​SAN JOSE, CA – As colorful lions danced at the Santa Clara County Office, they carried more than celebration; they represented culture, memory and the stories that connect generations. For attendees, speakers, and presenters at the Vietnamese American Experiences Model Curriculum Fall Institute, the lions ushered in generational knowledge and wisdom. 

The fall institute was the last conference of a three-part model curriculum series to bring Asian American experiences to classrooms throughout California. Educators and community members came together from September 18-19 to explore how the Vietnamese American Experiences Model Curriculum can help students see themselves, their families, and their communities reflected in what they learn. As the home to the largest Vietnamese population outside of Vietnam, San Jose was a fitting location for educators and the community to gather around a curriculum dedicated to sharing and preserving Vietnamese American experiences. 

 For keynote speaker and San Jose City College Professor Dr. Cindy Huynh, the curriculum is about preserving stories. In her keynote address, Dr. Huynh recalled her father often reminding her not to forget her language or heritage as she was growing up in a Vietnamese American household. 

“What I love about the Vietnamese American Model Curriculum is that it invites each of us to learn in earnest,” said Dr. Huynh, adding that the curriculum is an anchor to help preserve memories, stories, and experiences while creating space for students to build critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of themselves. “It is one place where our moms, our dads, our sisters, our brothers, our elders, our aunties, our uncles, our cousins, and our friends exist in the classroom.”

For Santa Clara County Supervisor Betty Duong, the curriculum reflects a journey she herself wishes she could have taken as a student. Supervisor Duong shared that she didn’t see people of similar Vietnamese heritage throughout her primary education. It wasn’t until she attended De Anza Community College that she saw her own experiences as Vietnamese American in what she was learning, changing her trajectory. As the first Vietnamese American elected to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, Duong sees the curriculum as an opportunity to ensure students do not have to wait until adulthood to feel seen.

“There are kids who are wondering about their place in the world,” she said in her welcome address. “You don’t have to wait until community college. You don’t have to wait until higher education. You don’t have to live a whole childhood into adulthood to see yourself.” 

The Vietnamese American Experience Model Curriculum is one of three (Cambodian, Hmong, and Vietnamese American experiences) developed by the Orange County Department of Education in response to legislation to support inclusive and culturally sustaining instruction. Educators, scholars, and community members helped develop this model curriculum, which includes primary source documents, planning resources, teaching strategies, professional development activities, and over 60 lesson plans. With partnership from the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE), conferences showcase curricula that enhance or support course development. 

The University of Davis’ California Model Curricula platform​ offers free access to all of the model curricula resources. Through the curricula, the stories of Asian American communities are passed forward to future generations of students who can see themselves in the lessons they learn at school.