The admirable journey of a 'ferryman'

Rising from the losses

Nguyen Thi Phuc's childhood was marked by hardship from a very early age. Eighteen days after her birth, her father was ordered to a special assignment, and more than six months later, the family received news of his death. Never having met her father, the love and dedication of her hardworking mother, who toiled in the fields to raise her children, became her motivation and willpower. Growing up, with the desire to make her mother proud, she chose a particular profession.teacherJust as my mother wished, in accordance with her simple wish.

When she reached marriageable age, Ms. Phuc married a soldier, like her father. They thought life had blessed them with a peaceful chapter, but cruel fate struck, shattering their happiness. In 2004, her husband died while on duty. At that time, her eldest daughter was only in 7th grade, and her youngest son was in 3rd grade. Experiencing the same pain her mother had, her world seemed to collapse around her.

“The word ‘devastated’ probably doesn’t adequately describe my feelings at that time. I wanted to give up, to collapse, but I couldn’t, because I have two children, I have my mother,” Ms. Phuc recounted, her voice choked with emotion, about the most painful period of her life. Overcoming grief is not just about resilience; it’s the only choice: to continue living, not just for herself, but also for the unspoken promise to the deceased, to the future of her children, and for the love of her parents.

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Motherhood has never been easy, but I want my children to see my efforts. And my biggest goal is to teach them to be kind people.

Teacher Nguyen Thi Phuc

Having lost her father herself, and now raising a child who has lost both, she admits to raising her son with the fear of not being able to fulfill both roles. Ms. Phuc confided: “People say, ‘A father’s words are worth three mothers’ words.’ Having a son, I felt a lot of pressure; I was afraid I wouldn’t be strong enough to raise him to adulthood. Yet, after all that, the journey of motherhood is the one that makes me happiest and proudest.”

"Setting an example" is the key word for the "dual role" she shoulders in her small family. Not wanting her children to feel deprived of affection, she accompanies them in every moment, studying and working alongside them every day. When her eldest daughter wakes up at 4 am to study, she diligently gets up and sits with her. When her youngest son stays up late doing his homework, she sits beside him until 1 or 2 am. If she wants her children to be tidy, she tidies them first. If she wants them to be polite, she always addresses them respectfully. If she wants them to be confident, she doesn't shy away from challenges… In this way, this petite mother with a kind face and gentle voice guides her children through each stage of their journey, and with tears in her eyes, watches them conquer even greater challenges. Both of her children are now grown up and have achieved their own successes.

"The journey of motherhood has never been easy, but I want my children to see my efforts. And my biggest goal is to teach them to be kind people," she confided.

The "ferryman" legacy

Ms. Phuc's managerial career is marked by many achievements. From an enthusiastic teacher who quickly earned the title of excellent teacher at various levels, she gradually gained trust and was appointed as the Deputy Principal of Nghi Huong Primary School at a relatively young age.

In 2013, she assumed the position of Principal of Nghi Thu Primary School. Here, she began to challenge herself with a scientific and flexible management philosophy. She not only maintained the school's status as an Advanced and Excellent school, but also directly built a strong "brand" for the school in student excellence competitions, consistently producing top-scoring students and affirming the quality and dedication of the teaching staff.

However, the most profound impact, the place where she poured her heart and soul into "reviving" it, was Nghi Hoa Primary School – the school she was dedicated to until her retirement. “When I first came to the school, I was saddened to see the children eating at tables without even a decent table; the tables were rickety, causing their bowls of rice to spill if they accidentally turned around. This was also the school with the fewest students, the most hardworking teachers, and the poorest facilities… From then on, I was determined to change the school and bring the best things to the children,” Ms. Phuc recounted.

Guided by the principle of "doing what's best for students and teachers," Ms. Phuc constantly seeks support resources and flexibly connects with businesses and philanthropists to renovate and upgrade school facilities. With dedication, responsibility, transparency, and a scientific approach, in a short time, thanks to proactive consultation and flexible networking, Nghi Hoa Primary School has undergone a complete transformation. The school is now well-equipped with modern classrooms, interactive screens, air conditioning, and, notably, a fully equipped dining area and boarding facilities. Simultaneously, the quality of education has significantly improved, becoming a testament to the vision of its leader.

Ms. Phuc's success is not just about material achievements. What she leaves behind is her leadership style based on exemplary conduct – a philosophy that has shaped a united team. She is considered an inspiration by her colleagues. Her philosophy is simple: If you want teachers to be a certain way, then the leader must set an example. If you want teachers to arrive early, the leader must be the first to arrive. If you want teachers to be neat and creative, the leader must be tidy, open-minded, and willing to innovate… Without stress, her exemplary conduct earned the respect and emulation of the teachers in the school, leading to success.quality of educationand the school's performance improved significantly.

Sharing her thoughts about her sister, leader, and colleague, Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhung, a teacher at Nghi Hoa Primary School, expressed: “Ms. Phuc’s success is not just about the school’s projects or achievements. With her love and dedication, we have come to regard Nghi Hoa Primary School as our second home, a place we are all proud to contribute to. Even though she has retired, the spiritual and material legacy she left behind will last forever.”