Teachers are my pillars of support.

- A deeply moving story, depicting the journey of a 10th-grade male student overcoming harsh adversity thanks to the compassion and love of his teacher, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Van, was realistically recreated by Nguyen Tuan Anh, Dang Thu San, and Nguyen Ngoc Anh Thu, students of class 10D2, Chu Van An Specialized High School, in their work "A Pillar of Support". The work excellently won first prize in the "Teachers in My Eyes" competition in 2025 organized by the Department of Education and Training.

A group of students from Chu Van An Specialized High School won first prize in the 2025 "Teachers in My Eyes" competition with their work "A Pillar of Support".

Dang Thu San shared: “‘A Pillar of Support’ is a video project that uses the philosophy in Archimedes’ quote: ‘Give me a fulcrum, and I will lift the earth,’ as a metaphor for the role of a teacher. In our opinion, in life, everyone needs a pillar of support to overcome difficulties and challenges, to live a truly meaningful and happy life. Therefore, we used simple footage and Tuan Anh’s own words to guide viewers through his eventful life and help him find a solid pillar of support.”

Born in the historic land of Chi Lăng, Tuấn Anh's childhood was marked by silence. He was abandoned by his parents at a very young age. His grief compounded when his grandfather, the family's pillar, died of a serious illness, and the devastating Typhoon Yagi swept away their impoverished home, leaving him and his grandmother and two siblings destitute. These events forged a hardened "shell," causing the young student to become withdrawn, depriving himself of the carefree innocence of his peers to shoulder the responsibilities of his family.

On the day Tuan Anh arrived alone in the city to enroll at Chu Van An Specialized High School, filled with uncertainty, he found his "support system" in Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Van, his Literature teacher and homeroom teacher. Her image extended beyond the classroom, manifesting in her everyday care and attention, from helping him spread out his first blanket in the unfamiliar dormitory, to obtaining a school uniform for him, and providing extra tutoring sessions to help him adapt to the new learning environment.

The authors chose the emotional "touchpoint" of the work to be the moment when Ms. Van quietly stayed by Tuan Anh's side, caring for him when he fell ill, like a family member, a mother caring for her child. The tears Tuan Anh had suppressed for so many years burst forth at that very moment. They wanted to show viewers that it was through this understanding and connection that Ms. Van helped Tuan Anh overcome his insecurities, regain his confidence to step onto the stage, participate in group activities, and live life to the fullest during his beautiful teenage years.

Furthermore, the surprise birthday party organized by Ms. Van and all the students of class 10D2 for Tuan Anh was a special detail, a significant milestone that helped Tuan Anh realize that he was not alone. All the love, care, and encouragement from his teacher instilled in Tuan Anh optimism and positivity, leading him to become stronger and ready to be a pillar of support for his loved ones.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Van shared: "I cherish the affection the students have shown me and am happy to have been a source of inspiration for them to create their artwork. It's also a motivation for me to strive even harder as a homeroom teacher. Besides that, another valuable thing I've received isn't the award, but the students' growth. For me, helping them develop courage, intelligence, and compassion is the noblest mission of the teaching profession."

The artwork "A Pillar of Support" received high praise from the judging panel for its profound humanistic message. The work not only celebrates an individual but also represents the spirit of "inspiring others" at Chu Van An High School for the Gifted, where teachers impart knowledge, provide guidance, and serve as a solid support system for students to overcome life's challenges.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/diem-tua-cho-hoc-tro-5072075.html