The math resource center is arguably one of the most bustling places throughout DGS. Whether it be students cramming for their tests the period before, or students coming in to complain about their newest lesson, it is always packed. The man behind the madness is Chau Le.

Le has worked at DGS for the past five years as a math specialist, meaning he runs the math resource center and helps all students regardless of their level. Because he is not a classroom teacher who teaches in front of students on a daily basis, students believe he does not get the recognition he deserves.

Le was born in Vietnam and moved to the United States when he was 23 years old.

“I couldn’t speak English at all. I work at many factories with minimum pay. That’s the most difficult time in my life. I had to load all the healthy items into the truck in the cold weather,” Le said.

Le had a realization that he did not want to spend his life doing manual labor and he had greater things waiting for him.

“I think there is two types of jobs in the world, physical job and mental job. I couldn’t fit into the physical job, so I decided to quit and go back to school,” Le said.

Although Le was uncertain about what career he was going to choose, he knew he had to make a change.

“The first semester back at school, I was thinking, what major should I go to, what I’m good at? Only thing I can come up with is math. So I go for math from there,” Le said.

Le began his schooling at the two-year public community college, College of Dupage.

“I have a long time for schooling. The first college I went to was COD, from 2012-2016. It took me four years because sometime I couldn’t have enough money for tuition. So, I had to took off, save money and go back,” Le said.

After he finished his schooling at COD, Le transferred to the University of Chicago where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in mathematics from 2018-2020.

Le was not done yet though. From 2020-2022, Le completed his Master’s degree in mathematics as well. Fast forward to 2025, Le has now captured the hearts and appreciation of many DGS students.

Senior Izzy Chlopek reflected on the positive impact Le has left on her throughout her four years at DGS.

“When I think of math, I think of Mr. Le. He jokes around a lot with students, including myself, to build a strong relationship with everyone that comes into the math resource center,” Chlopek said.

Junior Alli Mytys explained how Le goes deeper than math. He works to build relationships with students in order to make one of the most difficult subjects more enjoyable and easier.

“Mr. Le has a very funny personality. If you make a mistake he will just laugh with you. He first gets to a standpoint as to how we are as a student, and then he creates a goal for us based on the potential he knows we have,” Mytys said.

Within the math resource center, there are peer tutors who work alongside Le. One of those peer tutors is junior Pranav Moolan.

“Mr. Le creates a welcoming and supporting learning environment. He encourages problem-solving and critical thinking while working through problems, making math more fun,” Moolan said.

Le is so well-versed in math that he is able to help any student no matter their level or willingness to try.

“From foundations, pre-calculus, college algebra, BC calculus or after they finish BC calculus they can move on to calculus three beyond the college course I can help them as well,” Le said.

Le not only teaches at DGS but also at the college level at COD simultaneously.

“I believe that people don’t realize how much Mr. Le helps students. Mr. Le, being both in the math resource center at DGS and a teacher at College of Dupage, clearly sets an example of hard work and determination. With everything on his plate, he still is always willing to help every student that stops into the math resource center,” Chlopek said.

Le originally wanted to work only at the college level, but that meant he had to get his Master’s degree. So, he accepted a high school position and earned his Master’s degree at the same time. Once he earned his Master’s he realized that he didn’t want to leave the high schoolers.

“I really like to work at college level, but with Bachelor degree, I cannot work at college at all. After finishing my Master’s, I got a job at COD. I work at both places [DGS and COD] at the same time right now. Somehow I fall in love with high school because they are fun to work with,” Le said.

Le recognizes that math is difficult, especially for high school students. It is hard for the students to realize their work will pay off in the future when they earn a successful career.

“Any students who’s struggling in math, they have no reason to learn…because there are no motivation. There are no award for them to learn. Sometimes, in order to motivate students I give them a prize such as candy,” Le said.

Le enjoys seeing the positivity he gives reciprocated, and states that when students come back to update him it makes all his work worthwhile.

“If students get A or B, they coming back here and tell me they got an A that is the most happy moment [when] I’m working here. That is what we work for. I see the happiness, anytime they say, ‘Mr. Le this is the first A I got in my life,’” Le said.

Although Le is incredibly talented in math, he agrees with the rest of world who say that math is hard. Le believes it is his attitude that makes it more achievable for him.

“I never say math is easy. Math is difficult to everybody, including me. Sometimes it take me about, like, six, seven hours for one single math problem. The difference between me and all the students who hate math is anytime they see the difficult problem, they walk away. I try to conquer it, I just take a break, get something to eat, enjoy the movie, relax myself and I come back,” Le said.

Chlopek believes Le does not receive the recognition he deserves for the lasting impact he has left on students, not only as a math teacher, but as a person as well.

“I think that Mr. Le’s greatest strength is how he adds light to every situation. He makes things fun for students, whether it’s joking around with them, or having the occasional ping pong match. You can ask anyone and they would say that Mr. Le has had a positive impact on their life and has contributed to their academic success,” Chlopek said.