The journey from a teacher in a remote area to an excellent teacher

JOURNEY OF SOWING LETTERS ON THE MOUNTAINS

In September 1990, after graduating from Tan Ky Mountainous Pedagogical High School, Nghe An, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan was assigned to work at Nhon Mai Primary School, in Nhon Mai border commune, Tuong Duong mountainous district.

In the early 90s, transportation was very difficult, especially in remote communes of Tuong Duong district. At that time, to get to Nhon Mai commune was a very difficult and dangerous journey. Having fully prepared her belongings, Ms. Lan had to take a bus from Tam Quang commune (where her family lived) to Hoa Binh town in the past, now Thach Giam town. Then she followed her colleagues to walk to school. This distance took her nearly 6 days.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan is described by her colleagues as cheerful and enthusiastic. In her professional work, she always completes her tasks excellently. Photo: Dinh Tuan

The journey to Nhon Mai commune was nearly 30 years ago, but Ms. Lan still remembers this arduous journey clearly.

Ms. Lan said, “We got up early in the morning to go, but we had to time it so that when it got dark, we would arrive at a village to ask for a place to stay. At the end of the first day, we arrived at Kim Hoa village (Kim Da commune). The next morning, when I woke up, my legs were swollen and I thought I couldn’t walk anymore, but with the encouragement of my brothers and sisters, who helped me carry some of my belongings, I continued my journey. On the second day, I went to Cha Coong village (Huu Duong commune) to ask for a place to stay at the dormitory of teachers at Huu Duong school. We continued to Nhan Mai village (Luan Mai commune). Just like that, by noon on the fifth day, I arrived at the main school, Nhon Mai village. From the main point to the separate point where I taught, Na Lot village, it took another half day to travel.”

In her position as manager, Ms. Lan has built a friendly library at Tam Quang 2 Primary School. This is one of 8 schools in Nghe An province that has successfully established a friendly library using socialized funding from organizations, individuals, parents, teachers and school staff. Photo: NVCC

The journey was so arduous, but when she arrived and saw the warm welcome of parents and students, her fatigue and homesickness were somewhat relieved. Then Ms. Lan immediately got to work.sow letterson her mountain. At this school, Ms. Lan was assigned to teach grades 1 and 2, which at that time were called suspended classes, 2 classes in 2 rooms (unlike teaching combined classes now, 2 classes sharing 1 room). Because of the long distance and difficult travel, every year she could only go home during Tet and summer.

After working in the border commune for 1 school year, she was transferred by her superiors to work in the border commune of Tam Quang and was assigned to teach in Tung Huong village, the most difficult village of Tam Quang commune. People's lives were extremely difficult. At that time, the road was just a path made by people. To get to Tung Huong village, there was no other way but to walk. On sunny days, Ms. Lan and other teachers' journey started at 10 am and arrived at this school late in the afternoon. On rainy days, they had to start at 7 am.

With nearly 30 years of work, Ms. Lan has been awarded many Certificates of Merit and Certificates of Merit by all levels. All of them are arranged and kept very carefully. Photo: Dinh Tuan

It's so hard, but because of love for the job, she and her colleagues still work hard.bring letters to students in border areas. At that time, many teachers could not overcome the difficulties so they quit teaching to find other jobs. Teaching here from 1991 - 2011, Ms. Lan moved to a new school, a new position.

REAP THE SWEET FRUITS

In recognition of Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan's teaching achievements, in September 2011, she was transferred by her superiors to Tam Dinh Primary School to hold the position of Vice Principal. From September 2015 to August 2016, she held the position of Principal of Yen Thang Primary School. From September 2016 to August 2020, she was Vice Principal of Tam Quang 2 Primary School.

During nearly 30 years of working as both a teacher and a manager, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan has made many contributions to the education sector.

For nearly 22 years in the classroom, the students' academic results have always been first or second in the whole school. Participating in training excellent students in competitions: 250 students achieved school level, 115 students achieved district level, 12 students achieved provincial level. In addition, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan also has many innovative experiences that bring high efficiency.

At the end of 2020, due to her health not being good enough, and fearing that it would affect the collective, Ms. Lan applied for retirement according to Decree 108 of the Government. Photo: Dinh Tuan

In management, she is always at the forefront of innovation in educational management methods. Together with the school's Board of Directors, she has many drastic, creative, sensitive and flexible measures to improve the quality of teaching and learning at the school.

As Principal, she had a specific and effective plan for self-assessment and quality accreditation to reach level 3; successfully building a school that meets national standards at level 2.

At the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year, Tam Quang 2 Primary School is one of the first two schools in Tuong Duong district, one of eight schools in Nghe An province to successfully establish a friendly library with funding mobilized from social organizations, individuals, parents, teachers and school staff.

With nearly 30 years of dedication to her work, Ms. Lan has been awarded many Certificates of Merit and Certificates of Merit by all levels: Many times she has won the title of Excellent Teacher at school and district levels, and once she has won the title of Excellent Teacher at provincial level; 15 times she has won the title of Emulation Fighter at the grassroots level and Excellent Teacher at the grassroots level; she has helped, guided and trained many teachers to become Excellent Teachers at all levels.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan (in purple ao dai) always focuses on fostering a love of reading in her students. Photo: NVCC

In particular, recently, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan was one of 32 teachers of Nghe An province to be awarded the title of Excellent Teacher by the President. This is truly an honor not only for Ms. Lan, but also for the entire Education sector of Tuong Duong district. It is a recognition and also a worthy reward from the State for her after nearly 30 years of contributing her strength and intelligence to the education cause. Before Ms. Lan, Tuong Duong district had only 2 teachers receiving this noble award.

After many years of dedication to the education career, at the end of 2020, realizing that her health was no longer good enough for her job, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan wrote an application for early retirement according to Decree 108 of the Government.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan is not only dedicated, dares to think, dares to do and dares to take responsibility, but she also sacrifices her own interests for the collective. That is why she is always highly appreciated by staff, teachers and superiors.

Ms. Vo Thi Tuyet Chinh - Deputy Head of Education and Training Department of Tuong Duong district