Impressions of the teacher and students in the History subject at Hung Phong islet.

Hung Phong islet is now part of Phuoc Long commune. Before the provincial merger, Hung Phong islet was also known as Oc islet because it was an island rising from the Ham Luong River. People wanting to travel to this area had to cross the river by ferry. Yet, there is a small school there that has consistently maintained top performance in History at the regional and provincial levels for many years. In the recent provincial-level history competition, the Hung Phong Secondary School's History team swept the awards: 1 first prize, 2 second prizes, 1 third prize, and 1 consolation prize.

Hung Phong islet is now part of Phuoc Long commune. Before the provincial merger, Hung Phong islet was also known as Oc islet because it was an island rising from the Ham Luong River. People wanting to travel to this area had to cross the river by ferry. Yet, there is a small school there that has consistently maintained top performance in History at the regional and provincial levels for many years. In the recent provincial-level history competition, the Hung Phong Secondary School's History team swept the awards: 1 first prize, 2 second prizes, 1 third prize, and 1 consolation prize.

This subject has been considered a "leading tradition" by the school because of its ability to consistently maintain high performance for over 30 years in this small school located on a remote sand dune.

Mai Ngoc Phu, a 9th-grade student (on the right), and Doan Khanh Duy, an 8th-grade student (on the left), are delighted to have achieved high results in the Provincial-level Excellent Junior High School Student Selection Exam for the 2025-2026 school year.

Working tirelessly to inspire students.

Despite difficult transportation conditions and small class sizes of only a few dozen students per grade, the school's History team has consistently produced students winning high-level awards at the district and provincial levels for many years, even surpassing the provincial average in some years. This year, due to regulations on the number of students allowed to participate, the school could only send 5 students to the provincial-level History competition. All of them won awards.

Mai Ngoc Phu, a 9th-grade student who recently won first prize in the provincial history competition, believes that the most important thing in studying history is understanding, not rote memorization. Prior to this, Phu had already won second prize at the provincial level in 8th grade. For her, each event is a story with its causes, developments, and significance. What makes Phu excel in this subject is that she sees her history teacher as a father figure, someone who always cares, encourages, and even calls early to remind her before exams. This affection has given her the motivation to strive harder.

Meanwhile, Doan Khanh Duy, an 8th-grade student who won second prize in History at the provincial level, found his passion in the stories his teacher told. He believes that knowledge is only sustainable when one understands the origins and connections between events. He discovered his love for the subject through films and the way his teacher incorporated engaging stories into his lectures to emphasize important events, helping him remember them for a long time.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Diep, a Literature teacher, when Mr. Dang Van Buu first came to the school, he served as both the Head of the Youth Union and taught Literature, yet he quickly produced excellent students as early as the 1990s. For many years, the school maintained a high number of students winning prizes at the district and provincial levels in History. This year, the results even exceeded the provincial average. Despite a serious setback in 2011, a leg injury that weakened his mobility, Mr. Buu remained determined to stay at the school, and his extensive experience further solidified his position, making a significant contribution to maintaining the teaching and learning achievements at a small school in a remote area, which still faces many obstacles and difficulties.

According to Mr. Pham Thanh Long, Principal of Hung Phong Secondary School, Mr. Buu is a dedicated, passionate, and responsible "ferryman." Mr. Buu has "chosen the right profession" because, outside of class hours, he is always diligently working on lesson plans and constantly researching materials at home.

Perseverance and persistence are the "secrets".

Why has a school located in a remote area, with limited learning resources, been able to maintain a strong "leading tradition" for over three decades? The answer lies in the quiet journey of a teacher and generations of students to whom he has dedicatedly passed on his passion.

Mr. Dang Van Buu (54 years old), a native of the sand dune area, began teaching History at the school in 1993. He recounts that in the early years, attracting students to study History was not easy, as most students preferred Math, Literature, and English. However, through perseverance, year after year, he built up the team, achieved success, and that success became an attraction for subsequent generations.

When asked about his "secret," the teacher just smiled kindly and said, "It's nothing grand, just perseverance and hard work." He humbly added that he still has much to learn from his students, from their innovative approaches.

One of the special things about Mr. Buu's class is the way he makes History more accessible. He finds many ways for students to "feel" History, making the subject, which is often dry and difficult to remember, more "soft" and engaging.

The teacher also placed great emphasis on boosting morale. Whenever former students who won awards returned to visit, bringing snacks and treats, he would share them with the younger generation, both as a reward and as a reminder of tradition. His simple words, invisibly, became a great source of motivation for his students.

There are stories that always move him deeply whenever he recounts them. One such story was in 2012, when Mr. Buu broke a leg and had to be hospitalized. Unable to attend the tutoring sessions leading up to the entrance exams, he still called his students to give them lessons. Although his voice was unclear over the phone, those words of encouragement motivated them to achieve good results.

In over 30 years of teaching, Mr. Buu has witnessed many generations of students grow up. But behind the scenes, guiding students to love history hasn't always been easy. He has often faced opposition from parents who worry that studying history has no future. Some parents even came to his house to say things that deeply hurt him.

“But I persevered in explaining, presenting examples of successful former students in various fields, who received formal training and had stable jobs. The value of History lies not only in career prospects, but also in cultivating character, morality, and patriotism in generations of students…,” the teacher shared. This unwavering commitment gradually changed parents' perspectives and instilled confidence in generations of students regarding the subject of History, while also creating a significant impression for a small school compared to the rest of the province.

Text and photos: CAM TRUC

Source: https://baovinhlong.com.vn/xa-hoi/giao-duc-dao-tao/202605/an-tuong-ve-thay-va-tro-mon-hoc-lich-su-o-con-hung-phong-de6373b/