Seeds of continuity: A Room to Read alumna returns to the classroom

By Chau Doan 
Communication Manager 
Room to Read in Vietnam 

At 6:30 a.m., teacher Trương Khánh Nguyên is already at her primary school in Vietnam’s Vĩnh Long Province, welcoming her first graders into the classroom.  
 
Fourteen years ago, Trương was a shy sixth grader entering Room to Read’s Girls’ Education Program for the first time. Now 25, Trương has become the very teacher she once dreamed of being, carrying forward the lessons she learned through life skills lessons.  
 
"Room to Read is like a high-quality mattress for me," she shared. "No matter how many times I fall or how many difficulties I face, I always feel safe and comfortable when I’m with them. If there’s something I can’t share with my parents, I can always share it with Room to Read staff. Beyond material support, the most important thing I’ve received from Room to Read is the intangible value of companionship, not just during those seven years but continuing into my life today."

The transformative power of life skills 

While scholarships and academic support were crucial, what Trương values most from her time with Room to Read are the life skills she gained. Lessons in self-awareness, communication and time management gave her the tools to navigate challenges and build a meaningful career.

Now, as an educator working with early-grade learners, she draws on those same skills every day. Her training taught her to look beyond words, observing her students’ gestures and behaviors to better understand their needs. Sometimes it is something small, like a stomach ache or a forgotten book. Other times her observations reveal bigger struggles, like family conflict or children living apart from their parents. By recognizing these cues, Trương can communicate with empathy, helping both students and families find solutions together. 

A role model in action 

Determined to continue her education past secondary school and fueled by lessons learned from her Room to Read mentor, Trương balanced a full teaching schedule with university classes. She saved diligently through her undergraduate years before pursuing a master’s degree in educational management at Cần Thơ University. Today, she manages a full-time teaching schedule, nurturing those same skills and habits in her students, encouraging them to prepare their school materials, stay organized and take responsibility for their tasks. 

As she explained to me when we met: "First-grade students are like blank sheets of paper. Their first-grade teacher is their model — influencing everything, from handwriting to lifestyle habits to how they talk with friends. They don’t learn mainly from what we say, because they can’t yet understand everything, but rather from observing our actions. That’s why paying close attention to our own behavior and to the children’s behavior is so important. My days with Room to Read helped me understand myself and others, enabling me to act and support my students effectively in my teaching."

Planting seeds for the future 

For Trương, the true reward of teaching lies in watching growth unfold before her eyes.

"Every year, my greatest sense of accomplishment comes from seeing the children go from not knowing the alphabet to reading and writing well; from having no routines to being able to sweep the classroom; and from growing 4–5 cm taller since the start of the year," she said. "These little seeds keep being planted and nurtured in the love of teachers and parents, and that is something that makes me deeply happy."

Trương journey illustrates the lasting ripple effect of life skills education. Equipped with the confidence and tools to succeed, she has become both a role model for her students and proof of what’s possible when girls are given the chance to learn and lead. 

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