A breath of fresh air from Gen Z teachers.

The math class for 12th grade English students at Nguyen Tat Thanh Specialized High School (Van Phu Ward) became lively right from the start. Instead of beginning with a traditional lecture, the teacher encouraged students to volunteer to solve a practical math problem through a small game. Each participation was converted into points for practice, making the whole class enthusiastic, focused, and actively involved.

The instructor is Mr. Nguyen Khanh Hoa, born in 1997 - one of the outstanding figures of the Gen Z generation of teachers at Nguyen Tat Thanh High School for the Gifted. Returning to his hometown to teach after graduating from Hanoi Pedagogical University, he brought with him the desire to build a teaching style that is both solid in foundation and closely connected to practical applications.

Having been a student specializing in Mathematics himself, Mr. Hoa understands that the most important thing for students is to grasp the essence of the problem in order to know how to apply it. Mr. Hoa shared: “To keep students engaged, I often tell stories or include real-life examples in my lectures, making the theory less dry. Therefore, even though the lesson focuses on theory, I always illustrate with real-life situations, helping students understand deeply and remember for a long time. In review sessions, I organize warm-up games and incorporate group activities to create a fun atmosphere and increase interaction among students.”

Notably, Mr. Hoa always highly values regular assessment grading. Instead of randomly calling on students, he lets them volunteer. Active participation earns extra points, while lack of seriousness results in deductions; at the end of the semester, the regular assessment scores are compiled based on the entire process. This approach encourages students to be more proactive, creating motivation for them to maintain progress throughout the school year.

Teacher Hoa said: "Applying the new method, I have noticed a significant change. Many students prepare their lessons more thoroughly, do extra exercises, and are more confident in volunteering to improve their grades and hone their presentation skills."

Outside of class, Mr. Hoa is also loved by his students for his approachable nature, frequent sharing of career guidance, university study experiences, and life skills. His teaching achievements are also very impressive, with many students winning national awards and gold medals at regional Olympic competitions.

Nguyen Ngoc Anh, a 12th-grade English student, said: “Mr. Hoa’s teaching methods are innovative, creative, and highly practical. Besides mastering the textbook material, we can apply many problems to real-world situations.”

Not only in Math classes, but this "fresh breeze" is also evident in the Literature lessons of Ms. Pham Thi Phuong Thao - a Gen Z teacher born in 1998. Graduating with a degree in Literature Education in 2021, Ms. Thao quickly made her mark thanks to her creative teaching style, emphasizing individual voices and applying modern technology.

In each lesson, Ms. Thao encourages students to present their viewpoints, give presentations, and engage in public speaking and debate, thereby developing their expressive abilities – a crucial element of Literature. All her lectures incorporate technology: PowerPoint, Canva, and applications for organizing learning games. In particular, in the context of the growing prevalence of artificial intelligence, she guides students to use AI proactively and correctly.

"AI can lead to students overusing it and losing their creativity. I guide them to master the tool and hone their reading and writing skills instead of relying on AI," said Ms. Thao.

In the classroom, Ms. Thao is always subtle in understanding her students' emotions. During literature lessons that require reflection, she proactively creates just the right amount of quiet time, helping students focus on appreciating the depth and meaning of the work. At times, she also "warms up" the atmosphere with thought-provoking questions, creating opportunities for students to freely discuss and express their thoughts. After each lesson, she listens to student feedback to adjust her teaching. As a result, the students' affection for Ms. Thao is always warm and close.

Nguyen Ngoc Anh, a 12th-grade student, shared: “Ms. Thao not only teaches lessons from textbooks or theory, but I also get to learn more about works outside of school or related events. In addition, she organizes games and uses interactive whiteboards to provide us with activities and visuals, making it easier for students to understand. Therefore, besides classroom knowledge, we also gain knowledge about society.”

Recently, Nguyen Tat Thanh High School for the Gifted has witnessed a significant transformation with the arrival of 24 young teachers, most of whom are former students returning to contribute after graduating from university. This Gen Z teaching force brings with them a spirit of creativity, the ability to quickly adapt to technology, apply AI, and utilize foreign languages to update teaching materials, thereby demonstrating their professional competence in a short period of time. Their arrival has contributed to enlivening lessons, expanding teaching methods, and building a more modern and dynamic educational environment for students.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa Lan, Principal of Nguyen Tat Thanh Specialized High School, said: "Upon returning, the students brought a fresh and creative spirit to the classroom. Thanks to the guidance of senior teachers, many have proven themselves in the work of nurturing gifted students, creating lively and engaging lessons. Young teachers know how to utilize foreign languages, use artificial intelligence to support their professional work, proactively update materials and innovate teaching methods, helping students to be enthusiastic in class."

Not only do young teachers create a positive impact within the school, but they also strongly inspire students. In the 2024-2025 school year, the school had 33 students from its specialized classes enrolling in teacher training universities – a number that demonstrates the positive influence of the Gen Z generation of educators.

Teacher Nguyen Thi Hoa Lan further shared: "I believe that with a long-term training strategy and a progressive spirit, the young teaching staff will continue to shine and contribute to building a higher quality education system in our province. The school also especially hopes that in the next few years, more students will return to the school to become teachers, continuing to spread the spirit of the younger generation."

The creative and proactive learning spirit of Gen Z teachers has contributed to a new look for Nguyen Tat Thanh Specialized High School in particular and the education sector of the entire province in general. They bring youthful energy, flexibility in teaching, and a close approach to students, making the classroom an open space for exploration and experience. These positive changes are helping the education sector of Lao Cai move closer to its goal of building a modern, effective, and inspiring educational environment for students.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/lan-gio-moi-tu-giao-vien-gen-z-post888496.html