If you only teach so that students understand the lesson, then there is already… ChatGPT

I am destined to be a teacher. 1982 was my first year teaching and also the first time the whole country celebrated Vietnam Teachers' Day. After 43 years in the profession, I have seen the great changes in the country and the education sector, with many levels of innovation: some positive, some steps that still cause concern, but my love for the profession has never faded.

The noble tradition of teachers is built from stories more beautiful than fairy tales, with merits as vast as white clouds, vision as far as the Pacific Ocean , and heights as Mount Everest that are difficult to compare. However, on the other hand, teachers should never "try to win over students".

I still remember, when I was a student, in the final exam of psychology, after answering the question, I received an additional question from the teacher: "If a student swears at you, how do you handle it?". Gathering all my composure, I demonstrated from the educational stories of the brilliant teacher to the psychology of young students - unpredictable resistance - then proposed a solution, the core of which is to restrain myself and gradually influence the students. Remembering the past to think about today and want to remind young teachers that teachers should never try to win over students. Students always expect to be treated gently, friendly, sharing and understanding by teachers.

Once, a student cried because he answered wrongly many times because I asked too many questions. Afterwards, he texted me explaining that he cried because he was disappointed in himself for not understanding the lesson, lack of sleep, and bad test performance, not because the teacher was loud. This message "healed" me. This shows that if you only teach so that students understand the lesson but do not understand their thoughts, feelings, and moods, then you are just... ChatGPT!

Teaching is not only a boat carrying planned content but more importantly with the warmth of the heart.

PHOTO: DAO NGOC THACH

When I was a principal, I had a habit of visiting classes to see the difference in the way teachers entered the classroom. There were quite a few teachers who made the classroom atmosphere tense and stuffy because of their serious attitude. In the context of students becoming more intelligent and talented, teachers need to innovate, be creative, and use technology and artificial intelligence (AI) is necessary, but the teacher's character is important. No robot can replace the "transformation of state" from heart to heart between teachers and students in a happy school.

Therefore, teaching is not only a boat carrying planned content but more importantly, with the warmth of the heart.

Warmth, connection, and standards not only from teachers - students, teachers - parents, but also from school leaders - teachers. This is the foundation for building a progressive school. Teachers need principals and vice principals who are competent, responsible, and understanding of their colleagues.

Teachers' lectures are not only knowledge but also lessons in being human.

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

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

The connection between teachers and parents is an especially important material to maintain the dignity of schools. Although society changes, the nobility of teachers, the politeness of students, the teachings and examples of parents will always be the source of energy for the development of education.

A true teacher's lectures are not only about knowledge, but also about a way of life, a way of inspiration and the way teachers sow purity into the souls of their students...

Great motivation from a compliment

Exactly 30 years ago, I still remember clearly when my family moved from the mountains to a poor neighborhood in the city. Life in the city was so bustling and vibrant, life and everything witnessed here made a 9-year-old child like me feel scared.

My father enrolled me in a small school not far from home. During my first few months at the new school, I was completely alone. All the students avoided me instead of helping me to integrate. Some older students even gathered together to bully me.

For three months, the fear and abandonment made me almost at the bottom of the class, even though the curriculum was not difficult for me.

However, after the summer break, everything changed when Mr. Huan appeared. Mr. Huan was assigned to be my homeroom teacher instead of Mr. Tuan, who was sick and had to stay in the hospital for a long time. Mr. Huan was very strict, but he did not speak harshly to anyone. Gradually, the class became more orderly, and my troubles also decreased a lot. One thing that comforted me was that Mr. Huan was also a simple, rustic person from the countryside.

One day I will never forget was when Mr. Huan announced the midterm exam results. He looked around the class, one by one, and when he came to me, he paused for a long time, which made me feel scared. But then he happily said: "You all did very well on this exam, but there is always one person who did the best. I welcome all of you." Needless to say, I was happy at that time, because every time Mr. Tuan read the exam scores, I was complained about and I was very scared when I heard the scores.

At the end of that class, Mr. Huan told me to stay. I was scared, timidly went to him, stammering: "Sir…". "Oh, Ket, you did a good job today, it was great!". I burst into tears, something I had never done since coming here. Mr. Huan comforted me: "Don't be afraid, try your best, I'm always with you." Mr. Huan's words changed my life. I always had the image of him cheering me on and helping me move forward. I returned to being me, the best student in the class at the end of that school year, just like when I was in school in the mountains. In the following years, I was always the top student in the class.

Much later, when I went to college and graduated and worked for many years, I could never forget the image of Mr. Huan. Recently, I was so happy that I cried when, through an old classmate, I learned his address after 30 years of separation. I did not hesitate to travel to visit the teacher I loved most in my life.

Seeing the teacher again, I burst into tears, the memories of that day suddenly came back to life like new. The teacher said exactly as he had said 30 years ago: "Oh, Ket, you are still as weak as ever." Then I was speechless when he said: "That day, your test score was only average, but you tried your best. Looking at you, I saw myself many years ago. At that time, a word of encouragement from the teacher helped me overcome everything. I believed that you were the same, that's why I called you back that day to give you words of encouragement. And I was not wrong in giving my opinion."

Yes, a timely compliment is magical, because it motivates me, you and those who are desperate to strive to excel in their studies and life.

Le Thi Ket ( Hanoi City)

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