People who are easily forgotten

"First learn manners, then learn knowledge." Although they don't directly teach children to read and write, nannies also have a quiet, demanding profession, shaping children's behavior, politeness, and communication skills.

Tears well up because of unruly students.

Driven by her love for children, Ms. Pham Thi Linh Phuong (nanny at Nguyen Hue Primary School, Ho Chi Minh City) has been dedicated to this profession for 5 years.

She shared that she also wished to become a teacher, but with her current job as a nanny, she can still teach the children practical skills, instill good habits, and develop their character as they grow up.

Although eager to start the job, Linh Phuong said she faced many challenges in her first year.

The gift Ms. Phuong received from her students.

"In my first year, I faced pressure from many sides, including parents, students, and my family. I felt like a blank sheet of paper, not knowing what to write on the first page of my notebook. Many times I lost sleep and appetite. But I was fortunate to meet a colleague and a parent who always encouraged and comforted me, so I managed to overcome all the difficulties," Ms. Phuong said.

But the pressure didn't stop there; at that time, Ms. Phuong also encountered a disobedient student who repeatedly brought her to tears.

"When I was her disciplinary officer, she was in the 4th grade in a class of 45 students. She was always argumentative, very bossy, and mischievous. She bent the long stainless steel spoon used for eating rice and banged it loudly on the desks and chairs while eating. One day, she playfully kicked a classmate in the stomach. At that time, I was new to the school and lacked experience and knowledge of how to handle such situations. But I couldn't abandon the other 44 students for the sake of one. I asked the school administration for support and tried to persuade her with gentle words; sometimes she listened, sometimes she didn't," Ms. Phuong recalled.

The following year, although still attending the school, the student did not come to greet Ms. Phuong on November 20th.

"In my third year teaching at the school, when she was in sixth grade, she came back to the school to see me and wish me a Happy Teachers' Day (November 20th). She said she was sorry for making me sad in the past, and I couldn't hold back my tears. She had changed; she was very well-behaved and polite. I never expected that a student who used to be the most mischievous in the class would one day be so understanding," she recounted emotionally.

"For those of you who have chosen the job of a nanny, please put your heart into the profession and open your arms wide with love to educate the children. Always cherish the understanding and support of parents and love children with a genuine heart so that you can feel that the children are always adorable, worthy of respect, and deserve to be well -educated ," shared Ms. Linh Phuong.

"Plant good trees, and you will reap sweet fruits."

Witnessing the maturity of her once mischievous student, Ms. Phuong confided in his parents. The parents said, "Phuong, you've succeeded! Congratulations! You planted a good seed and now it's bearing sweet fruit…" Ms. Phuong said she was deeply moved and happy, wishing her student continued good health, diligence in his studies, and to be a good son and an excellent student.

Each year brings new lessons and experiences that Ms. Phuong accumulates in her journey of teaching students. She shared that, from that "problematic" student, she gained more confidence and learned many things to do her job better.

Having been encouraged and guided by her teachers during difficult times in high school, Linh Phuong believes that her success today is also thanks to the dedicated teachers of the past. In her current job as a caregiver, she always hopes that the students will be well-behaved, polite, and excel in their studies. She doesn't spoil them, but instead uses love and care to guide and mentor them.

She confided that teachers often receive respect and admiration from parents, while nannies rarely receive such support and understanding.

"But if you love children, I think you should be a little more open-minded. I just hope that any nanny who has chosen this job will put their heart into the profession and open their arms wide with love to teach and nurture the children. Always cherish the understanding and sharing of parents and love children with a genuine heart so that you can feel that the children are always adorable, worthy of respect, and deserve a good education. I am always grateful for the parents' concern and thank my students because they are the sweet happiness of their parents and teachers," Ms. Phuong explained.

The unsung heroes behind the podium

Every year on Vietnamese Teachers' Day, November 20th, witnessing teachers receiving attention and congratulations from parents and students, I think of those who are silently working outside the classroom: nannies, librarians, medical staff, janitors, security guards…

Although they are not the ones directly standing on the podium to teach students, they have contributed, are contributing, and will continue to contribute to building the nation's education system.

Some people have been involved in education for decades but have never once received a bouquet of flowers or a greeting on Vietnamese Teachers' Day, November 20th, simply because they are not... teachers standing on the podium. I think many people feel a pang of sadness on this special occasion.

Therefore, I think that, besides teachers, we need to show appreciation to those who work silently outside the classroom. A simple greeting, or even better, a flower or a small gift, will warm their hearts on Vietnamese Teachers' Day, November 20th.

Recently, a friend told me about his plan to give gifts to the security guards and janitors at his son's school. Hearing this, his son said, "Dad, you should give them to the teachers. Why would you give them to the security guards?"

The father had to explain why he was giving gifts to the security guard and the cleaning lady. Finally, his son understood and was extremely delighted.

On Vietnamese Teachers' Day, in addition to teachers who teach in the classroom, we can also express our gratitude to the workers in schools.

ILLUSTRATIVE PHOTO: DAO NGOC THACH

This can be seen as a valuable lesson to help children appreciate the unsung heroes, the manual laborers who are contributing to building a clean, beautiful, and peaceful school.

Some relatives and friends also wondered why the friend wanted to give gifts to the security guard and the janitor at the school. That's understandable, because traditionally, November 20th has been reserved for parents and students to express their gratitude to their teachers.

However, this parent had a different opinion; he believed that all the workers in a school, from the security guard and janitor to the teachers and principal, were contributing to the school.

Let's appreciate all those who are dedicating themselves to the cause of education. Let's teach children to be grateful to those who silently stand by our side.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/ngay-nha-giao-viet-nam-nhung-nguoi-de-bi-lang-quen-185231117115731871.htm