At first glance, Mrs. Huynh Nguyen, the senior level AI math teacher, may seem austere. However, her tough love towards students has a way of propelling them to reach their full potential, both within and outside of the classroom. Throughout her lessons, Nguyen religiously follows several late-work and cheating policies as an approach to motivate her students to be consistent with their efforts. “Math is the one subject where practice really does make perfect,” she explains, emphasizing that having the tolerance for imperfection and embracing your own mistakes are strengths needed to become proficient in math. Therefore, students have the aptitude to reciprocate the care that she provides, fulfilled by wholeheartedly completing her assignments on their own.  

Nguyen stresses that by understanding the true value of math, one can develop the disposition and steadfastness needed to thrive, whether in the college admissions process or when securing a job. To have patience established within your mindset is already indispensable as is, but extending this quality to others can allow you to evolve as a person, not just in terms of arithmetic. Nguyen makes a point of this, declaring, “Who you are in life will matter more than your degree,” which has become a key principle in her teaching strategy. 

Her tough love stems from her childhood. “My Vietnamese culture is what inspired me,” says Nguyen. She links her ‘tiger mom’ attitude to her own upbringing. Furthermore, the sense of community ingrained into her heritage are characteristics that she sees encompassed within the Lamar student body. The inclusivity and kindness that students share with one another are factors that initially prompted Nguyen to join the faculty. She hopes that by continuing her classroom lectures through discipline, more students will develop compassion and persistence towards making the school an even better place. Nguyen aimed to enhance this goal by serving as the sponsor for the Hand-in-Heart Club where she engages with the greater student body to promote goodwill and empathy. 

Nevertheless, the personal journey is not just limited to students — teachers tend to grow as well through their countless interactions with a varied student body. Just like other teachers, her top-priority is her students. For instance, Nguyen has learned between her daily lunch tutorials and 50 plus students how to adjust her lesson structures to ensure that no student is ever left behind, overwhelmed, or feeling isolated. This is often done through tailoring their academic instruction to benefit the individual challenges students face. When guiding students struggling with similar concepts in math, Nguyen strives to underline her school’s supportive peer network, a product of the love that continues to shape the campus. 

As Nguyen proceeds in her fourth year of teaching at Lamar, she reflects on the numerous obstacles that she has endured herself. For instance, the language barrier that restricts her cohesiveness with students has proved to be a challenge. Despite this, Nguyen praises how accepting and friendly her kids are. “The diverse environment here is filled with understanding, where students simply don’t judge,” says Nguyen.  

This provided a sense of comfort to Nguyen, leading her to cherish the love, kindness, and mutual respect spread across the community. While the challenges have been formidable, the rewards of being a teacher are tremendous. Nguyen commends, “Watching my students score very well on tests and even coming to me to write their college recommendation letters have truly been an inspiration to me.” Such bonds have motivated her to continue teaching in a position she loves. Nguyen accredits the “exceptional” math department for enabling her to offer the utmost education to her classes. The extended instructional time compared to the previous school Nguyen taught at, along with her supportive colleagues, has also been instrumental in her time at this school. 

All in all, Nguyen has become a central figure in Lamar faculty and for reason as well. Her influence on students to be the best person they can, radiating love and kindness to all, has shifted the school community and charm. Through her distinct “tough love” approach that stimulates students, the impact of Nguyen’s teaching has been immense on campus. Nguyen’s students are fortunate to have the opportunity to flourish under her direction, carrying these lessons into every part of their lives.