To learn and remember

By Betty Pham

Born in Vietnam, Phuong Hoang’s upbringing was quite strict. She had to balance the challenges of growing up with the immense pressure of exceeding in her academics. Hoang had very strict parents, mainly because they were both teachers who valued education, which they had inevitably instilled into Hoang.

At a very young age, before Hoang had even turned eight, she had already set her mind on becoming a teacher.  

Hoang: “I knew I wanted to be a teacher at a very young age, even elementary school, maybe even first or second grade. There were no other paths, I think it was just a calling for me to be a teacher”

Coming to America in the third grade was one of the biggest challenges Hoang had to overcome. She did not know English, yet young Hoang was still confident she would become a teacher. Uncoincidentally, an English and Vietnamese teacher.

Hoang: “I was always set on becoming a Vietnamese and English teacher. First I want to honor my heritage, my Vietnamese heritage, and then inspire other people to honor that culture as well” she said.

As of now, Hoang is a teacher at both Overfelt and Yerba Buena high school. She has been teaching for over ten years as an English and Vietnamese teacher. She chose to teach English because she understands what it was like for her to learn English. As for teaching Vietnamese, many children who come to America forget their language and where they came from.

Hoang: “First I want to honor my heritage, my Vietnamese heritage, and then inspire other people to honor that culture as well. You know, I was an ELD student coming to America and I know the struggle of ELD students, therefore I hope to learn English and ignite that flame into students and inspire them so they also learn English as well“

Currently, Hoang is a mother of two children. Having kids has opened new perspectives on being a teacher. It’s taught her that her role is way more than teaching but to have empathy for all of her students and to care for them as her own children, not just for their academics. As one of Hoang’s previous students, I, myself have found myself seeing her as a motherly figure who I can always go to even if it's unrelated to school.

Hoang:  “I think of each of my students as my own child. So you know, I want to give them the love that I give my children.“

Being a first generation student has grown Hoang's passion, dedication, and appreciation for her education and her ability to work alongside her students.

Hoang:  “I was a first generation student in the US to attend college. I mean my parents, like I said, were teachers in Vietnam, but that doesn't really count here. First generation student, I felt, you know, privileged to be able to go school because my parents gave up their privileged life over in Vietnam for me to have this opportunity. So I really honor and value that. 
So I tried to be the best student I could be to, you know, repay the hard work that my parents had done for me”

Balancing her family, work, and personal life in general has always been tough but there is still one person she still comes to when struggling and seeking support, her mother.

Hoang:  “I always go to my mom for support because I always need that motherly figure no matter where I go,
I still go to her for help. She's my greatest supporter”

One of Hoang’s most valuable pieces of advice that she hopes to instill in her students is to dedicate their time to the time you have in school.

Hoang: “Do the best that you can in school, and, um, you know, really, don't waste your time,  use it wisely because those are the times that you can never get back”