Woman over 70 still loves teaching

Falling in love with teaching when she was in primary school, Dr. Pham Thi Thu Hang (born 1953) never expected that love to still "burn" inside her 60 years later.

Ms. Pham Thi Thu Hang often spends time reading books or discussing work with her son - Photo V.SAN

Graduating from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Education in 1975 with a degree in French language, Thu Hang was assigned to teach in Song Be. Although she was excited to officially stand on the podium, the urban student at that time was still shocked when this journey began with a series of challenges.

The journey of sowing knowledge

Having to live far from home, with poor facilities and accommodation, not enough salary to live on, students always having to help their families so having very little time for studying... made her overwhelmed with confusion.

"But then I told myself I had to try harder, I couldn't give up because the love the people in that land had for me was so warm and sincere," Ms. Hang recalled. And she partly solved the problem of making a living by teaching English.

A few years later, she was transferred to Ho Chi Minh City to teach at Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted. She admitted that this was one of the biggest challenges in her journey of teaching.

"It must be said that there is a lot of pressure because the students of the school are all at the excellent level or higher, so the knowledge and the way of communication must be different and more advanced. Not to mention that in recent times, due to the development of technology and phones, many students are distracted, making it even more difficult for teachers to communicate.

"Older teachers like us, in addition to constantly improving our professional knowledge, must also proactively learn and approach new technology to improve teaching quality and understand more about our students," shared the former head of the French - Russian - Chinese group at Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted.

According to Ms. Hang, a teacher not only teaches the language but also helps students understand the culture of that country. That is why, when she was in charge of management, she focused on research and created opportunities for students to participate in international exchange programs and cultural exchanges in France, Belgium, etc.

I got zero points in French several times. In my opinion, mastering a foreign language requires great perseverance.

Dr. PHAM THI THU HANG

Work tirelessly

After 32 years of teaching, her passion and concern for education still occupies her mind, so Ms. Hang continues to teach at the French Cultural Exchange Institute and an international school after retirement.

However, she realized that she could only live up to her desires and aspirations in the educational journey if she could steer her own "ship". Therefore, she and her husband - also a famous educator - decided to open another educational institution with the hope of contributing to training generations that are both virtuous and professional, where talent and virtue must go hand in hand.

She and her husband were even more moved when their son also turned to education, accompanying his parents.

Happy after nearly 50 years standing on the podium

"What makes me happiest and proudest when it comes to my education career is seeing the progress, success and happiness of my students in their studies and later life.

I was especially moved when I saw naughty, mischievous children who later became exemplary, successful citizens and always remembered and loved me when we met again.

Some other students became my colleagues and were much better than me. For a teacher, there is hardly anything that makes me happier," the teacher who has been teaching for nearly 50 years emotionally shared.

Vinh San

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nguoi-phu-nu-ngoai-70-van-me-day-hoc-20250816090250479.htm