Parents should not compare their children with 'other people's children'
(Baonghean)- Nghe An Newspaper had a conversation with teacher Ho Thi Huong - Quynh Thien Secondary School (Hoang Mai town), homeroom teacher of the valedictorian of the 10th grade entrance exam in 2019.
The pressure to motivate students
PV:Hello, congratulations to you and the school on the impressive results in this year's 10th grade entrance exam. Are you surprised that the valedictorian of the province is a student from your class?
Teacher Ho Thi Huong:In my heart, I have great confidence in my students because they have participated very well in the exams since the beginning of the school year. Before the exam, I actually had high hopes for two other students in the class (in the excellent student team), but in the end, the results surprised me a lot. Because maybe, if they were the valedictorian of Hoang Mai town, I would be confident, but if they were the valedictorian of the whole province, I would be very happy. I told my students: You have done more than I expected.
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| Class 9A, Quynh Thien Secondary School. Photo: Tuan Anh |
This was also an exam with many other successes of the class because out of 40 students, 37 students scored over 35 points and the students of the class held the position of Valedictorian and Salutatorian of Hoang Mai High School, in addition, there were 6 students in the top 10 of the town. Previously, the class's achievements were also very proud because there were 37 students who achieved excellent students of the town, 17 students achieved excellent students of the province, including 1 First prize, 4 Second prizes, 5 Third prizes, 7 Encouragement prizes.
PV: Right after the announcement of the valedictorian results, many opinions on forums said that "students from district schools and students from remote areas often get higher scores because they develop naturally and are not under much pressure from exams". Do you agree with this opinion?
Teacher Ho Thi Huong: That is not correct. For example, in Hoang Mai town, the 10th grade exam this year is very stressful. Because Hoang Mai 2 High School, where most of the candidates passed the exam in the past, this year is one of the two schools with the highest competition ratio in the province (2 to 1). Hoang Mai High School, although the competition ratio is more "modest", mostly concentrates on good students and the entrance score is often among the top in the province.
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| Teacher Ho Thi Huong and student Luu Duc Tai - Valedictorian of the 10th grade entrance exam in 2019. Photo: Duc Anh |
Before the exam, we were very worried about the students. Besides, the pressure on the homeroom teachers was also very high because the exam results were not simply about the students passing but also trying to achieve high scores to raise the floor score for the class and the school. To get good results, teachers and students had a year of hard work, in addition to teaching knowledge, we also had to guide the students in test-taking skills. Almost every day we had to prepare questions and give detailed instructions to the students...
The difference, perhaps, is that students here do not learn by rote or study one-sidedly, but we require them to cover the entire curriculum, guiding them to develop comprehensively to pursue the subject for a long time, not just study for exams. We also encourage students to be creative in the process of doing the test so that they can develop their full potential. Before each exam, we spend a lot of time comforting and encouraging students, advising them to be comfortable and confident when doing the test.
Our grandparents said, “If you have to take an exam, you have to study.” Therefore, pressure in a certain situation is very good. However, we should create pressure at a certain level, so that the pressure still encourages students. In fact, many students excel thanks to the pressure.
Don't compare your child with "other people's children"
PV: To achieve good results, the role of the homeroom teacher is extremely important. Personally, during your time as the homeroom teacher of the last course, what special memories do you have?
Teacher Ho Thi Huong: It was the first parent-teacher conference of the school year, I held a parent-teacher conference unlike any other. Before this meeting, I asked all the students in the class to write about their thoughts to their parents and let them express their wishes.
At the meeting, when I read the students' writings, many parents were moved. I myself was really surprised when reading the students' writings. Because many students are normally quiet but they think deeply and maturely. They also expressed many opinions that make us think and worry. For example, a student, although he is a good student, still feels pressure from his parents and just hopes that his parents will not compare him and do not expect him to be like "other people's children". Another student just hopes that "Dad, don't drink alcohol, drink less and always be happy with me".
After the meeting, although I did not read the students' names clearly, parents easily recognized that they were their children and some of them came to me to share. I also saw that, for a long time, students were often shy when sharing with their parents and I wanted to be a bridge so that parents and children could understand each other better, so that they could sympathize and parents would accompany their children in the process of their growing up. Through the children's sharing, I also looked back at my role as a father and mother in the family... I understood them better to better fulfill the role of a homeroom teacher.
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| A professional activity session of teachers at Quynh Thien Secondary School (Hoang Mai Town). Photo: Duc Anh |
Teacher Ho Thi Huong:I have worked and been a homeroom teacher in a difficult area for more than 10 years, and there have been many problem students. I am not afraid of problem students. In fact, many "problem" students are due to circumstances such as their parents working far away, no one to take care of them, many students have never had their parents attend parent-teacher meetings during their four years of school.
Problem students in high school are not too complicated, mainly because they skip school, skip school, do not concentrate during class and they are not enthusiastic because the curriculum is not suitable. Before each case, I often find out the situation, contact the family and get close to the students, try to talk to each student privately to find out about their thoughts, feelings and desires. I also often look at the good aspects of them to encourage them. Many students are not good at studying but they like cooking, like sports and then I guide them to the positive aspects to develop and have their own methods for them to progress every day.
Reporter: It is known that you once turned down a better opportunity to transfer to teach at Quynh Thien Secondary School, and refused to be the head teacher of the town’s “high quality” class. Why was that?
Teacher Ho Thi Huong:When I was first assigned, I refused because I was afraid of pressure and that I could not handle the role. Later, to overcome the pressure, I really had to learn a lot. In addition to teaching at school, when I returned home, I had to read books, practice very hard and study by myself to take international certification exams.
To get good results, we also have to accept failure. Like last year, my English provincial excellent student team came up empty-handed. When I received the results, I felt very regretful and disappointed in myself. I even thought, “Maybe my ability is not up to par yet.” After that, I reviewed the entire review process of the teacher and students, found out the limitations to overcome... Luckily, after all the efforts, this year our English team, all 5/5 students who took the exam, achieved the provincial excellent student title.
A good homeroom teacher - I think the title is not important. What is important is that the teacher must be dedicated, close to the students, and help them improve. In the classroom, we should not only focus on good and good students, but also pay attention to all students, so that they can develop their skills comprehensively. As for me, in my work as a homeroom teacher, I do not skimp on compliments and praise by name. But if there is criticism, I will give it to each individual, so that students do not lose their will or feel embarrassed in front of the group.
PV: There have been opinions that the teaching profession is really boring. What is your opinion?
Teacher Ho Thi Huong:I came to the teaching profession naturally because nearly 20 years ago, every family had a simple thought: girls should become teachers. Having been in the profession for quite a long time, I have never regretted my “random” choice, even though there were times when it was very difficult and stressful. Living with the profession, I get to be close to students, interact with them regularly and thanks to that, I feel like I have returned to my childhood.
Teaching is not boring. If you pay attention to the profession, you will see that each year there is a different group of students. And each student is different, a different version, the teacher must worry, must think to have an effective method of contact and teaching.
Thank you for the conversation!
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