I learn happiness from my students

When I was a student of Philosophy, I dreamed of becoming a university lecturer. I loved discussions about the concept of happiness, about morality, about people in the modern world. I thought that teaching philosophy was a “luxurious” job, talking about lofty things, living with ideas. Then, after graduating, I was introduced to a high school, teaching Civic Education. I was confused.

Honestly, at that time, I thought of this subject as a simplified version of philosophy - dry, easy to understand and somewhat too clear about "right and wrong". I used to think, how could thirteen or fourteen year olds care about justice or happiness like I had read about in books? But then, years of teaching changed me.

I realized that, in the eyes of a silent student at the back of the class, there were so many questions about life that textbooks could not answer. I realized that Civic Education classes are not only for learning legal regulations or ethical standards, but also for students to learn how to understand themselves, understand others, and learn how to find happiness.

A student asked me: “Sir, does living honestly make you happy if others do not treat you well?” That question made me silent for a long time. I realized that the subject I am teaching is not only in the curriculum but also in every beat of the heart of youth - where happiness is not a theory but a feeling.

From that day on, I started teaching differently. I told them about the small joys of giving up your seat to the elderly, of picking up trash in the schoolyard, in the classroom, or of daring to apologize to a friend or a younger sibling. I told them that happiness is not at the end of the road but is found in every step if we know how to listen to our hearts.

And sometimes, during class, I just let the students sit quietly and write a few lines: “What made you happy today?” And the result is that those simple pages sometimes make me want to cry. Because one student wrote: “I feel happy because today my mother smiled when she saw me washing the dishes.” Another student wrote: “I feel happy because my teacher didn’t scold me when I submitted my homework late.”… It turns out that happiness is so simple, it lies in a tolerant look, in forgiveness, in a gentle compliment…

I also relearned my own subjects, learned how to listen, learned how to love, learned how to be happy with my students. I understand that civic education is not only about teaching legal regulations and life skills, but also about sowing the seeds of faith and compassion in people's hearts. And perhaps, there is no greater happiness than seeing those seeds blossom in the light.

Many years have passed, I still keep the habit of walking slowly through the school yard after each teaching session. The sound of the school bell, the laughter of the students, the smell of chalk on my sleeves… all blend together into a peace that is hard to describe. I understand that happiness does not only come from what I teach every day, but more importantly, from what I create with the students every day. And I smile. Because in the end, I know: Happiness is the subject I am still teaching, with all my heart.

Xuan Trong

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/van-hoa/chao-nhe-yeu-thuong/202510/toi-hoc-hanh-phuc-tu-hoc-tro-minh-64a03af/