About

Ms. Nguyen Thu Bien (Jessie Nguyen) graduated with expertise in four majors: History Pedagogy, Elementary Education Pedagogy, English Language, and Educational Management. During her student years at Pedagogy University, she excelled academically, graduating as the top student in the History major and being one of the 40 outstanding students among 120 colleges and universities in Vietnam, receiving a full scholarship from the Hessen State in Germany. Additionally, she was awarded the Gold Medal in the National Pedagogy Professional Competition organized by the Ministry of Education in 2009. Currently, she is a doctoral candidate specializing in Educational Management at the Capital University.

Creativity, enthusiasm, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge are evident in Ms. Thu Bien’s career journey. She has accumulated diverse experiences in various roles, including being an elementary school teacher, a high school history teacher, a subject specialist, a school administrator, and a founding member of several private schools in Vietnam. In addition to her professional activities within educational institutions, Ms. Thu Bien actively engages in the broader education sector. For five consecutive years, she has been a key participant in the “National Entrepreneurship Day for Students” as a judge for the student category, an annual competition organized by the Ministry of Education and Training. She is also an author, contributor to educational materials, and a member of the review board for various documents related to experiential learning, career guidance, and entrepreneurship, led by the Ministry of Education and Training).

With a passion for her profession, regardless of her role, Ms. Thu Bien consistently demonstrates professionalism, dedication, leadership capabilities, and the ability to inspire in any environment. Ms. Thu Bien firmly believes that “to create a learning environment that brings safety and happiness to students, teachers must be happy and creatively elevated. Therefore, leaders serve as role models, inspiring teachers, students, and parents to trust, find happiness, and be creative. A happy school is one where each element experiences happiness.”

Born and raised in Luton in the UK, Lee completed a Humanities degree in History and Film at the College of St Mark and John before completing a Post Graduate Certificate in Education at Exeter University. He returned to Luton to begin his teaching career. Whilst there he worked with Luton Town Football Club coaching at the U11, U13 and U15 levels within the community coaching program.

Following three years in Luton, Lee began his international career in Nairobi, Kenya where he was Deputy Head of Preparatory at Nairobi Academy. For the last 31 years he has worked as a teacher and school leader with 15 years as a Head of School. This experience has taken him and his family to ten countries and has included working with a variety of curriculum including IGCSE, A level, IB and AP. In this time, he has completed a MBA in Educational Management at the University of Leicester and a MA in International Education at the University of Sunderland.

Whilst serving as Director at the International School of Riga, the school leadership worked with the Latvian Ministry of Education to support the development of new pedagogy that was incorporated into the Latvian National Curriculum. The school was recognized for its innovation and commitment to great learning.

He joins Hanoi Toronto School from another ISP school, Tenby Schools Ipoh, Malaysia, where he served as Campus Principal for 3 and half years.

John is an accomplished, experienced, enthusiastic, and dedicated educational leader from Canada. Possessing over a decade of domestic and international educational experience, he is a curriculum building, child safeguarding, stakeholder partnership, and professional development facilitation expert.

John started out in the financial sector, working for one of the largest firms in Canada. As he made the jump into education, he brought with him the diligence, business acumen, and fiscal responsibility necessary to be a successful administrator and leader. Making his name in international education, he proved himself to be meticulous, collegiate, collaborative, inclusive, and flexible in his leadership style.

As a committed and dependable professional, he benefits his organization by embracing its mission and vision, facilitating the learners to thrive both academically and socially, and building up a supportive framework for staff.His two best competencies are his growth mindset and his ability to carry out his duties to the highest professional standard while aligning the efforts with institutional goals.