Throughout her three-year journey with The Dewey Schools Cau Giay, Ms. Vuong Thu Trang has become a very special part of childhood memories for many 1st graders. Despite being a Mathematics teacher with clear logical thinking, she always possesses a very unique artistic energy—gentle, subtle, yet highly captivating. Perhaps it is this intersection that has created highly emotional lessons, where students not only learn how to think but are also encouraged to confidently express themselves.
What makes Ms. Trang feel most aligned with Dewey is the spirit of valuing the thinking process over the final result. For her, Mathematics does not just revolve around answers and solving test questions, but is a journey where each child learns how to think, express, and connect knowledge with life around them.
Therefore, in her classroom, students are always encouraged to ask questions, try different methods, and boldly speak their minds. Instead of leading the children to the fastest answer, she usually chooses an open-ended approach to let students find the solution by themselves through their own experiences and observations. “To me, the most important thing in Math class is not how fast students answer correctly, but whether they dare to speak out how they are thinking,” Ms. Trang shared.
What few people would expect is that a Math teacher is a familiar “behind-the-scenes” figure for many artistic activities at Dewey. From choreographing dances and supporting performances to accompanying students in drama plays or presentations, she always quietly observes, refines every small detail, and boosts confidence for the children before they step onto the stage.
For her, art is not merely an extracurricular activity, but a way for students to learn to feel, connect, and express their emotions. And sometimes, those exact moments of standing beneath the stage quietly cheering are what help a child gradually become much bolder and more confident.
Three years at Dewey has also been a journey for Ms. Trang to grow further in an educational environment that respects differences and elevates human values. For her, education is not just about transmitting knowledge, but also a process of nurturing emotions, confidence, and the joy of learning for each student; and it is the companionship of colleagues and the trust from parents that have helped her stay steadfast on her chosen path.
