I was born at Namyao Refugee Camp in Thailand and came to the United States in 1980. I am the oldest of 13 children in my family. Growing up I was often ashamed of being Hmong because I didn't understand my own culture, history, and identity. My parents did not speak English and my family grew up on public assistance. As a child, I always have to interpret at parent-teacher conferences in K-12, social worker meetings, and doctor appointments.
My K-12 educational experience was not positive. My family moved often due to poverty and to be close to relatives. I experienced being in segregated urban inner-city schools and suburban middle-class schools. I wasn't prepared to go to college since I was placed into a "vocational" track in high school. As a first-generation college student, it was a struggle with self-doubt and imposter syndrome, and lack of support. Fortunately, by my third year of college, I was able to connect with faculty mentors and peers that provided motivation and support. I went from an "average" C student to an A student in the last two years of college. It was also because of classes such as ethnic studies and Asian American studies that provided me with the space to learn about my culture and other communities of color. It was then I realized that I wanted to be an educator to help others reach their full potential through expanding their knowledge and education.
For the last six years, I have served as a lecturer in the Merritt Writing Program at the University of California, Merced. I am also a lecturer in the Ethnic Studies Program at California State University, Stanislaus, and teach classes in Asian American studies. I am the founder and Managing Editor of the Hmong American Experience, a social media platform sharing news and stories about important social, cultural, and political issues in the community.
