Ann Le

I am a first generation Vietnamese-American woman born and bred in Tomball, TX. I am currently a Special Education Developmental Teacher for the Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities for the visually impaired and bilingual students in the Tomball ISD district.

I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Tomball High School in 2000 where I spent most of my focus on the HOSA program (Health Occupations Students of America); I was paving the way to helping others in the medical aspect. I wanted to be a Neurosurgeon. I was both district and Houston area President in line with the organization. I also obtained my certified nursing assistant and emergency medical technician certification through this program before leaving high school. I went on to attend and graduate from Baylor University in Waco, TX from 2000-2004 with a Bachelors of Science in Neuroscience with emphasis in Pre-Law and Pre-Med. It was here that I worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant during the night-shift as well as attend class full time. Since then, I have worked one on one with individuals with special needs with a government-funded organization that provided care and support to special needs residents.

I started this teaching journey in 2004 where I studied to be a Special education educator for EC-12; I soon found out I was pregnant with my first child, therefore, after passing my exams I decided to put it on hold. I spent the next 8 years to be a stay at home mom to my two boys. Now that they are both in school, I wanted to get back on track with becoming a teacher because I believe that I could make a difference. Since the Highly Qualified Law passed with Education, I went back to obtain not only my Generalist EC-6 but also my ESL EC-12 certification. It is my firm belief, that the children are our future and that each and every child has the potential to bring something unique and special to the world. Instead of focusing on what a child cannot do because of a disability or hindrance, I believe I have a gift where I can strengthen their self-esteem through continuous positive praise and molding education into a fun, comfortable way for each individual. These past few years as I embarked as a Special Education Teacher made me more aware that this was where I needed to be; I have been able to impact not only their educational but also their personal lives. I have also made a positive change in the school I am working at; my methods of teaching have been adopted, used and recognized by many teachers as well as being praised by the Principal of the campus and also the Special Service department of my district.

Being a special education teacher was not just a job for me, it is my calling. Along life’s path, I have picked up skills and knowledge that only made me more certain this was what I was meant to do – understanding and discovery as I experienced the family aspect of having a special family member with special needs, patience, humility and heart working as a certified nurse assistant, behavioral and psychological knowledge while obtaining my bachelors at Baylor University and now discipline, flexibility and love as I work with my students on a daily basis. I expect to continue to learn but one thing still remains, which is my dedication and heart to the field of not only teaching but particularly the special education population.

I am currently working to finish my Master’s in Special Education and Certification to be an Educational Diagnostician. I am entering in my last year in the program and I currently hold a 4.0 GPA. I have been recognized by many of my professors for my dedication, love and thoroughness with my work, research paper and work ethics. I have also been asked to co-write journal articles for publication regarding education in Early Childhood with one of my professors at SHSU.

I have many strengths that are also my weakness. I have great love for what I do and want to do. I have a vision and I go for it no matter what obstacles that may arise. This strength of determination, pride, optimism and love sometimes come across to other people as overachieving, stubborn, unrealistic and naïve. But if we do not have faith in our skills and faith in our student’s abilities, how can we motivate them and teach them to have faith in themselves? They will have a harder time achieving their goals without this trust and belief from people around them.