Teaching profession… glory and responsibility

Teacher Hoang Duc Luc - former principal of Thai Lao High School, former Head of Education Department - Department of Education and Training

Photo: Dinh Tuyen

I started teaching in 1965 in Thanh Hoa. But in 1972, at the request of the country, preparing to liberate the South, I was one of the teachers assigned to the Southeast war zone to do teaching work.

Those were also the most memorable years of my life, leaving unforgettable memories, even though the time spent in B only lasted 4 years. I remember that trip was very difficult, crossing forests and streams. We were called teachers going to B, but because we were in the Propaganda Department of the Regional Party Committee, our duties were propaganda, politics and education. Our students at that time were usually primary school students in the hamlets and villages and we mainly taught literacy. During the teaching process, we wrote our own materials and taught ourselves, even though our major was high school teachers.

Teaching in war zones where the war is still raging is truly special. Perhaps that is why we welcomed the liberation day of the South with a very special feeling because no one thought that the country could be at peace so quickly. The years of teaching, living and working together with the people of the South really made us love our job more because despite the difficulties and hardships, teachers are always trusted and respected by the people and students.

This year I am 80 years old, more than 45 years of teaching, I still believe that I have chosen the right job, I have chosen the profession, the profession has chosen me. I still remember when we were in high school, high school students often chose Medical School and Polytechnic University. However, the Party and the State, especially the Youth Union at that time often mobilized high school students to volunteer to study Pedagogy. At that time, I learned to sympathize with the Party, responded to the call and volunteered to study Pedagogy. Choosing this profession, I have lived my whole life with the profession. During more than 40 years from the time I started teaching students in Thanh Hoa to when I went to the South, I taught and fought, and even when I returned home, we were still devoted to the profession. Happiness is when the teacher holds the chalk on the board, the students below clap their hands...

Throughout my life, whether as a teacher or a manager, I have only one thought: to focus on my work. Therefore, although the teaching profession is difficult, many colleagues at the same time as me could not pursue this profession. But despite the hardship, we are still passionate and eager to teach, to train excellent students, to train students for university entrance exams... The most valuable thing we have received is that we have left behind a generation of students who not only serve the country but more importantly, leave behind an extremely valuable asset of the feelings between teachers and students...

Teacher Duong Thi Bich Hong - Teacher at Dang Chanh Ky Secondary School (Nam Dan)

Photo: My Ha

For all of us teachers, Vietnamese Teachers' Day is always a special day, leaving us with a lot of emotions and pride. Personally, I have been working in this profession for 13 years. Although the working time is not long, I think this is a very suitable job. Although our work is quiet, I think what teachers contribute to society is always recognized.

In today’s time, to be able to complete professional tasks, teachers need to cultivate and update new knowledge. A good teacher is not only someone who knows how to bring knowledge to students but also someone who knows how to ignite the flames of passion and explore the horizons of knowledge of students.

Today's generation of teachers, we are lucky to be able to learn a lot of experiences from previous generations. Besides, for young teachers, the development of 4.0 technology helps teachers to be liberated a lot in preparing lesson plans, innovating teaching and we always try to master technology. Moreover, young teachers can also promote their youth to be able to contribute long-term to the education career.

Teacher Nguyen Trong Dai - Former Principal of Long Son Primary School (Anh Son)

Photo: Dinh Tuyen

I was born in Duc Tho district (Ha Tinh) but my destiny has been to be attached to the teaching profession and to Anh Son district since 1979 until the day I completed my work. My happiest moment after retirement was when my colleagues and the local government loved me and sent me a very affectionate saying: Meritorious teacher Trong Dai - devoted his whole life to the education career of Anh Son.

Now, although I have been retired for nearly 10 years, I am still proud of my job. When we first started teaching, the teaching conditions were extremely difficult, the people's lives were very difficult, there were few schools, and houses were made of bamboo and earthen walls. Despite such circumstances, teachers always tried their best to teach well and study well, gradually improving the quality of education. Currently, the schools we have visited have all changed, many schools have been recognized as national standard schools. We are proud to have contributed a small part to that improvement.

The previous generation of teachers also often said that those days were too difficult, especially for teachers who were far from home and had to go to the highlands to make a living like us. However, the strange thing is that the more difficult it was, the more we encouraged each other to overcome the difficulties to complete the task of "all for the beloved students". What makes us happy is that the students are making progress and receiving the love of the local people. Even now, although we have been retired for many years, we still receive the affection of our colleagues, parents, students and friends.

Teacher Le Thi Bich Lien - Teacher at Tra Lan Secondary School (Con Cuong)

Photo: My Ha

In 2021, I was awarded the title of Excellent Teacher by the Party and the State, which is a very noble title, recognizing my contributions to the education career. I myself am very honored, proud and feel that I need to be more responsible in my education career.

After nearly 30 years of working in the profession, witnessing the changes in education in our province, especially in mountainous districts with many difficulties such as Con Cuong district, we are even more delighted because education has made remarkable progress. I still remember, when I first graduated and was assigned to work at Luc Da Secondary School, teaching conditions were still very difficult. To get to school and encourage students to go to school, teachers had to climb mountains, wade through streams, stick to the school, stick to the village...

Because of our love for the profession, we have never thought of quitting or transferring to a new, more favorable place. To achieve the results we have today is a very long process, with failures… But no matter what the circumstances are, we always encourage each other and strive together.

The current job also puts teachers under a lot of pressure. But I think, to meet the requirements, teachers must constantly learn, always approach new things and must explore and be creative so as not to fall behind and to expand and master knowledge.…