Margaret Croom is ‘Magsy’, a local of Whidbey Island, Washington. Whether you’re a local, a would-be islander, or just someone who loves a good story, ”Local Whidbey” is your weekly dose of community, inspiration, and a reminder that the best places aren’t just found on maps—they’re found in people.
All content for LOCAL WHIDBEY WITH MAGSY is the property of With Magsy and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Margaret Croom is ‘Magsy’, a local of Whidbey Island, Washington. Whether you’re a local, a would-be islander, or just someone who loves a good story, ”Local Whidbey” is your weekly dose of community, inspiration, and a reminder that the best places aren’t just found on maps—they’re found in people.
Building Brilliance: Hai Anh Vue and the Future of Learning on Whidbey Island
LOCAL WHIDBEY WITH MAGSY
51 minutes
7 months ago
Building Brilliance: Hai Anh Vue and the Future of Learning on Whidbey Island
Today’s guest is about to blow your mind, expand your horizons, and quite possibly make you wish you’d paid more attention in science class.
We are talking to the brilliant Hai Anh Vue, the powerhouse behind the Whidbey Island Language, Art, and STEM Center—or, as the cool kids say, WILASC. Now, I know what you’re thinking: ‘Wait, an educational center that combines languages, art, and STEM? That’s like the ultimate brain-boosting trifecta!’ And you would be absolutely right.
Hai Anh has created something truly special—an innovative space where curiosity thrives, kids (and let’s be honest, adults too) can explore new ideas, and learning is anything but boring. Whether it’s diving into a new language, getting hands-on with science, or unleashing creativity through art, WILASC is making education feel like an adventure. We have all seen the ads on social media called ‘Masterclass’, where experts in their field let you in on how they have mastered their craft. This is the same thing, but for the kids!
I’m genuinely inspired by Hai Anh and everything she’s accomplished. In just four years on the island, she’s launched WILASC, brought it to life, and built a team of local instructors to support her vision. She told me she simply decided to put herself out there and *make it happen*. And let’s be honest—while the saying “build it and they will come” sounds great, it’s not the full story. Success takes more than a good idea. You have to solve a real problem, create a structure that delivers on its promises, and keep spreading the word, day after day. It’s hard work. It’s perseverance. It’s navigating resistance, roadblocks, and setbacks.
What impresses me most about Hai isn’t just that she’s incredibly smart—it’s that she’s doing *all* of that. And because of her vision, dedication, and grit, our children on this small island now have access to opportunities they might never have had otherwise.
So, get ready for a conversation about why this kind of learning matters, what it takes to build a center like this on Whidbey Island, and why you should never underestimate the power of combining left-brain logic with right-brain creativity. Trust me, you’re going to want to take notes. Let’s get to it!"
Find WILASC on Instagram and Facebook.
Follow LOCAL WHIDBEY WITH MAGSY is on @LocalWhidbeyPodcast ... Link: INSTAGRAM
If you love Whidbey Island Merchandise, I have the perfect branding ... AUDACIOUS ISLANDER(tm) Merchandise can be purchased on sweatshirts, tee shirts, travel mugs, coffee cups, duffle bags and more. Check it out.
You may also get to know Magsy and subscribe for invites to her supper club, at https://withmagsy.com.
LOCAL WHIDBEY WITH MAGSY
Margaret Croom is ‘Magsy’, a local of Whidbey Island, Washington. Whether you’re a local, a would-be islander, or just someone who loves a good story, ”Local Whidbey” is your weekly dose of community, inspiration, and a reminder that the best places aren’t just found on maps—they’re found in people.