About James Curtis Dilday II

James Curtis Dilday II is a fully licensed US educator holding an Active District of Columbia Standard Educator Credential, curriculum designer, and founder of Hip Hip Academy in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. With over 15 years of international teaching experience across the US, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam, he specializes in Secondary Science (Chemistry, Biology, Physics) and English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL / IELTS).

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At Hip Hip Academy, James Curtis Dilday II directly leads 1-on-1 diagnostic assessment programs, international STEM curriculum support (IB, MYP, IGCSE, AP), and standardized exam preparation, helping students build critical thinking skills and a solid academic foundation.

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OFFICIAL TEACHING CREDENTIALS & DEGREES

• District of Columbia Standard Educator Credential (OSSE, USA) — Status: Active (Valid through 07/2030) 

  • Primary Subject: Secondary Chemistry (Grades 7–12)

  • Endorsements: English to Speakers of Other Languages - ESOL (Pre-K to Grade 12), Physics (Grades 7–12), Biology (Grades 7–12)

• Cambridge CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) | University of Cambridge / ILA Vietnam (2012)

  • Grade: Pass B (Demonstrated superior lesson planning, classroom management, logical staging, and language analysis)

• Graduate Teacher Preparation Certificate | Secondary Chemistry | Moreland University, USA (2026)

  • Grade Point Average (GPA): 3.98 / 4.0

• Bachelor of Science in Biology (Minor: Chemistry) | University of Arkansas at Little Rock, USA (2006)

  • Graduated Cum Laude: GPA 3.59 / 4.0
     

TEACHING & LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

• Founder & Online STEM/ESOL Educator | Hip Hip Academy (2021 – Present)

  • Design and deliver custom coursework in MYP/IB Chemistry, Physics, Biology, IGCSE Science, ESOL, and IELTS preparation for international students.

  • Integrate modern educational technology and inquiry-based STEM strategies to optimize individual student growth and progress tracking.

• Student Teacher (Clinical Practice) | Stellar Virtual (01/2026 – 04/2026)

  • Completed 12 weeks of clinical practice in Secondary Chemistry, evaluated against US national InTASC pedagogical standards.

  • Managed interactive virtual learning environments and leveraged digital assessment tools to monitor student achievement.

• Substitute Teacher | International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC), Vietnam (2020 – 2021)

  • Delivered science instruction and maintained a safe, structured, standards-aligned learning environment following school curricula.

• Test Prep & Science Specialist | Yola & Ivy Language Center, Vietnam (2014 – 2018)

  • Developed personalized learning plans and taught standardized exam preparation for IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, ACT, IGCSE, and IB courses.

• Head Teacher & Academic Manager | Cleverlearn Vietnam (2011 – 2014)

  • Recruited, trained, and managed a teaching staff of 30 international educators while leading curriculum development.

  • Oversaw specialized Communicative English and IELTS training programs for provincial government officials in Ninh Thuan.

• International Educator | South Korea & Vietnam (2008 – 2011)

  • Delivered multi-level English instruction to learners ranging from Young Learners (Kindergarten/Elementary) to adult professionals.