Teaching
"To teach is to learn twice over." ~ Joseph Joubert
"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." ~ Benjamin Franklin
I am a big fan of active learning and I believe students learn better by actively engaging in the classroom. In my class, students would interact with each other on a daily basis. They explore new concepts through inquiry-based material and hands-on experiments, learn teamwork through group activities, practice problem solving skills through in-class worksheets, discuss, debate, communicate, question, and take leadership in their learning. Below are pictures of my Calculus and Linear Algebra students working on some in-class activities.
Courses taught at USNA:
(Spring 2023) SM212P - Differential Equations (2 sections), flipped classroom
All class material, assignments, and announcements are posted on USNA Blackboard.
Midshipmen: I am here to facilitate your learning and happy to help you in any way. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any question or concern. I usually respond to academic emails quickly (vnguyen@usna.edu).
(Fall 2022) SM261 - Matrix Theory (3 sections), flipped classroom with reading materials
(Spring 2022) SM212P - Differential Equations (2 sections), flipped classroom
(Fall 2021) SM122 - Calculus 2 (3 sections), SM485 - Reading Course on "Knot Invariants, Category Theory, Conformal Field Theory, and Topological Quantum Field Theory"
(Spring 2021) SM212 - Differential Equations (2 sections), online/hybrid
(Fall 2020) SM212 - Differential Equations (2 sections), online
(Spring 2020) SM122 - Calculus 2 (2 sections), online March-May
(Fall 2019) SM121 - Calculus 1 (2 sections, use IBL)
Courses taught at Hood College:
(Spring 2019)
Math 407/507 - Graph Theory (graduate course)
Math 112 - Applied Statistics (use Minitab)
Math 202 - Calculus 2 (use Maple)
(Fall 2018)
Math 505 - Discrete Mathematics (graduate course)
Math 202 - Calculus 2 (use Maple)
(Spring 2018)
Math 112 - Applied Statistics (2 sections, use Minitab)
Math 201 - Calculus 1 (use Maple)
(Fall 2017)
Math 339 - Linear Algebra (use Matlab)
Math 201 - Calculus 1 (use Maple)
Courses taught at Northeastern University:
(Spring 2017) Math 3175 - Group Theory
(Fall 2016) Math 1341 - Calculus 1 for Science & Engineering (2 sections, 1 honor)
(Spring 2016) Math 2341 - Differential Equations and Linear Algebra for Engineering
(Fall 2015) Math 1342 - Calculus 2 for Science & Engineering (2 sections)
(Spring 2015) Math 2321 - Calculus 3 for Science & Engineering
(Fall 2014) Math 2331 - Linear Algebra (2 sections)
Courses taught at Texas A&M University:
(Spring 2014) Grader: Math 220 - Foundations of Mathematics (Prof. Eric Rowell)
(Fall 2013) Grader: Math 220 - Foundations of Mathematics (Prof. Sarah Witherspoon)
(Summer I & II, 2013) Recitations TA: Math 152 - Engineering Mathematics II (Jennifer Lewis)
(Spring 2013) Research Assistantship, visiting the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI), Berkeley
(Fall 2012) Grader: Math 629 - History of Mathematics (Prof. G. Donald Allen, online course)
(Summer II 2012) Research Assistantship
(Summer I 2012) Instructor of Record: Math 131 - Mathematical Concepts - Calculus
(Spring 2012) Recitation TA: Math 152 - Engineering Mathematics II (Amy Austin)
(Fall 2011) Recitation TA: Math 151 - Engineering Mathematics I (Adam Larios)
(Summer II 2011) Upper Level Algebra TA: Mentoring through Critical Transition Points (MCTP) Summer Program (Prof. Sue Geller)
(Summer I 2011) Grader: Math 433 - Applied Algebra (Prof. Joel Zinn)
(Spring 2011) Recitation TA: Math 152 - Engineering Mathematics II (Jennifer Lewis)
(Fall 2010) Recitation TA: Math 151 - Engineering Mathematics I (Prof. N. Sivakumar)
(Summer II 2010) Grader: Math 304 - Linear Algebra (Prof. Francis Narcowich)
(Summer I 2010) Grader: Math 141 - Business Mathematics I (Heather Ramsey)
(Spring 2010) Recitation TA: Math 150 - Precalculus (Dr. Sherry Scarborough)
(Fall 2009) Help Session: Math 409 - Advanced Calculus I
Other teaching experience:
MAA MD-DC-VA Section NExT (New Experiences in Teaching) Fellow - Class of 2019
MAA Project NExT Fellow - Red ’15, a professional development program offered by the Mathematical Association of America.
For August 2012 and 2013, I served as a TA mentor and trainer for the Teaching Assistant Institute, run by the Center for Teaching Excellence at TAMU.
(Spring 2013) Completed the Graduate Teaching Academy Fellows Certificate, Texas A&M University.
(Spring 2008) Teaching assistant at the Preuss School UCSD, University of California - San Diego (UCSD).
(Oct. 2005 - Mar. 2007) Mentor and tutor for UCSD TRIO Outreach Program, La Jolla, California.
"In learning you will teach and in teaching you will learn." ~ Phil Collins
"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." ~ William Arthur Ward