Lifted To Lead: A Memoir of Resilience

Life is a journey filled with ups and downs. Each twist and turn shapes who we are. My story is one of resilience, a testament to the power of perseverance. It is about rising above challenges and finding strength in adversity.

In this memoir, I will share my experiences, the lessons I learned, and the moments that defined my path. My hope is that my story will inspire others to embrace their own journeys, no matter how difficult they may seem.

The Early Years

My earliest memories are not of a home but of an orphanage in Vietnam during the final, chaotic days of the war. I was a small child living with paralysis from polio, abandoned twice before the age of four, and surrounded by uncertainty. When Operation Babylift evacuated me to the United States, I entered a new world with a new language, new customs, and the immense challenge of learning to navigate life in a body that didn’t work like everyone else’s. Nothing about those years was stable. Every hallway, every classroom, every face felt unfamiliar as I tried to understand who I was and where I belonged.

But even in the midst of that instability, I began to discover resilience. My adoptive parents, Greg and Judy, created a home where love and structure became my foundation. They didn’t shield me from difficulty—they taught me how to meet it head-on. Whether it was tackling English as a new language, maneuvering through schools that weren’t built for wheelchairs, or enduring stares from children who didn’t know what to make of a kid in leg braces, I learned that perseverance wasn’t optional; it was essential. Those lessons didn’t just shape my work ethic—they shaped my identity.

Everything changed in sixth grade when I met a teacher who refused to see my disability as a limitation. Mr. G recognized that while writing was a struggle, speaking was my strength. He redesigned every assignment so I could present orally, forcing me—kindly but firmly—to use my voice. That year, for the first time, I felt the spark of purpose. Standing in front of my classmates, delivering presentations I once feared, I realized that leadership often begins when someone believes in you before you believe in yourself. His encouragement didn’t just change my performance in school; it changed the trajectory of my life.

Finding My Voice

By the time I entered middle school and high school, the foundation that Mr. G helped build in sixth grade was beginning to take shape. What started as small moments of courage in the classroom grew into a desire to communicate more boldly. I wasn’t on a debate team, but I was invited to stages most teenagers never see. Because adults recognized something in me—clarity, conviction, and an ability to connect—I found myself speaking at churches, community gatherings, and eventually in front of 15,000 people on behalf of children with disabilities. Each opportunity forced me to face the fear that had once silenced me, and slowly, I learned to trust that my voice had power.

Speaking publicly taught me how to think deeply and communicate with purpose. More importantly, it made me realize that my story wasn’t just about me—it belonged to others who had struggled, been overlooked, or been told they weren’t capable. Advocacy became more than an interest; it became a calling. I wanted to be a voice for those who, like the little boy in the orphanage or the child struggling in school, needed someone to lift them and remind them that they mattered.

Meanwhile, life at home was far from simple. Growing up in a large, diverse family shaped by adoption, disability, loss, and unimaginable hardship, there were days when the emotional weight felt overwhelming. But instead of pulling me under, those experiences sharpened my sense of responsibility. I poured myself into school, leadership roles, and the opportunities in front of me. The more challenges I faced, the more determined I became to use my voice—not just for myself, but for every child who needed hope.

The Turning Point

The turning point in my life came during my senior year of high school. I was selected to attend a leadership conference. This experience opened my eyes to the possibilities that lay ahead.

At the conference, I met people from diverse backgrounds. They shared their stories of struggle and triumph. I realized that everyone has a story, and each story is valuable.

This experience ignited a fire within me. I returned home determined to make a difference. I started volunteering in my community, working with underprivileged youth. I wanted to be the mentor I wished I had when I was younger.

Embracing Challenges

After high school, I faced new challenges as I transitioned to college. The academic pressure was intense, and I often felt like I was drowning. However, I remembered the lessons I had learned.

I reached out for help when I needed it. I joined study groups and sought guidance from professors. I learned that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

During this time, I also faced personal struggles. I dealt with anxiety and self-doubt. However, I found solace in building relationships. Connections became my outlet. It allowed me to process my thoughts and emotions.

The Power of Community

Throughout my journey, I discovered the importance of community. I surrounded myself with supportive friends and mentors. They lifted me when I felt down and celebrated my successes.

I also learned the value of giving back. I continued to volunteer, and I found joy in helping others. It was a reminder that we are all connected.

One of my proudest moments was organizing a fundraiser for a local charity. It was a lot of work, but seeing the community come together was incredibly rewarding.

Lessons Learned

As I reflect on my journey, I realize that resilience isn’t just about surviving hardship—it’s about learning from it, growing through it, and allowing those experiences to shape the leader you become. The L.I.F.T.E.D. Framework emerged directly from the defining moments of my life. Here are the core lessons that took shape along the way:

• Listen & Learn

  My entire life has been shaped by listening first. As a child in a new country, I learned English by listening closely to every word and watching every expression. Later, it was leaders like Mr. G who modeled deep listening when he recognized my strengths even before I did. This pillar reminds me that leadership begins with humility—seeking to understand people, their stories, their barriers, and their dreams. Listening is what allowed me to connect with students, families, and colleagues throughout my career.

  
  

• Inspire Potential

  When others saw me as limited, a few key people saw possibility. From teachers who redesigned assignments so I could shine, to the adults who placed me on stages as a young advocate, their belief ignited something in me. It taught me that every person—no matter their background, disability, or circumstance—holds untapped potential. Leaders must help people see what they cannot yet see in themselves. I became who I am because someone inspired my potential; now I strive to do the same for others.

  
  

• Foster Authenticity

  Growing up disabled, adopted, and navigating two cultures, I spent years trying to fit into worlds that weren’t built for me. Eventually, I learned that authenticity—not perfection—is what builds trust. My leadership took shape when I embraced my full story: the orphanage, polio, Operation Babylift, and the resilience that followed. Sharing who I truly am has consistently opened doors for honesty, connection, and courage in others. Authenticity is not just a value; it is a leadership tool.

  
  

• Transform Through Hope

  There were moments when hope was the only thing keeping me moving—hope from my adoptive parents, hope from teachers, hope rooted in my faith. Hope transformed my circumstances long before I had power or titles. As a leader, I’ve learned that hope isn’t naïve; it’s strategic. It helps people believe change is possible, even when the present feels impossible. My entire journey is proof that hope can turn adversity into purpose.

  
  

• Empower Strength

  Strength has shown up in unexpected ways throughout my life—sometimes physical, sometimes emotional, often spiritual. I learned early on to focus not on what I couldn’t do, but on what I could. Leaders empower others not by fixing every challenge, but by helping them recognize their own strengths, resilience, and capability. From students in alternative programs to colleagues facing uncertainty, empowering strength has become central to how I lead.

  
  

• Develop Others

  Every opportunity I’ve ever been given—from speaking publicly as a teenager to leading a county—was possible because someone invested in me. This pillar reflects my commitment to give that same investment to others. Leadership isn’t about reaching the top alone—it’s about lifting people with you. Whether mentoring youth, supporting educators, or shaping systems inside OCDE, developing others is where leadership finds its greatest meaning.

  
  

Looking Ahead

As I continue my journey, I am energized by the future and the responsibility entrusted to me as Orange County’s Superintendent of Schools. My dreams today are bigger than anything I imagined as a child in an orphanage or a student learning to navigate a new world. Now, my purpose is centered on lifting over 400,000 students, supporting our 28 districts, and ensuring that every child—no matter their story—has access to opportunity, dignity, and hope.

I know the road ahead will not be easy. Education is changing rapidly, and our students face challenges none of us could have predicted. But I have learned that resilience is a lifelong practice—one shaped by listening deeply, leading with heart, and adapting with courage. The same lessons that carried me through my earliest struggles now guide the way I lead systems, support schools, and advocate for those whose voices are too often overlooked.

Every chapter of my life has prepared me for this moment. I am profoundly grateful for the people who lifted me—teachers, family, mentors, and countless supporters. Their impact fuels my commitment to lift others through emotionally intelligent leadership, transformative hope, and unwavering service. Looking ahead, my mission remains clear: to ensure that every student in Orange County has the chance to rise, to thrive, and to be lifted to lead.

A Call to Action

I encourage you to reflect on your own journey. What challenges have you faced? How have they shaped you?

Remember, resilience is not just about surviving. It is about thriving. Embrace your story, and let it inspire others.

Life is a beautiful journey, filled with opportunities for growth. Lift yourself up, and you will be lifted to lead.

A person reflecting on their journey through journaling.

Your story matters. Share it, and let it be a beacon of hope for others. Together, we can create a community of resilience and strength.

As you move forward, remember that you are not alone. We all have our struggles, but we also have the power to rise above them. Lift yourself, and you will lift others along the way.