for supporting students beyond just academics. This allowed me to develop a much deeper understanding of their strengths, interests, ambitions, and challenges and to play a more meaningful role in their overall growth and development.”
As a Grade 11 homeroom teacher, one of the challenges Mr. Kelly is most passionate about is helping students find motivation and engagement in their learning. “If you’re teaching younger students, sometimes your job is to calm the excitement down. With Grade 11 students, you need to bring the excitement up. They are more introspective, more self-conscious, and more critical, including being critical of their own education. Because of that, teachers need to tap into students’ passions, interests, and motivations.” – Mr. Kelly shared
Inspired by John Dewey’s philosophy of experiential education, Mr. Kelly continually looks for ways to connect classroom learning with students’ lived experiences.“I often connect historical events to current events in Vietnam. Students can compare urban development projects happening in Hanoi today with historical developments from centuries ago. When students can connect something they see every day to historical concepts, the learning becomes much more meaningful. The best approach, in my experience, is to start with students’ own experiences and connect those experiences to the content we’re studying.”
Throughout his years at Dewey, one of the things Mr. Kelly has valued most is being part of a community that embraces continuous learning, innovation, and a growth mindset. “The world our students enter after school is constantly changing,” he said. “The graduates from four years ago entered a very different world from the graduates leaving this year. That means teaching must also evolve and adapt.” For Mr. Kelly, this constant evolution is not a challenge to overcome but a source of inspiration. The opportunity to learn, improve, and adapt alongside students is what keeps him motivated and passionate about education.
In the coming academic year, Mr. Kelly will take on the role of Head of English Program for Middle and High School, embarking on a new chapter filled with greater opportunities and responsibilities. Yet regardless of the position he holds, his goal remains unchanged: to make a positive difference in students’ lives and contribute to the continued growth of The Dewey Schools.
After nearly thirteen years in education, Mr. Kelly continues to pursue the same mission that first drew him to teaching, not only helping students learn how to think, but also remaining a lifelong learner himself.
