Secretary of Education to Teacher: We’re Inspired by You
Roosevelt teacher Loan Nguyen receives a call from U.S. Secretary of Education John King, who thanks her for her good work.
Let it not get lost in the shuffle of state legislatures convening and presidential administrations transitioning that this is Teacher Appreciation Week.
That important stretch of a generally cold page on the calendar is certainly not lost on the soon to be outgoing US Secretary of Education, John King. His office designated 2,500 teachers around the country to receive personal phone calls of appreciation throughout the week. Out of that distinguished batch a select six were singled out to be called by Secy. King himself – including Loan Nguyen of Roosevelt High School.
About 2:45 on Thursday afternoon Nguyen got the surprise of her budding career when a phone rang in the office conference room at Roosevelt where Nguyen thought she’d been summoned by principal Kevin Biggs to take part in a district video about new teachers. That pretext was partially true but not the primary reason she was there.
Biggs answered the call when it came and handed the phone to Nguyen. “It’s for you,” he said, smiling slyly. “It’s someone special.”
“We heard that students flock to you as a source of shelter,” Secretary King told Nguyen whose face reddened after the caller identified himself. Her eyes widened and moistened.
“We’re inspired by that and just wanted to thank you for all you do every day on behalf of the department, on behalf of the country and the president,” King continued. “We’re calling educators around the country this week to thank them…for the difference they’re making. The folks that nominated you told us about all the work you do to make sure your classrooms at school are safe places for kids.”
Nguyen told King about the poetry showcase her students had put together as an example of what she’s been working on. That segued into a chat about the hit musical Hamilton. Gathering herself, Nguyen asked Secretary King if he might arrange tickets for her. Apparently not, but it was worth a shot.
Nguyen is in her second year teaching English and Creative Writing. While at Drake University she also student taught at Roosevelt where she’s an advisor in the Movement 515 afterschool program.
“Loan is passionate about cultural proficiency, giving students a voice and inclusion,” said Biggs, “and an amazingly respected educator. She is a model for what passionate and professional teaching looks like.”
“Teaching to me is about legacy, not awards; making an impact on students’ lives. If I ever won an award I’d probably forget what it was in a couple of years,” Nguyen was saying just about the time the call came for her that she’s going to remember a lot longer than that.
When it was over a stream of colleagues barged in to congratulate her and tell her they’d been listening in on a live stream of the telephone conversation. Yes, everybody knew in advance but Nguyen.
Her hobby is beekeeping, incidentally, this blossoming young teacher with the buzzing classroom. She learned how through a DMPS Community Ed evening class. Pollination and education – they’re a natural combination.
