I believe in showing all students that they are more capable than they can ever imagine.”
Hai’s Story
Teaching Discipline
Mathematics
Why Mathematics
“Mathematics allow us to think clearly, no matter what we are thinking about. And mathematics education is a gatekeeper of higher education and many exciting careers.”
Professional Experience
The son of political refugees, Hai immigrated with his parents to the United States from Vietnam. At a time when he could barely string together a complete paragraph in English, his fifth-grade teacher challenged him to write a short story. Hai credits this teacher’s belief in him for changing the course of his life, which eventually included an acceptance to Harvard and a master’s degree from Stanford, on a Bill & Melinda Gates Scholarship.
As a professional educator for almost a decade, he is still passionate about working with underserved youth to increase their access to higher education. He strives to empower students with the mathematical tools to think clearly about the world and become change agents in their communities.
Currently, he is also excited to collaborate with other educators to mutually illuminate teaching practices and develop teacher leadership skills, within and outside of the Knowles Teacher Initiative.
Hobbies
Hai enjoys theater/musicals, being active, and hunting for the best local eats.
Academic Background
- Stanford University (Master of Arts in the Teaching of Mathematics)
- University of California – Berkeley (Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics)