Product of Public Education and the American Dream
At the age of eight, my family and I immigrated from Hong Kong to the United States and settled in Texas, to seek a better life for ourselves. We were very poor in the beginning, but we knew that education was our way out of poverty. I did not know much English at first, but I soon overcame the language barrier with the help of a few dedicated teachers. In middle school, my teachers saw the potential in me, and I was tapped to be a part of a pioneering gifted and talented program. High school was filled with tough classes that challenged me and prepared me well for college. I support public education wholeheartedly because I owe all my success in life to the excellent education I received.
A Life of Service and Advocacy
I have been a physician in Raleigh for over 19 years, and I have dedicated my career healing, restoring, and serving people with disabilities. I was appointed by the governor to serve on the North Carolina Council on Development Disabilities, helping to set policies that positively impact the disability community. I am active at my church and sit on the board of a missionary organization serving in El Salvador. However, my greatest joy and achievement is being a devoted husband and father to two wonderful girls, one of whom has Down Syndrome. Raising a child with a disability has taught me so much about putting another person’s needs before my own. In fact, this has been the inspiration for my desire to serve the people of Wake County.
Focus on Education
Education has always been a major emphasis in my life. During college, I worked as a math and science tutor for other university students. In my early medical career, I was a clinical professor, teaching the next generation of physicians. Even now, I am a regular lecturer to the hospital staff. I may not have a degree in education, but my passion for teaching and sharing what I know runs deep. It is wonderful to see students’ eyes light up with excitement when they learn something new. The great motivating factor for serving on the School Board, and the reason I am running for re-election this year, is to help foster the best learning environment for both teachers and students.