We left Vietnam when I was about 12. We went to the Philippines, and we lived there for six months. And then we arrived in the US February in 1992. And I was 13.

This is a picture that my teacher must have taken and given to me (back row) later. This is an English as a second language class in the eighth grade. Some of us actually have been able to be part of the mainstream classes, like math and science and so on. And just from the picture, I must have been newly arrived. I remember that jacket that was actually given to us by Catholic Charities. Because when we came in February, it was winter. I don't remember having winter clothes or packed winter clothes. 

In the picture, a bunch of kids are in the classroom, their hands raised. And we were all very excited about learning stuff. 

The story that my parents told us was that we left Vietnam because they wanted a better future for us. And the better future started with education. 

I was so happy to be in a classroom. And I was just so excited. I think that when I saw that picture again, there is a contagiousness to that smile, and that fun and that enthusiasm. I want to always try to create that space and that feel for anyone who is trying to learn.