Mai Kou Xiong

Age 49 of White bear Lake,

Went home to the Lord on July 18th, 2019. She will be dearly missed by her children Timothy (Jessica) Hang, and Alyson Hang; grandchildren LJ and Easton Hang; partner Chuck Lee, parents Samao and Vue; siblings Maijue Lochungvu, Michelle, Joshua, Rebecca, Nu Xiong-Men, Hua Xiong-Her, Sylvie, Amenda, and Amy; and many nieces and nephews.

Mai Kou Xiong, the oldest of 10 siblings (8 sisters and 1 brother) was born on May 3, 1970 in Long Tieng, Laos. Her parents are Samao Xiong and Vue Vang Xiong. Mai Kou is the mother of two, Timothy Hang and Alyson Hang, aunt to 22 nieces and nephews, and grandma to two grandchildren. Mai Kou has many friends and overtime has developed significant connections with everyone that’s come into her life through her community engagement and TV shows. Mai Kou has a love for animals and over the years has opened her heart and home to many. Growing up, Mai Kou spent her early childhood years in Laos and the refugee camp in Thailand before arriving in Santa Barbara, CA, with her family in 1978 when they came to the United States to pursue a better life.

After graduating high school, Mai Kou attended Chapman University in Orange County, CA where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences and obtained her teaching credential in elementary education. To further her education, MaiKou then pursued a Master of Arts and graduated from Concordia University in St Paul, MN in 2013 focusing on Curriculum and Instruction / K-12 Reading Endorsement. In addition to her schooling, in 2017 Mai Kou also obtained her K-12 Principal Licensure from MN State University Mankato.

Mai Kou began her career in education in 1996 as the first Hmong teacher in the central and southern coast of CA, where she taught 1st and 3rd grade at La Canada Elementary School in Lompoc, CA. Apart from being a classroom teacher, she developed and taught the Hmong Language and Culture Program for Lompoc Unified School District on the weekend.

After moving to Minnesota in 2000 to be closer to family, Mai Kou started working at HOPE Community Academy serving as a leader, mentor, and trainer, assessing and developing math curriculums and working alongside student teachers. Mai Kou spent about seven years with HOPE Academy until she brought her experience to the Community School of Excellence in St Paul, MN as a Math Coach and Hmong Curriculum Coordinator. She also contributed her expertise in the Hmong language and culture to Nobel Academy and Prairie Seeds Academy.

From 2010 to the present, Mai Kou joined St Paul Public Schools. She pioneered a reading intervention program for Hmong Dual Language students at Jackson Elementary School. She left the classroom and supported and oversee the district’s dual language immersion program as a Teacher On Special Assignment (TOSA) for the Office of Multilingual Learning at the district office. She had shared her knowledge at multiple on Hmong dual language at multiple conferences.

Mai Kou has many achievements over the course of her career outside of education and teaching. She was featured in the book Success That Looks Like Me as one of the 25 most inspiring and empowering Hmong across the United States. She’s also a talk show host (Xav Paub Xav Pom) and news anchor for 3HmongTV, a show that discusses and reflects on issues within the Hmong Community interviewing many well-known artists, political figures, and inspirational speakers. Additionally, Mai Kou is the author of the children’s book Melody of the Qeej, co-author of Jouanah: A Hmong Cinderella and The Enchanted Necklace. She’s also a candidate for Hmong Women of Worth Award and chaired and a board member of the MN Hmong Spelling Bee Association. Moreover, she also Emceed for Hmong American Day, United States Army Purple Heart Ceremony for a fallen Hmong soldier, American Legion post 1975 Military Ball, Minnesota Hmong New Year, Senator Found Hawj re-election Campaign, Council member Dai Thao Mayoral Launch, and numerous local community fundraiser events.

En Lieu of flowers, Maikou made a special request for friends and families to donate to the Coalition of Asian American Leaders (CAAL).
Coalition of Asian American Leaders built a network of 2,000 leaders whose mission is to harness our collective power to improve the lives of communities by connecting, learning, and
acting together. If you wish to make a donation you may write a check to CAAL, send it to 941 Lafond Avenue, Suite 205, Saint Paul, MN 55104 and put "In memory of Maikou Xiong" in the
memo line or go to https://caalmn.org/donate/ for credit card donations. CAAL is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Schedule for Mai Kou Xiong

July 27, 2019 Saturday: Visitation 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

10:00 AM -12:00 PM Morning Service
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Family and Community time
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Dinner
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Evening Service

July 28, 2019 Sunday Visitation: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Family and Community time
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Dinner
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Evening Service

July 29, 2019 Monday

9:00 AM- 9:45 AM Morning Service
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM Burial at Roselawn Cemetery