Diligently helping students reach their dreams

On the occasion of the recent April 30 holiday, I contacted teacher Thai Thi Xuan Thuy - 54 years old; Head of the Social Sciences Group, teaching literature at Vo Lai High School, Tay Son District, Binh Dinh Province - when she was engrossed in her lesson plans. "Her joy is having time to invest in teaching" - she expressed.

wholehearted guidance

The familiar, dear voice of Ms. Thai Thi Xuan Thuy revived a world of memories in me.

Entering the industry in 1994, Ms. Thuy has taken many students on the ferry of knowledge. The ferry with many "children's dreams" has been formed from countless deposits: doctors, engineers, lawyers or teachers like her. I am also a lucky ferryman on the journey guided by her. It is a journey filled with many emotions.

Ms. Thai Thi Xuan Thuy (2nd from right) at an event at Vo Lai High School. (Photo provided by the character)

I first met Ms. Thuy in 10th grade, when she taught literature. My first impression of her was of a middle-aged teacher with short hair, always wearing a short-sleeved shirt and dark trousers. Some of my classmates were worried because she seemed very strict. But after just a few lessons, the prejudice gradually broke down. Behind that strong, rigid appearance was a soft heart, devoted to her students.

At the end of 10th grade, I was selected to join the literature enrichment class, based on my academic results and a seemingly joking question from the teacher: "Do you want to take the provincial exam, Truc?". Her immediate nod sent me on a journey of revision for the next few summer months. The stacks of exam questions from previous years, advanced content, or general knowledge of literary periods... were carefully compiled by the teacher and bound into A4-sized papers and given to each of us. She did not force us to "study day and night". What she imparted to us was literary thinking, how to approach the questions, and how to stimulate creativity in each individual.

"Literature is not about following a predetermined pattern," she said, then smiled every time a student came back to thank her after winning an award: "It's all thanks to your talent and efforts."

Support with love and kindness

At that time, I passed the entrance exam to Ho Chi Minh City University of Law but the door to the lecture hall was still just opening. As a child from a poor family, whether I could go to university or not was still a mystery. In the long days after receiving the results, there were many sleepless nights with my admission notice, and tears rolling down...

Ms. Thuy made an appointment to meet me one afternoon just after sunset. Over a cup of coffee, the teacher and student were silent for about 10 minutes. It seemed like there was too much to say, but it seemed like there was no need to put it into words thanks to her empathy. Then she pulled out a small envelope and placed it on the coffee table. "It's not worth much, take this, consider it as transportation fare to Ho Chi Minh City to enroll in school" - she said softly and looked at me kindly.

Her gaze was full of pity for the little student who was in dire straits. 500,000 VND was quite a lot at that time, enough for a round trip. I hesitated for a long time, finally accepting her kindness after she said: "When you graduate, you can pay however you want. But for now, you need to go to university."

Holding the envelope in my hand, I felt my heart pounding. The pounding rose straight to my eyes, blurring my eyelashes. It seemed like she was also hastily wiping the red corners of her eyes.

With her 500,000 VND, I took my first step into the gate of Ho Chi Minh City University of Law. The day I received my excellent graduation certificate, I just took out my phone to call Ms. Thuy and burst into tears. I had been holding back those tears for 4 years, that afternoon at the coffee shop. Those tears were filled with happiness mixed with gratitude. It seemed that saying thank you was not enough, I heard her sniffling on the other end as she expressed her joy to her former student...

Ms. Thuy is only 3 years away from retirement, but every time I call to check on her, she always says she is preparing a teaching plan or busy with school work. That boatman is still working hard on her noble mission, occasionally supporting those in difficult circumstances who need to continue going to school like me in the past.

Never asking for anything in return, she gave freely with the only wish that we reach our dreams and become useful people to society. She not only passed on her love for literature to me but also her kindness and love…

The fire never goes out

Even though I later did not pursue a career in literature or teaching like Ms. Thuy but instead chose the law, I always nurtured that love like an ever-burning flame in my heart. Then, in my debates, my sentences became concise and fluent; in my analysis of case details, I had more gentleness and sympathy to consider "reasonably and appropriately". I just kept growing up day by day through her lessons, turning the love she sent into motivation to live a better life.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/miet-mai-giup-hoc-tro-cham-toi-uoc-mo-196250508204626092.htm