Ly Le Thi Khanh (she/her)

How are you using education to build more sustainable and equitable communities? Tell us about your EE work and impact. 

As a Principal and Google Certified Trainer, I leverage interdisciplinary STEAM education and technology to foster environmental stewardship and gender equity. My flagship initiative, STEAMLAND, empowers K–12 students—especially young women—to utilize Generative AI, data science, and environmental chemistry to monitor and digitally preserve UNESCO World Heritage sites, connecting climate resilience directly with cultural identity.

To ensure equitable systemic impact, I have trained over 1,500 educators in green pedagogy and human-centered AI ethics, integrating sustainability frameworks across regional curricula. Beyond the classroom, I produce open-source environmental science videos for the Science Film Festival (SFF) Vietnam and develop digital safety toolkits for youth, reaching approximately 5,000 individuals annually.

Internationally, through the 19th ASEF Classroom Network, I collaborate across Asia and Europe to champion ethical EdTech and human agency. By equipping marginalized youth and teachers with cutting-edge tools, I transform traditional classrooms into living laboratories where students do not merely study sustainability—they actively lead climate action, bridge digital divides, and protect our shared heritage and planet.

Tell us about your journey to where you are today. What inspired you? What has your path been like? 

My journey began with a simple belief: environmental education must reach beyond textbooks to awaken empathy for our planet. Starting as a passionate science teacher, I was inspired by my students’ curiosity to transform complex ecological concepts into living, hands-on experiences.

However, seeing young girls and local youth disengaged from technology-driven climate solutions ignited my true calling. I envisioned a future where environmental stewardship, cultural heritage, and cutting-edge technology converged. Step by step, I pushed boundaries—from leading classroom experiments to becoming a Google Certified Trainer and an advocate with UN Women. I pioneered STEAMLAND, empowering students to use Generative AI and chemistry to monitor and preserve our vulnerable UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The path wasn't easy; stepping into institutional leadership required resilience and unwavering commitment. Today, as a K–12 Principal, my journey has evolved from igniting passion in a single classroom to scaling systemic change. I lead an ecosystem where marginalized youth and educators harness technology not just as a tool, but as a force for climate action. My dream remains unchanged: to cultivate a generation of resilient digital stewards who protect both our human legacy and Earth's fragile future.

How can people learn more about or support your work? 

Direct Collaboration & Inquiries: Connect directly via email at ly.le@ispschools.edu.vn for cross-border educational partnerships, guest speaking, or school exchange programs.

School & STEAMLAND Initiatives: Discover our K–12 curriculum innovations and student-led AI heritage preservation projects on The Inspire Schools website.

Professional Network: Follow my work on LinkedIn to engage in discussions on AI ethics, tech diplomacy, and women in STEM.

A Little More About Me

What core principle guides your approach to leading environmental education as a school principal?
I believe environmental education should not be taught as an isolated subject, but lived as an integrated, institutional culture. As a principal with a foundation in science, my goal is to transform traditional classrooms into living laboratories where ecological inquiry, human-centered technology, and climate action converge. True educational leadership isn't just about imparting knowledge—it is about creating an ecosystem where both teachers and students feel agency to investigate, innovate, and take tangible responsibility for the planet they will inherit.

What is your superpower? Which of your qualities best fuels the work you do?
My superpower is "scientific empathy"—the ability to translate complex environmental data into accessible, human-centered climate solutions. This quality fuels my work as a science educator, bridging advanced technology with grassroots ecological action.

What’s a passion project of yours outside of your work?
Creating open-source digital-safety guides for underrepresented rural youth.