When students from 12Detroit think of Ms. Nguyệt, the first names that come to mind are her affectionate nicknames: “Mara Moon” and “Nguyệt Mama.” These endearing names reflect the deep affection her students have for a teacher who has been far more than an educator—she has been a mentor, a trusted companion, and a constant presence throughout their years at Dewey.
As the homeroom teacher of 12Detroit throughout all three years of high school, Ms. Nguyệt often jokingly referred to her class as her “little troublemakers.” Yet, to her, those 26 students represent the most cherished chapter of her teaching career.
“Put your phones away!” “Go study—it’s the most important exam of your life!” “Filming another TikTok?” These familiar catchphrases never fail to bring a smile to the faces of her Grade 12 students. Although she was responsible for the largest class in the grade, Ms. Nguyệt was known for her remarkable ability to understand each student as an individual. She even wrote a personalized poem to capture the unique personality of every member of the class.
As a Vietnamese Language and Literature teacher, Ms. Nguyệt has never believed that grades are the ultimate goal of education. More than literary analysis or essay writing, she hopes every lesson leaves her students with an inner moral compass—one that encourages them to work hard, live with kindness, and take responsibility for themselves and those around them.
Understanding the academic pressures and emotional changes that come with the final year of high school, she chose to support her students by listening. Before every major examination, she met individually with each student, helping them navigate academic challenges as well as the personal concerns that often accompany the age of seventeen. Looking back, she recalls that all 26 students had completely different personalities. There were many occasions when she found herself mediating misunderstandings, conflicts, and hurt feelings among her students, but she came to see those moments as opportunities for both teacher and students to learn empathy and understand one another’s perspectives.
For Ms. Nguyệt, the greatest source of pride after three years with 12Detroit is not awards or achievements, but the growth of every student in her class.
Anh Đức (12Detroit), who transferred to Dewey in Grade 11, remembers arriving as a quiet, reserved student who found it difficult to open up to others. Through Ms. Nguyệt’s patience and encouragement, he gradually became more confident and found his place within the class.
“As students, we were always encouraged to ask questions and embrace new experiences. Ms. Nguyệt was like a second mother, always understanding whenever we made mistakes. If we arrived late or forgot to check in, she would simply smile and gently remind us. And whenever we had something difficult to talk about, she was always willing to sit down and listen.”
Throughout her three years as homeroom teacher, Ms. Nguyệt witnessed many remarkable student projects, including a Northwestern agricultural products store initiative and a Thai-language translation application. Yet what she values most is not the projects themselves, but the growth they inspired—the creativity, teamwork, resilience, and determination her students developed along the way. Though attentive, and at times strict, everything she did stemmed from her unwavering belief in her students’ potential. As she once wrote in their yearbook: “I remind you and push you not because you are not good enough, but because I know you are capable of becoming even better.”
In Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window, Headmaster Kobayashi believed that every child possesses innate goodness waiting to be nurtured through trust and love. That is the philosophy Ms. Nguyệt has quietly embraced throughout her years at Dewey: listening so that no student ever feels alone, encouraging them to step beyond their comfort zones, and helping them believe in themselves. Perhaps when the students of 12Detroit leave Dewey behind, what they will remember most will not simply be the lessons from their textbooks, but the teacher who believed in them first—and gave them the confidence to move forward into the next chapter of their lives.
