The teacher achieved a "miracle" on the red soil of Tho Son.

There are people whose names, when mentioned, evoke a strange warmth in our hearts. Not because of their dazzling outward appearances, but because of the simple, unpretentious nature and selfless dedication they have infused into every breath of their lives. Teacher Nong Ich Son, a Nung ethnic minority teacher working at Quang Trung Secondary School (in Tho Son commune), is one such person.

Among the outstanding individuals representing the education sector at this year's National Emulation Congress, teacher Nong Ich Son is a prime example of perseverance and unwavering dedication to his profession in a remote school in Dong Nai province.

"A miracle" in the remote area.

Tho Son has undergone many changes today, but in the memories of those working in education, it remains a challenging land with dusty red dirt roads in the dry season and muddy roads in the rainy season. Amidst the sun and wind of this red soil region, Mr. Son dedicated 19 years of his youth to "sowing the seeds of knowledge."

Teacher Nong Ich Son (second from the right) and his colleagues at the 8th National Emulation Congress of the Education Sector (2025-2030). Photo: Phuong Dung

What many people admire most about him is not just his years of service, but his professional expertise. As a Master of Mathematics, he could easily have established a career and earned a good income in the city, but Mr. Son chose to dedicate himself to the poor students of Tho Son commune. When asked why he didn't seek a place with better conditions, Mr. Son simply smiled kindly and said, "Students everywhere need education, but students in disadvantaged areas need me even more."

That need has been concretized by telling numbers. Throughout his dedication, the teacher has guided students to achieve 133 awards for academic excellence at all levels, including 19 national awards, 45 provincial awards, and 69 other awards. For a school in a remote area with many learning challenges, this is truly a "miracle" written from the sweat and intellect of both teachers and students.

To achieve those results, along with his students, Mr. Son had to spend countless hours working tirelessly, day and night. He not only taught knowledge but also instilled self-belief in his students.

In the 2017-2018 school year, Nguyen Thi Cam Van won a national gold medal in 8th grade Mathematics (ranking 5th nationwide). The following school year, she won a national honorable mention in 9th grade Mathematics. Currently, Cam Van is studying Computer Science at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. Cam Van emotionally shared: “For me, Mr. Nong Ich Son is not only my math teacher but also a role model of ethics, responsibility, and lifelong passion for learning. He taught me how to think, but more importantly, perseverance and faith when facing life's difficult problems.”

Mr. Son's strength lies in transforming dry math into inspiring lessons. He doesn't force students into rigid patterns but instead encourages creativity. Ho Nguyen Thao My, a student in class 8A1 at Quang Trung Secondary School, expressed: “Mr. Son explains things very clearly and easily. During class, he always encourages us to speak up and not be afraid to make mistakes. Thanks to his approachable teaching style and timely encouragement, I feel more interested in math and much more confident.”

"Life is about giving, not just receiving for oneself."

Beyond teaching, Mr. Nong Ich Son is also a leading figure in the local education sector. As the Deputy Head of the Core Mathematics Teacher Team, he directly participates in training high school teachers on various modules at the provincial level, evaluates innovative ideas, and designs and grades exam questions for gifted student competitions at all levels. Mr. Son is not a secretive teacher; he is always ready to share his experience and support younger teachers.

Principal Nguyen Thanh Tuan of Quang Trung Secondary School commented: “Mr. Son is a teacher with strong professional ethics and expertise. In him, we see a blend of the intellect of a scientist and the soul of a dedicated educator. He is the heart and soul of the school's gifted student training program, contributing to improving the quality of education in the ethnic minority areas of the locality.” This dedication was deservedly recognized with a Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister in 2025 – a prestigious award for the tireless efforts of a teacher in a remote area.

The example of teacher Nong Ich Son is not only to honor an outstanding individual but also to ignite faith in the power of education. Our country is entering an era of progress, an era of intellect and creativity. People like teacher Son are the "red bricks" building a solid foundation for that era. His contribution is not just the 133 awards for outstanding students, but the hundreds of lives of students in remote areas that have been transformed.

"Learning is the shortest path to venturing out into the world and returning to contribute to the development of our homeland."

Teacher NONG ICH SON, Quang Trung Secondary School, Tho Son Commune

Through his lectures, ethnic minority students have confidently stepped out of their villages and hamlets, conquering the heights of national knowledge, carrying with them the aspiration to build their homeland. Teacher Son has been walking that path, guiding countless generations of students along the same way.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, the image of Mr. Nong Ich Son, a Nung ethnic minority teacher and Master of Mathematics, diligently working on his lesson plans in a remote school, has become a beautiful symbol of silent dedication. Mr. Nong Ich Son – the silent ferryman – has written the most beautiful chapters for education in remote areas, a flower in Tho Son spreading its fragrance and inspiring the community to live beautiful lives.

Phuong Dung

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/van-hoa/202601/nguoi-thay-lap-ky-tich-บน-vung-dat-do-tho-son-c600d7b/