The teacher-student bond endures through the years.

Ha Tinh is a land renowned for its tradition of valuing education and respecting teachers. This tradition is being preserved by generations through stories of the deep bond between teachers and students that have endured through the years.

Deep and profound affection

Mentioning teacher Tong Tran Lu, former Vice Principal of Ha Tinh Specialized High School, many generations of students in the homeland of Hong Mountain - La River still fondly remember the kindness he bestowed upon them on their journey of knowledge. As for the respected teacher himself, even at the age of 80, he still feels emotional whenever he recalls his 38 years of teaching and the 38 "journeys" he has taken his beloved students on.

Mr. Tong Tran Lu - former Vice Principal of Ha Tinh Specialized High School.

In 1968, after graduating from the Faculty of Literature (Vinh University, Nghe An ), Mr. Tong Tran Lu (born in 1943 in Son Ninh commune, Huong Son district) was assigned to teach at Nghi Xuan High School, now Nguyen Du High School. From 1976-1980, he worked at Ha Tinh Teacher Training College, now Ha Tinh University; from 1981-1990, he taught at Le Huu Trac High School (Huong Son). From 1991-2006, Mr. Lu was the Vice Principal of Ha Tinh Specialized High School, after which he retired.

In recounting his teaching experiences, the teacher mentioned many generations of students, some of whom have achieved success in various fields, as well as those who lead simple lives filled with love and affection. For him, besides academic knowledge and career achievements, what he cherishes most is that the generations of students he has taught have always known how to live decent lives and continuously contribute to their country and homeland. One of the students Mr. Lu spoke of with pride and affection was Associate Professor, Dr. Hoang Trong Canh (Vinh University).

Teacher Lu with his photo album containing pictures of many generations of students.

Teacher Canh was one of the first students when Teacher Lu came to teach in Nghi Xuan. “He was a gentle student from Xuan Yen village, from a poor family but a bright student with beautiful handwriting and fluent, concise writing. Later, after achieving much success, he told me: 'I chose the teaching profession because I admire your way of life...' For me, that statement, as well as Hoang Trong Canh's success, is a motivation, inspiration, and source of pride that helps me strive to dedicate myself to the teaching profession until now,” shared Teacher Tong Tran Lu.

It is known that, even after decades have passed, Associate Professor, Dr. Hoang Trong Canh still regularly contacts and visits his teacher, Mr. Lu, with thoughtful care.

Recalling the kindness of his students, Mr. Lu remembers a deeply moving and unforgettable memory. It was in October 2022, when he faced a life-threatening illness due to a myelodysplastic syndrome. The disease struck suddenly, requiring him to be rushed to the Ha Tinh Provincial General Hospital. Upon hearing of his illness, former students from all over the country showed their concern and care by visiting him.

Among them, Dr. Pham Huu Da, Head of the Cardiology and Geriatrics Department of the hospital, a former student of Professor Lu, dedicated all his efforts to saving his teacher. Returning from the brink of death, Professor Lu said he was deeply moved by the care and concern his former students provided him during his ordeal, like a father figure. Along with the medicine and medical treatment, the emotional support from his students was incredibly effective in helping him overcome his illness.

Teacher Tong Tran Lu and his wife, Bui Thi Tan, reminisced about their experiences in teaching.

These days, as generations of students across Vietnam, and especially in Ha Tinh, eagerly express their gratitude to their teachers on Vietnamese Teachers' Day (November 20th), Mr. Tong Tran Lu and his wife, Ms. Bui Thi Tan, have the opportunity to reminisce about their teaching journey through the greetings and inquiries of their former students.

Speaking about his teaching career, Mr. Lu expressed: "Time has passed, but for me, every step I've taken on the podium, every generation of students, is filled with beautiful memories. I am a teacher who imparts knowledge to my students, but it is their efforts in learning, their successes, and the affection they have for me that inspire and encourage me to fulfill my mission as a teacher."

Love story at the seaport

During the recent 30th anniversary celebration of Pho Hai Secondary School (Nghi Xuan), hundreds of former students returned along with distinguished guests to reminisce about old times and reunite with their former teachers. Among them, the group of classmates from class B, graduating in 1998-2002, showed a large turnout.

Ms. Ngo Thi Hao (born in 1987), the former class president, said: “As soon as I received the information, I informed my classmates in the class group, and they enthusiastically participated. Besides visiting our old school, this is an opportunity for us to meet our former teachers again and satisfy our longing after many years of separation.” One of the teachers that Ms. Hao and her classmates were looking forward to meeting was Ms. Tran Thi Thuan (former math teacher at Pho Hai Secondary School).

A group of former students took a photo with Ms. Tran Thi Thuan (holding flowers in the front row, in the middle) during their recent visit to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Pho Hai Secondary School (Nghi Xuan).

Ms. Tran Thi Thuan (born in 1952, currently residing in Xuan Pho commune) graduated from the Ha Tinh 10+3 Teacher Training School, now Ha Tinh University, in 1977. She spent 33 years teaching at various schools, including Xuan My Secondary School and Dan Truong Secondary School. Before retiring in 2010, Ms. Thuan worked at Pho Hai Secondary School for over 10 years. Although now over 70 years old and having left the teaching profession for quite some time, many generations of students still remember her fondly.

Ms. Ngo Thi Hao shared: “Back then, my class had 48 students, mostly children from farming families with difficult circumstances. My impression of the teacher was the love she showed her students. She taught enthusiastically and never scolded them, even if they didn't know their lessons or misbehaved. She cared about each student's situation. Despite her family's poverty at the time, she still set aside a portion of her meager salary to buy textbooks and supplies for students in need. A memory that I will always cherish is of a student who was very mischievous and even disrespectful, but the teacher didn't get angry; instead, she gently analyzed the situation and advised him. As the class leader, she always reminded me to pay attention to him, encourage him, and help him gradually understand the issue...”

Ms. Ngo Thi Hao (a former student of Pho Hai Secondary School, Nghi Xuan) and Ms. Tran Thi Thuan during a recent visit to the school.

Years have passed, and now the students of Class B, graduating in 1998-2002, of Pho Hai Secondary School have grown up. Each of them has their own job, family, and lives and works in various parts of the country. However, whenever they reminisce about their school days, they all remember Ms. Tran Thi Thuan with deep respect and gratitude. Her dedication to her students, her tireless efforts in teaching and cultivating beautiful character in her village school in the coastal region, has been a valuable asset for generations of students, inspiring them to continuously improve themselves and contribute to society.

The story of teacher Tong Tran Lu and teacher Tran Thi Thuan, along with their generations of students, is a pure and heartfelt melody in the grand symphony of the teacher-student relationship in Ha Tinh. Stories of teachers tirelessly working day and night in schools in mountainous and remote areas to impart knowledge to their students; stories of former students contributing to building memorials for their deceased teachers and houses for impoverished teachers in various localities... are all contributing to the strengthening of the tradition of valuing education and respecting teachers in the people of Ha Tinh.

In the vibrant atmosphere leading up to Vietnamese Teachers' Day, alongside each teacher striving to teach well and contribute to nurturing knowledge, are the students working hard to earn good grades, together weaving stories of enduring teacher-student bonds that will last through the years, ensuring that the spirit of learning in the people and homeland of Hong Mountain and La River flows on forever...

Thien Vy

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/nui-hong-song-la/tinh-thay-tro-di-cung-nam-thang/257455.htm