Xie Shujin, Director of the THISDL School Tennis Academy.
She is a professional athlete, a world-class tournament referee, and a high-level youth coach. Today, she brings all these experiences to THISDL.

Mi Shuo (Jean-Baptiste), a THISDL science teacher, is a dedicated and rigorous educator whose academic background and educational philosophy are truly impressive. Not only does he possess a profound academic foundation in the field of physics, but he also demonstrates unique charm in his educational practice.

She is a collaborator with Nobel Prize winners;

She is an outstanding teacher who has nurtured international competition gold medalists;

She is a chemistry PhD with rich research achievements;

She is a chemistry teacher at THISDL —

Dr. Chunmei Li’s teaching journey, from Nobel laboratories to international schools, is truly legendary.

John Yang (Yang Zhongcheng) is a Certified Coordinator, High School Physics Teacher, Senior Research Laboratory Instructor, and Homeroom Teacher. He holds a Master’s degree in Theoretical Physics from Peking University and a Master’s degree in Education from North Carolina State University, and is an AP-certified instructor.

With a high school physics teaching certification and over twelve years of experience in AP physics teaching, research, and academic management, John’s classes consistently achieve AP score-5 rates well above both national and global averages.

He has a deep understanding of physics education philosophy and pedagogy. His teaching style is systematic, clear, concise, and coherent, and he excels at using real-life examples to help students grasp complex physics concepts with ease.

Teacher Spotlight | Zhao Yulian: Igniting the Flame of Education, Guarding the Light of the Future — A Profile of the Executive Principal of THISDL Future Campus

In Beijing’s May sunshine, the warmth has grown quite intense. Wandering around the campus, watching children dash about in the sun with their coats cast aside amid swaying tree shadows, I suddenly realize the semester is drawing to a close before we know it. The air is filled with the lively yet steady vibe of youthful growth.

Yet the moment I step into the small meeting room in the café, the soft grey fabric sofas and rich warm aroma of coffee instantly ease all tension. Teacher Zhang Rui sits right across from me, leaning comfortably into the sofa, gentle and utterly at ease.

Towards the end of the interview, I asked Ms. Nancy a question: "Years later when students come back to campus, what is the very first image you hope pops into their minds whenever they think of you?"

She did not reply right away, but broke into a bright smile. She said that the greatest joy in her career lies in those delightful classroom moments. The flow of knowledge in class, the inside jokes shared only between her and her students, the immersive moments when lessons slip by unnoticed, the hurdles overcome together and pleasant gains achieved — all these make her profession profoundly meaningful.

It has become my habit to head to the Innovation & Tech Center to find Liu Dan at THISDL.

No need to send word in advance. Just walk straight past classrooms lined with models, aluminum profiles and all kinds of mechanical parts. Whoever is absorbed in coding on screen or bending over to tweak equipment is surely him.

Many hail him as a tech genius, yet to me, he is always a reliable comrade and close friend I can fully trust. Instead of addressing him as Director Liu, we all affectionately call him Brother Dan.

We once strove side by side through countless dawns, dusks and starry nights. Having gone through hardships together, I know well the inner perseverance hidden beneath his gentle demeanor.

Everyone defines happiness differently, yet I have never heard such a pure and rational answer.

That afternoon, Teacher Yang sat across from me with an easy smile. Tall and slender, he carried an unworldly grace. Dressed in a plain school uniform, he exuded the calm and unhurried ease unique to science-minded people.

I asked him what brings him the greatest joy at THISDL. Expecting lofty ideals, I was surprised by his gentle reply: "I truly hate spending time figuring out what to wear or what to eat each day. The school regularly provides uniforms, freeing me from such trivial thoughts—and that brings me immense happiness."

At THISDL, every life grows at its own pace. Some lead the way on the stage, while others root themselves firmly behind the scenes. Today, we are honored to officially introduce a long-standing member of our community — Ms. Zhou Xiaojiao (Jojo).

She is the dedicated educator who lost seven pounds in five days just to perfect a nine-minute promotional video. She is also the master editor who stays up late refining countless footages into touching stories frame by frame. A quiet contributor who has captured countless authentic moments on campus through her lens, Ms. Zhou has now officially taken charge of the school’s Branding and Publicity Department.

Sitting down for an in-depth talk with Joseph that day felt nothing like a formal interview. It was more like listening to an old friend recount his fulfilling and logically coherent life journey.

Seated across from me with a cup of coffee in hand, he had the sharp precision typical of tech professionals, along with the inherent patience of an educator. We steered clear of abstract theories. Instead, we talked about how he journeyed from office buildings in Thailand all the way to THISDL, and settled into this science classroom dedicated to sparking children’s curiosity.

After lunch that day, I met with Teacher Edwin Zhang Tianqi in the meeting room.

The warm afternoon sunshine made it easy for anyone to feel drowsy. Yet the moment Edwin sat down, he exuded the straightforward vigour typical of native Beijingers, with no empty formalities at all. He grinned and said frankly,"Nancy, I might share quite a lot of ideas later, so feel free to pick what you need."

Sitting opposite him, I was instantly drawn into his vivid conversation. When talking about butterflies that vanished millions of years ago, his gesturing hands seemed to set a flock of living creatures free in the air. Speaking about footprints preserved in rock strata, his earnest gaze made it feel as if the ancient wilderness lay right beneath the floor of the meeting room.

If you happen to spot a teacher striding briskly along the corridors of THISDL, always wearing a gentle smile and radiating youthful lightness, it is most likely Ms. Jessica Park Xianglan.

As Director of College Counseling, Jessica has dedicated 11 years to admission guidance. Combined with her previous decade of teaching Chinese as a foreign language, she has stood fast on the front line of education for a total of 21 years. Two decades are enough to fade youthful looks, yet on Jessica, one only sees profound open-mindedness and inner richness nurtured and softened by time.

I have met numerous peers along the path of education, yet Liu Hongyuan holds an utterly special place in my heart.

We have known each other for years, and time has never altered my impression of him — calm and composed, imbued with a serene aura like the faint fragrance of plants and herbs. Gentle and refined like a timeless jade, he remains unperturbed even amid the hustle and bustle of daily trivial affairs.

Stepping into Hongbo’s office that day, there was no bright sunshine streaming in. The sky outside looked plain and ordinary, and the room exuded a typical professional solemnity. We sat across a spacious conference table. Before I could say a word, he thoughtfully handed me a bottle of water.

At THISDL, Ms. Walsh always carries quiet and gentle strength. Surrounded by children who ask questions, discuss ideas, read and explore, her patience and devotion create a relaxed and trusting classroom atmosphere.

Zheng Qiaolang, a 17-year-old student from Class G12-5 at THISDL.

While most peers his age are still uncertain about their future paths, he has already received an ED offer in Film & Television Production from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, thanks to his highly distinctive personal portfolio. On the journey of youth, he has firmly anchored his path in filmmaking at an early stage.

Born in 2008, Shao Yushan is a student in Grade 11 at Daoxiang Lake School and a verified contender among China’s new generation of tennis players. In the 2025 season, her ITF Junior world ranking rose to No. 24. She won the singles title at the ITF J300 tournament in Pathum Thani, Thailand, advanced to the Round of 32 at Wimbledon and the Round of 16 at the US Open in junior Grand Slam events, and claimed the singles runner-up and doubles champion titles at the China Open Junior Tournament. She also won the National Games Championship as part of her team. Meanwhile, she has begun making strides into the professional adult circuit, reaching the quarterfinals twice in ITF W35 tournaments, demonstrating a clear and steady growth trajectory at the intersection of junior and adult competitions.

In the summer of 2025, an admission letter from the School of Animation and Digital Arts at the Communication University of China, majoring in Art and Technology, became the perfect epilogue to Zhang Yiming’s three years of high school. It was not only a recognition of his personal credo — “Once the direction is set, follow it through to the end” — but also a vivid embodiment of THISDL’s educational philosophy of “diverse pathways to success” in its very first cohort of Gaokao students: enabling precise alignment with a passion, providing systematic support for a challenge started from zero, and building a transformative platform for a unique potential.

The weight of a promise has never been about rhetoric, but about the responsibility built through time and practice. Duke University’s admission letter is not only the echo of Zhang Yichi’s three-year persistence in pursuing her passion, but also a testament to how a school and a group of educators fulfill their commitments through concrete actions.

Jiang Qiyang, an 18-year-old Grade 12 student at THISDL.The admission offer from Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, was not a sudden arrival, but a natural outcome after years of exploration and self-discovery.Through his studies in the ADP program at THISDL, he learned to draw inspiration from life, clarify his direction, and affirm his true self.