If the only goal is to teach so that students understand the lesson, then we already have… ChatGPT.

I am destined to be a teacher. 1982 was my first year teaching, and it was also the first time the whole country celebrated Vietnamese Teachers' Day. Having been involved in the profession for 43 years, I have witnessed the tremendous changes in the country and the education sector, with many different levels of innovation: some positive, some steps that raise concerns, but my love for the profession has never faded.

The noble tradition of teachers is built upon stories more beautiful than fairy tales, with contributions as vast as white clouds, visions as far as the Pacific Ocean , and heights as high as Mount Everest that are difficult to fully comprehend. However, from the opposite perspective, teachers should never "try to win against their students."

I remember, during my final psychology exam as a student, after answering the questions, I received another question from the professor: "If a student swears at you, how would you handle it?" Gathering my composure, I used examples from the educational experiences of brilliant teachers to illustrate the psychology of young students – their unpredictable resistance – and then presented a solution, the core of which was self-restraint and gradually influencing the student. Recalling this past experience helps me reflect on the present and reminds young teachers that they should never try to win against their students. Students always want to be treated gently, kindly, with understanding and empathy.

Once, a student cried because she answered incorrectly multiple times due to my relentless questioning. Later, she texted me explaining that she cried because she was disappointed in herself for not understanding the lesson, lack of sleep, and poor test performance, not because I raised my voice. This message "healed" me. This shows that if you only teach to help students understand the lesson without understanding their thoughts, feelings, and emotions, then you're just... ChatGPT!

Teaching is not just about carrying planned content; more importantly, it's about using the warmth of your heart.

PHOTO: DAO NGOC THACH

When I was a principal, I made it a habit to visit classrooms to see the difference in how teachers approached the class. Many teachers created a tense and stifling atmosphere with their stern demeanor. In a context where students are increasingly intelligent and talented, teachers need to innovate and be creative. While the use of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) is necessary, the character of the teacher is paramount. No robot can replace the "transformation of feelings" from heart to heart between teacher and student in a happy school environment.

Therefore, teaching is not just about carrying content according to a plan, but more importantly, it is about the warmth of the heart.

Warmth, connection, and standards should be fostered not only between teachers and students, and teachers and parents, but also between school leaders and teachers. This is the foundation for building a progressive school. Teachers need competent, responsible principals and vice-principals who understand their colleagues.

The teacher's lecture is not just about knowledge, but also about life lessons.

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

That warmth helps teachers fulfill their duties when teaching, guiding experiential activities, or communicating.

The connection between teachers and parents is a particularly important element in maintaining the dignity of the school. No matter how society changes, the integrity of teachers, the politeness of students, and the guidance and exemplary behavior of parents will always be a source of energy for educational development.

A true teacher's lectures are not just about knowledge, but also about a way of life, a way of inspiring, and a way of sowing seeds of purity in the hearts of their students...

A great source of motivation from a compliment.

Exactly 30 years ago, I remember vividly when my family moved from the mountains to a poor neighborhood in the city. Life in the city was so bustling and vibrant, and everything I witnessed there frightened me, a 9-year-old child.

My father enrolled me in a small school not far from home. During my first few months at the new school, I felt completely alone. All the other students shunned me instead of helping me fit in. Some older students even ganged up to bully me.

For three months, feelings of fear and abandonment kept me near the bottom of the class, even though the curriculum wasn't difficult for me.

However, things changed after the summer break when Mr. Huan arrived. He was assigned to be my homeroom teacher, replacing Mr. Tuan, who was ill and hospitalized for an extended period. Mr. Huan was very strict, but he never spoke harshly to anyone. Gradually, the class became more orderly, and my troubles decreased significantly. One thing that comforted me was that Mr. Huan was also a simple, down-to-earth person from a rural area.

One day I'll never forget was when Mr. Huan announced the midterm exam results. He looked around the class, at each student, and when he got to me, he paused for a long time, making me feel nervous. But then he cheerfully said, "You all did very well on this exam, but there's always one person who does best. I congratulate all of you." Needless to say, I was overjoyed, because every time Mr. Tuan read out the exam scores, I was criticized, and I was terrified of hearing my grades announced.

At the end of that day's class, Mr. Huan asked me to stay behind. I was scared, timidly approaching him, stammering, "Sir…". "Oh, Ket, you did very well on the test today, excellent!" I burst into tears, something I had never done since arriving here. Mr. Huan comforted me, "Don't be afraid, try your best, I'm always here for you." Mr. Huan's words changed my life. I always had the image of him encouraging and helping me move forward. I became myself again, the top student in the class at the end of that school year, just like when I was in school in the mountains. In the years that followed, I was always at the top of my class.

Even much later, after graduating from university and working for many years, I never forgot the image of Mr. Huan. Recently, I was overjoyed to the point of tears when, through an old classmate, I learned his address after 30 years of separation. I didn't hesitate to travel long distances to visit the teacher I respected most in my life.

Meeting my teacher again, I burst into tears, the memories of that day suddenly coming back to life as if they were yesterday. He said exactly as he did 30 years ago: "Oh, Kết, you're still as weak as ever." Then I fell silent as he recounted: "That day, your assignment only received an average grade, but you tried your best. Looking at you, I saw myself many years ago. Back then, a word of encouragement from your teacher helped me overcome everything. I believed you would too, which is why I asked you to stay that day to offer my encouragement. And I wasn't wrong in my assessment."

Yes, a well-timed compliment is truly wonderful, because it motivates me, you, and everyone else who is feeling hopeless to strive for success in their studies and lives.

Le Thi Ket ( Hanoi City)

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/neu-chi-giang-de-tro-hieu-bai-thi-da-co-chatgpt-18525111511550654.htm