Math teacher, Chi Tran, overcame many challenges to end up where she is now. 

Tran was born in Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam. The educational system in Vietnam is really different compared to the U.S. so when she was a sophomore in high school, she had to decide her major. The major she decided to study in Vietnam was math where she earned her bachelor’s degree.

Tran has three brothers who decided to come to the United States. The reason her siblings decided to come was because of the Fall of Saigon in 1975. The fall of Saigon was the capture of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, by the People’s Army of Vietnam and the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam.

Tran’s brothers escaped by boat. They were then rescued by Americans. That gave them a sponsorship where it allowed their  family to come to the U.S. Therefore, Tran was able to go to the U.S. too.

Her first time in the U.S. was when she was 30 years old. After she came to the U.S., she didn’t know what she wanted to do. So, she worked at the Post Office for 10 years. 

However, being in a new place was hard. She felt like she was prepared, but she knew that she had to work hard to support herself. She wanted to have an education to expand her knowledge. 

Tran wanted to major in business, but instead decided to major in math because she felt like she could contribute more if she became a teacher. She started teaching at Century High School, then Saddleback High School, and finally Godinez Fundamental High School (GFHS).

Tran was interested in GFHS because it was a fundamental school. 

Tran said,  “I try to build a good relationship with my  students even though sometimes it’s hard because it takes time to know a person let alone a whole classroom.” 

Every year, she has a good relationship with her students and she hopes the same for this year. 

Tran said, “it’s really important that everyone works together and tries their hardest.” 

As a teacher, she knows they work hard, and they are here to help each other.