Dorothy Vũ

As chief storyteller for the nation’s paraeducators, clerical staff, school bus drivers, food service workers, and other education support professionals (ESPs), Dorothy Vũ shines a light on the public school employees who are most often overlooked and underappreciated. It is a role she finds incredibly rewarding.

“I have lived on the margins my whole life and grew up with very few stories and public figures I could resonate with as an Asian American. So, I can relate to the feeling that many ESPs and all educators of marginalized identities have, which is the feeling that I don’t have a voice or I don’t belong in certain spaces when, in fact, ALL of us have important and unique experiences to bring to the table,” she says.

“I’m glad that through NEA and the important work we do, members are becoming more empowered to lead and share their voices.” 

As a child, sitting at her family’s dinner table, Dorothy heard the stories of her parents, who were Vietnam War refugees. This experience instilled in her the importance of learning from history and sharing our stories, “and it’s what inspired me to become a writer and storyteller,” she says.

In addition to uplifting ESP stories, Dorothy works specifically with NEA’s ESP of the Year to develop their communication skills and helps to connect members with quality professional learning opportunities, including NEA’s uber-popular ESP conference.