This story was originally posted on May 16, 2025.
Students at Chisholm Ridge Elementary School received a powerful lesson in storytelling, perseverance and hope when former teacher and now author Ha Dinh returned to school to speak with students about her books and life experiences.
Dinh, who once taught first grade at Chisholm Ridge, is the author of "Where Wildflowers Grow" and the newly released "The Jade Bracelet." During her visit, she shared the process behind writing her books, her personal journey of immigrating from Vietnam to the United States, and what it means to be an author.
“What an honor it is to have started my teaching career here and to come back and share my two books with the children,” Dinh said. “I feel like the district gave me an opportunity to live out my American dream. I always had a dream to be a first-grade teacher since I was a first-grade student, so to come to Texas and live out my dream, and then return to the district and school as an author, is a full circle moment.”
Students were deeply moved by Dinh’s story, including third grader London Taylor, who was the first student to purchase "The Jade Bracelet" just after it was published.
“I’m happy and excited to meet someone from a different country who went through all of that and is still positive and happy,” Taylor said. “I don’t know how she tells the story without being emotional.”
Classmate Avery Johnson agreed, especially connecting with the pebble given to Ha in the book by a friend just before she left Vietnam.
“It felt really special to meet and greet an actual author,” Johnson said. “It was the first time I’ve seen an actual author. I feel the same as Ha because my uncle was in the army, and I had to say goodbye when he left. Before he died, he gave me a necklace that says ‘I will always love you,’ and I always keep it with me to keep him close.”
Dinh’s message of resilience and connection resonated with many students, especially those who have faced difficult goodbyes or transitions.
“We want children to find themselves in the story,” Dinh said. “If they’ve ever said goodbye to someone they love, they can see themselves as Ha saying goodbye as she goes to America.”
The visit made students feel pride for their school community.
“I feel grateful that I am at Chisholm Ridge,” said Taylor. "Our librarian and teachers create great experiences for us, just like this."
As Dinh’s story continues to reach readers across the country, her message of courage and connection will remain especially meaningful for the students at Chisholm Ridge Elementary, the very place where her American dream began.
