Positive, joyful, happy, and full of energy—these are the words Dewey Hai Phong students often use when describing Ms. Nguyễn Thị Liên, Visual Arts Teacher at The Dewey Schools Hai Phong. For Ms. Liên, every class begins with a simple belief: learning should always go hand in hand with joy. Students are not only receiving knowledge, but also nurturing positive emotions through each lesson—and growing from those emotions.
Joining Dewey Hai Phong with more than five years of experience teaching Art, Ms. Liên was initially surprised when she first encountered Visual Arts—one of the seven subjects transferred from Mount Vernon (USA). While traditional Art classes often focus on drawing techniques, Visual Arts opens a broader creative space where students explore artistic principles and express their ideas through various forms: from paintings and crafts to 3D models or digital products. This diversity allows every student to discover their own way of expressing personality and emotions.
Throughout the journey of nurturing creativity, Ms. Liên places special importance on encouraging students at the right moment. “Some students are quite shy at first and hesitate to express their ideas. Teachers need to observe carefully, give praise, and encourage them to ‘break the ice’,” she shared.
She still remembers two Grade 3 students who were very quiet and shy during their first classes. However, after receiving encouragement and trust, they gradually became more open to expressing their creativity. In a project where students drew a city inspired by the Paris style, the two surprised her with a beautiful artwork full of emotion. “I praised them in front of the class. At that moment, I saw their shy smiles but also the pride in their eyes. That’s why Visual Arts is such a special subject—students don’t just learn knowledge; they are recognized, they nurture positive emotions, and they build confidence in themselves,” Ms. Liên recalled.
For Ms. Liên, Visual Arts is not simply a subject about beauty; it is a space where students are heard, recognized, and trusted. Every piece of artwork they create carries a story, emotions, and a unique perspective on the world. Through these emotions, students grow with hearts that can appreciate beauty, empathize with others, and develop the courage to pursue greater goals in life.
And it is not only Ms. Liên—every teacher and staff member at The Dewey Schools Hai Phong continues to dedicate themselves to the mission of “planting green seeds” every day, in every lesson and every experience. Together, they nurture a learning environment where Dewey students grow into confident global citizens with strong identities and a readiness to create positive values for the community.
