About Tan Lam

My name is Tan Lam.  I am a public school science teacher. I’m establishing Ivy Aspirations to help our residents whose average income is $15,000 less than surrounding areas. Education has suffered. Students perform poorly in math and science. Education is half of what has been achieved in surrounding areas.

Growing up in five refugee camps after the Vietnam War taught me the values of prudence, hard work, and caring. I arrived in the U.S. at 18 years of age with only 4th grade education with help I eventually enrolled in an Ivy League college. Today English is still my second language.

 

Education: Dartmouth College M.S. in Biochemistry Western Governors University PBS in Education Oral Roberts University B.S. in Biomedical Chemistry

Why Do I Want to Become a Teacher? As a former refugee and an English language learner, I have received plenty of assistance from nonprofit organizations and schools. My teachers went the extra mile to help me through high school and college. I have always wanted to be a teacher, which is, in my opinion, the best way to repay my debt to America and to honor my teachers. Finally, I want to help students who are “average” or at-risk, like I was to succeed in school and be admitted to some of the nation’s most prestigious colleges.  I want the family and children to have the same opportunity to achieve the American Dream that I have had.