Arroyo High School (AHS) teacher Tony Wong was honored by Assemblymember Mike Fong as one of 14 educators recognized during Fong’s third annual Outstanding Educators Awards ceremony on Sept. 13 at the Garvey Community Center in Rosemead.
 
Selected from hundreds of nominees across the 49th Assembly District, Wong was praised for his dedication to student success and his leadership in transforming the school’s advanced mathematics programs. The awards highlight educators who go above and beyond to support their students at all grade levels.
 
“This award is a tremendous honor, but it's not just for me,” Wong said. “It's a testament to the collective effort of everyone at Arroyo High School. The dedication of our staff and the commitment of our parents have been crucial, but most of all, this award belongs to my students.”
 
Wong’s path to becoming an educator was far from direct. After earning his teaching credential in Vietnam in 1974, he spent 12 years teaching math before immigrating to the United States in 1987, uncertain of his future in teaching. 
 
Due to the political climate at the time, Wong was unable to transfer his credits, which required him to restart his college education to earn his teaching credential, a process that took five years. 
 
“Because of what I went through to get here, I don't take a single minute in the classroom for granted. My experience has fueled my purpose. I want to help my students build a better life through hard work and education so they don't have to face the same hardships I did,” Wong said. “That purpose is what keeps me in the classroom every day.”
 
In 1998, Wong took over Arroyo High’s Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus program, which at the time was a single class of 23 students. He worked to dispel the misconception that calculus was reserved only for “genius” students.
 
Wong then began teaching AP Calculus BC during his conference period, and the program quickly expanded. Within a few years, enrollment had grown to more than 180 students across five sections of BC and AB. Today, Arroyo’s AP Calculus students consistently achieve exam pass rates 15 to 20% above the national average.
 
In 2006, Wong launched a third-level course, Multivariable Calculus (Calculus CD), which was approved by both the University of California and California State University systems. After eight years of instruction, the course was eventually discontinued due to scheduling challenges.
 
Beyond boosting test scores, Wong stated that his goal is to serve as a role model in the classroom. He emphasizes that teaching is not only about academics but also about responsibility and character, noting that every action a teacher takes can shape a student’s future.
 
“Mr. Wong has a remarkable ability to take students from good to great, pushing them to reach the next level,” AHS Principal Gabriel Flores said. “Our school’s motto is ‘pursuing excellence,’ and the historic performance of his classes is proof of that commitment. He cares deeply about his students, and his passion shows in everything he does.”