St. Paul’s University Guidance Counselor, Mr. Gus Marantos, wins the 2025 Yale Educator Award for inspiring and guiding students worldwide.
St. Paul’s University Guidance Counselor, Mr. Gus Marantos, wins the 2025 Yale Educator Award for inspiring and guiding students worldwide.
We are proud to celebrate Mr. Gus Marantos, University Guidance Counselor at St. Paul American School Hanoi, for being honored with the 2025 Yale Educator Award. This prestigious recognition is presented by the Yale Office of Undergraduate Admissions to outstanding teachers and counselors from around the world who have made a remarkable impact on their students’ academic goals. Mr. Gus was nominated by St. Paul Class of 2025 student, Duc Vinh Nguyen Doan, who started his first semester at Yale this Fall.
This year, 302 educators from 38 U.S. states and 22 countries were nominated by incoming Yale students. Of these, just 61 teachers and 26 counselors were selected as winners. Each honoree received an engraved desk set and a congratulatory letter in recognition of their dedication and influence. Yale credits the exceptional quality of its student body to educators like Mr. Marantos, who inspire, guide, and support students long before they arrive on campus.
In reflecting on the award, Mr. Marantos emphasized the unique role of supporting students at an international school:
“Because we’re such a global institution, we have students that apply to systems all over the world. That can be daunting and confusing for families. My job is to eliminate that confusion, make them feel comfortable about where they’re applying, what they need to do to apply, and also to provide them options. It really is about the right fit for the student.”
Over the years, his guidance has helped St. Paul students gain admission to elite universities worldwide, including Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Cornell, and Stanford. Admissions officers at these institutions regularly affirm the strong preparation of St. Paul students, a testament to the school’s academic rigor and holistic support.
Mr. Marantos believes that success in university and beyond begins with community and care:
“It’s not just me helping students in the college application process. All of their teachers are willing to write letters of recommendation. Our social-emotional counselor is always there to help them. No matter where they look, there’s a supportive face ready to guide them.”
He encourages students to embrace uncertainty about their futures:
“The first thing they need to know is it’s okay to be unsure. We’ll help you figure it out. It doesn’t matter where you start, it’s where you end up.”
This philosophy resonates with alumni, many of whom return to visit the school even after beginning university abroad. For Mr. Gus, their continued connection to St. Paul speaks volumes about the strength of the community.
St. Paul students often share that their transition to university is smoother than expected, thanks to the high expectations and personalized support they experienced in Hanoi.
“Students come back and say, ‘It was actually easier my first year at university than my last years at St. Paul.’ They feel well prepared for the academic rigors, and that gives them confidence moving forward.”
The Yale Educator Award recognizes educators who go above and beyond to help students succeed. For Mr. Gus, the award is a reflection of not only his dedication but also the collective support of the entire St. Paul community.
We congratulate Mr. Gus on this well-deserved honor and thank him for his commitment to guiding students with compassion, integrity, and expertise. His work embodies the spirit of St. Paul: preparing young people not only for university, but for successful lives.
