Young teacher 17 years in difficult land, sowing knowledge for Dao students

For the past 17 years, Ms. Dinh Le Thu has steadfastly stayed at the school and the village, becoming a knowledge incubator for Dao students.

Born in 1988, student Dinh Le Thu grew up in Duong Hoa commune, Hai Ha district (old), Quang Ninh province, cherishing the dream of becoming a teacher since her youth. In 2008, after graduating from school, Thu returned to her hometown to work with a deep love for the land where she was born and raised. This is not only a career choice but also a way for the young teacher to show gratitude to her hometown, sow seeds of knowledge for the future and create positive changes for education in her hometown.

Duong Hoa Primary School is a school far from the city center, with many campuses located far apart. At the campuses, 100% of the students are Dao ethnic, and the physical facilities are still difficult. Ms. Thu does not mind many obstacles and challenges, and perseveres in bringing the light of knowledge to her students.

Ms. Thu (left) came to the house to meet, encourage and ask questions to Dao ethnic students and parents in the 2018-2019 school year.

Upon entering the school, Ms. Thu made constant efforts, quickly asserted her professional competence and achieved many proud achievements. From the 2011-2012 school year to the 2023-2024 school year, in the roles of teaching cultural subjects, homeroom teacher and head of the professional group, she always completed the assigned tasks excellently.

Ms. Thu has been awarded the title of Emulation Fighter at the grassroots level 11 times, with many solutions and initiatives recognized as effective in teaching. Realizing that most ethnic minority students are still shy, afraid to learn, have not clearly defined their learning goals, many of them are forced to learn or learn just to please teachers and parents, Ms. Thu proactively innovated teaching methods to change the students' learning spirit.

The young teacher researched, explored and applied flexible organizational forms suitable for each group of students, helping them feel interested in each lesson. Thanks to that, the students not only deepened their knowledge but also developed many qualities such as solidarity, friendliness, honesty, and responsibility. The results in the lessons and through the periodic tests at the end of the first semester and the end of the school year were significantly improved.

Not only imparting knowledge, Ms. Thu has become a mother, a warm support for orphaned children in remote areas.

In 2014, Ms. Thu taught a class of 5 students named Chiu Gi Linh, a skinny girl who had to drop out of school because her parents left her to work elsewhere. When she learned that Linh was no longer coming to school, she went to her house. Before her eyes, the teacher saw three sisters hugging each other and sitting in a corner. The little student looked at her, sobbing: "Teacher, my mother left, I have no one left."

Ms. Thu (yellow jacket) gives instant noodles and books as gifts to student Chiu Gi Linh (pink hat, holding a book).

         

At an age when her parents should be taking care of her meals and sleep, Linh now has to be both an older sister and a mother to take care of her two younger brothers. That night, with her husband looking after their two-year-old child at home, Ms. Thu decided to stay and comfort the three sisters, encouraging Linh to continue going to school no matter what. Now, the little student has grown up, got married and has a baby girl.

Ms. Thu's biggest dream is to create an educational environment where every student, whether from mountainous, remote, or ethnic minority areas, can access the best learning opportunities.

During her teaching career in ethnic minority areas, perseverance and overcoming difficulties are things that Ms. Thu always reminds herself every day. To reduce the language gap with Dao students, Ms. Thu proactively learned simple communication sentences in Dao language; tried to understand Dao culture and customs to be closer and accompany the students more.

When teaching, she speaks slowly, combining illustrations with pictures, visual aids, and body gestures to help students understand. Outside of class, the teacher takes time to visit students in the village and talk to their parents, thereby building trust and helping students become more confident and bold when going to school.

Ms. Thu organized a Youth Union Congress for 5A students, Duong Hoa Primary School, Hai Phong .

Ms. Bui Thi Thu Nga - Principal of Duong Hoa Primary School, commented: "Ms. Thu is a young and enthusiastic teacher. She not only imparts knowledge but also sows love, fosters good character, and becomes a shining example for students to follow."

Her family is the strongest support for her to stay committed to her career. Although her job is busy, sometimes she has to come home late or spend a lot of time with her students, her husband always understands, shares and silently supports her so that she can work with peace of mind. It is the love and support from her family that gives her strength to devote herself to her teaching career.

After 17 years of working at the school in the land where she was born and raised, teacher Dinh Le Thu feels honored and happy to have contributed a small part to the education of her homeland.

" Although there are still many challenges ahead, with my love for the profession and my love for my students, I always consider it a motivation to try, practice and grow more in my career of educating people ," Ms. Thu confided.

The 8X teacher was honored to receive a Certificate of Merit from the Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province, a Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister for her achievements in work from the 2015-2016 to 2023-2024 school year, contributing to the cause of building socialism and defending the Fatherland; a Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Education and Training for her many contributions to the work of educating and nurturing the young generation; a Certificate of Merit for her outstanding achievements in the career of nurturing and educating the young generation from the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Union in 2025 at the program "Sharing with teachers".

Le Thu

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/co-giao-tre-17-nam-bam-vung-dat-kho-gioo-tri-thuc-cho-hoc-tro-dao-ar988243.html