The 'teacher' teaches tirelessly from the heart

In the Northwest, the July sunshine is still golden as honey. Each drop of shimmering sunlight dances as if teasing the dark green leaves of the banyan trees swaying in the wind.

Today, my school had its 6th grade entrance exam. Turning to my colleague sitting next to me, I saw her beaming with a bright smile because among the students who passed the 10th grade entrance exam was the name of a "special" student from her class, who achieved a high score compared to the admission requirements. I saw a glint of tears in that smile. The colleague I want to mention in this article with deep admiration is Ms. Pham Thi Thom, a science teacher at 19/5 Secondary School in Mai Son commune, Son La province – the school where I currently work.

Four years of persistent and patient giving alongside her special student.

Before working at 19/5 Secondary School, Ms. Thom spent six years working in schools in particularly disadvantaged areas of Dien Bien province. In 2013, Ms. Thom transferred back to her hometown district. Her journey of spreading knowledge and giving love continued.

Kim Chi has shown positive changes in the new school year (photo taken with Ms. Thom during the middle of the first semester of the 2024-2025 school year).

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR

Among many "special" students, there was one student in Ms. Thom's class whose worrying "specialness" always troubled her. That student was Nguyen Kim Chi. Chi transferred to Ms. Thom's class at the beginning of the second semester of 6th grade. She had a somewhat tomboyish appearance, short hair, dressed like a boy, and often wore a face mask. She was almost introverted, withdrawn, and unwilling to interact with her classmates; sometimes she seemed indifferent, inattentive in class, and lacked the motivation to learn. Particularly concerning was Chi's frequent absences from school without explanation.

Noticing her student's unusual behavior, Ms. Thom went to her home to encourage and talk with her parents. Through her observations, Ms. Thom learned that Kim Chi was suffering from "social disconnection," manifested by "a loss of interaction with others and a disconnect from her environment." Within her family, she didn't want to communicate, share, or exchange anything with anyone – something she hadn't done before. Kim Chi consistently showed signs of withdrawal and resistance to her parents' requests.

After spending time learning about the illness, Ms. Thom chose to go to class every day if she saw Kim Chi's seat was empty, and whenever she didn't have class, she would go to Kim Chi's house. Knowing Kim Chi was inside, she would call out, but if Kim Chi didn't open the door, Ms. Thom would stand outside for hours, talking through the door to talk to and encourage her student.

There were times when she arrived and only her younger sister, a fourth-grade student, was fumbling around cooking rice by herself because their mother had gone back to her hometown, their father was out driving, and Kim Chi was just sleeping. Teacher Thơm patiently stayed, chatting with Chi and her sister while helping them. Then, regularly every Sunday, she would go down to their house to talk with their mother to better understand Chi's treatment process and to keep track of her follow-up appointments.

The more stories Ms. Thom heard about Chi, the more she felt sorry for her, and then she went inside. When Chi saw her teacher, she made an excuse to go to the restroom to avoid her. Ms. Thom remained persistent and patient, waiting for Chi to come out, and many times she had to leave after "talking to herself" from outside the restroom door. In class, she asked the female students to pay more attention to, proactively talk to, and get closer to her "special" student. The teacher also encouraged Kim Chi to join the class's performing arts group so that she would have the opportunity to socialize and participate in group activities. Although Chi refused many times and once even quit practicing, the teacher did not lose heart.

I vividly remember the end-of-year 2023-2024 school year review of Chi 's academic performance . Chi was in 8th grade at the time. When the school's teaching council considered her case, many subject teachers disagreed with the teacher's suggestion to give Chi a "good" rating for her conduct because she frequently missed classes without reason and hadn't actively participated in class discussions. The atmosphere during the review became somber. Then, Ms. Thơm stood up, her voice choked with emotion, and shared: "Please give Chi a chance to prove her efforts and change. As her homeroom teacher, having been with Chi for nearly three years, my family and I are seeing positive signs from her. Chi's case requires great care, understanding, and support…"

Kim Chi in a literature class (left) and teacher Thơm with Kim Chi during her lesson.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR

And during the summer months of that school year, whenever she had free time, my colleague would visit Chi's house to chat and check on her. She also invited Chi to her house after asking her parents' permission. Kim Chi became more open with her teacher, telling her about her family, especially how her parents cared for her, asked about her well-being, and were close to her.

Then, at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, on the opening day, while lining up with my students to prepare for the ceremony, for the first time in three years that I had been teaching literature to Ms. Thơm's class, I saw the bright smile of my short-haired student named Kim Chi. This was also one of the rare times I saw her remove her mask and show her face.

During my literature class, Chi raised her hand to contribute to the lesson, and when it came to the practical session, she even volunteered to go to the board to do the exercises with confidence, encouraged by her classmates. This surprising change in Chi was not only noticed by me but also by other teachers in other subjects.

And to have a student as open, friendly, and sociable as Kim Chi is now, it's perhaps impossible without the presence and love kindled in the heart of teacher Thơm. For teacher Thơm, Kim Chi is perhaps the most special student in her nearly 18-year career of educating people.

Kim Chi's positive transformation reminds me of a saying: "Where there is love, there are always miracles." And yes, everyone only has one life to live, so let's make it meaningful and beautiful, as the poet To Huu once said: "People live to love one another."

Ms. Thom during her 4th blood donation.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR

Hope is kindled from a heart full of love.

Not only is she passionate about her career in education, but Ms. Thom also inspires me, my colleagues, and my students with kindness, compassion, and love, with a desire to give without expecting anything in return. From 2017 to the present, this teacher with a heart full of love has volunteered to donate blood seven times and has been eligible to do so four times. "Through my blood, I want those less fortunate, those in difficult circumstances, to see hope at the end of the road that they previously thought was darkness and despair," Ms. Thom shared.

There's a saying: "A great teacher is one who teaches from the heart, not from books." Teacher Thơm is like a small ray of sunshine illuminating our souls, sowing positive energy in the hearts of teachers like us, instilling in the generation of teachers in the highlands the will and faith in a bright future for generations of students. She not only teaches children with dedication, but deep in her heart is perseverance and a heart overflowing with love. And it is precisely because of her journey of perseverance, compassion, and beautiful way of life that we love and cherish the teaching profession even more. A profession that, though difficult and arduous, allows us to give love and receive immense happiness in return.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nguoi-giang-day-miet-mai-tu-trai-tim-185250818115444879.htm