With a background shaped by the devastation of war-torn Vietnam, SPC Mathematics Instructor Francois Nguyen brings a powerful and compassionate teaching philosophy to his classroom. His approach, anchored by “Three C’s,” reflects a lifetime of resilience, adaptability, and deep dedication to student success:

• Connection – creating a welcoming space where students feel safe and supported
• Commitment – fostering persistence in learning and academic growth
• Community – encouraging collaboration and mutual support among learners

What makes his early years growing up in Vietnam impact Francois’s teaching philosophy? Growing up in central Vietnam near the American 17^th Parallel Demilitarized Zone, one of the most volatile areas during the war, Francois vividly remembers occupation in his hometown by American forces during the day and Communist troops at night. War was a constant backdrop: the explosions of grenades along riverbanks, the hum of helicopters, and the eerie silence that followed skirmishes. He recalls collecting fish that floated to the surface after military shockwaves – an unforgettable reminder of the violence around him.

Living near a US military base, Francois learned English through interactions with American soldiers and Seabee Navy engineers. He also learned American culture, which gave him hope and vision that has carried him through hardship many times, as he recognized that the US military was his first teacher. These early encounters planted the seeds for a lifelong dedication to learning, teaching, and bridging cultures.

During the height of the Vietnam War, including the 1968 Tet Offensive and the 1972 Easter Offensive, millions of Vietnamese civilians were killed or displaced. In 1968 alone, over 16,000 American soldiers lost their lives. The war left deep scars: physical, emotional, and environmental, including the devastating effects of Agent Orange. Francois and his brothers fled to the south, seeking safety and a future beyond the conflict. In the chaos surrounding the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, they escaped as refugees and eventually resettled in the United States.

As a young man, Francois pursued higher education at the University of St. Thomas, earning a Bachelor of Arts in 1980 (he would later earn a doctorate from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in 2007). Soon after earning his BA in 1980, he began working with the Saint Paul School District, helping Cambodian, Vietnamese, and Laotian immigrants transition to American life. His work with refugee families deepened his empathy and reinforced the importance of culturally responsive teaching.

Francois later joined Saint Paul Technical Vocational Institute (now Saint Paul College), where he taught math to trade students. He was granted tenure in 1982 and is still a dedicated SPC faculty member.

Reflecting on over 43 years in the classroom, Francois attributes his success as an educator to the empathy and insight shaped by his early experiences. He is especially attuned to the challenges faced by immigrant and first-generation college students: those who struggle with language barriers, math anxiety, or unfamiliar academic systems.

Still actively teaching students, Francois views his mission as helping each student build confidence, pursue knowledge, and prepare for a life of contribution and purpose. Francois sees teaching as a profession and a personal responsibility, as he must identify each student’s learning style and adapt his instruction to fit their needs. He often shares with others, “If a student cannot learn the way I teach, then I must teach the way they can learn.”

Francois also encourages his students to embrace learning as a journey of self-discovery, a process for finding solutions that require multiple problem-solving approaches: a journey where a struggle is not failure but an essential step in growth. To Francois, mathematics is more than equations and formulas; it is a process of persistence, exploration, and resilience.

“Dr. Francois Nguyen’s passion for teaching and compassion for students is well known on the Saint Paul College campus. Generations of students have been fortunate to sit in his classroom and experience this firsthand. Dr. Nguyen is more than an outstanding instructor; he is a beloved figure on campus. I often joke that if we offered a math course on a Saturday night at midnight and assigned it to Francois, it would still fill, largely because students seek him out. They know that in his class, they’ll be challenged, supported, and treated with dignity and care. Dr. Francois Nguyen always gives Saint Paul College his very best, and our community is better for it.”

Enyinda Onuwor, Ph.D

Dean of STEM

Francois’s overall message to students is profound and straightforward: with hard work, hope, and resilience, the American Dream is within reach for all of us. Moreover, he emphasizes that success comes with the responsibility to uplift future generations. His personal life journey and the countless students he has guided are living proof of this principle.