Mr. Don Luong

I grew up in Norwalk and La Mirada, but I’ve always had strong ties to Santa Ana through my involvement with the very first Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Southern California, located right here in the city. My sister and I are children of parents who are Vietnamese refugees who overcame incredible obstacles to reach safety and eventually settle in Southern California. They instilled in me the values of hard work and resilience that guide me every day.

At home, I share life with my partner—whom I met in college back in 2001 and married in 2011—and our two young athletes, ages 11 and 8, who keep us busy with baseball, football, and basketball.

In my free time, I enjoy constantly looking for my golf ball around local courses, as well as cheering on: the Dodgers, Lakers, Chelsea FC, Raiders, and Lewis Hamilton.

I graduated from La Mirada High School before heading to UC Irvine, where I was actively involved in campus life through several Asian American organizations, including the Vietnamese American Coalition, which worked to empower students to engage with and serve their communities. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Sociology with minors in Asian American Studies and Education, then continued at UC Irvine to complete my teaching credential and master’s degree in Teaching. My career in education has been a rewarding journey—15 incredible years teaching in LAUSD, followed by two years in Santa Fe Springs, and now continuing my passion for teaching at Samueli Academy.

My passion lies in building stronger communities and empowering others to give back. In a world marked by systemic injustices, I believe that empowered, united communities have the power to create meaningful change. My hope is that my students not only recognize these injustices, but also discover their own passion for making a difference.