Vocational teachers nurture young talents

(NLDO) - Vocational teachers are not only knowledgeable teachers but also people who inspire passion and cultivate vocational skills in students.

This year's Tran Dai Nghia Award has 10 winners, including 1 teacher and 9 managers from vocational education institutions in Ho Chi Minh City.

Teaching a profession is difficult but "shows" a lot of joy!

Hearing that she was the only teacher to win the award, Ms. Dang Thanh Tam burst into tears of happiness. She tightly hugged the certificate of merit awarded by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee.

Becoming a lecturer at the Faculty of Economics - College of Transport at the age of 24, up to now, Ms. Tam has had more than 17 years of experience in vocational education.

Students attentively follow Ms. Dang Thanh Tam's lecture.

Sharing about her chance to become a lecturer, Ms. Tam said: "My family is poor and I have many siblings. I came from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City to study and work. At that time, my biggest dream was to become a high school teacher, but I was not destined for the job, so I switched to studying accounting and working at a business."

At that time, accounting was considered one of the popular professions, but Ms. Tam did not feel happy. During the day she went to work, and at night she persistently searched for recruitment notices and applied to schools in Ho Chi Minh City.

"At the interview, I prepared my own lesson plan and taught it to many people. The lesson was very instinctive because I had never attended any pedagogical training class. I was overwhelmed with happiness when I received the notice that I was selected for the trial period. A new door opened and has been attached to my life until today" - Ms. Tam recalled.

Showing off a fruit basket given to her by her students on the occasion of November 20, Ms. Tam said that the salary of a teacher is only half that of a business person, but she is very satisfied with her current life.

In her lessons, Ms. Tam often incorporates social knowledge and practical experience to help students visualize the profession more clearly.

"Many times I was angry because students were caught up in part-time jobs and neglected their studies. There were cases where I had to advise them to the point that both the teacher and the student burst into tears. I also experienced the time of "plowing" to earn money to go to school. Instead of warning and deducting attendance points, I became friends and guided students to arrange their time more scientifically" - Ms. Tam shared.

Throughout the time teaching vocational education, although it is difficult, there is a lot of joy, especially on career anniversaries or Tet holidays.

"The love my students give me is a priceless gift, expressed through text messages and phone calls. Even after graduating, my students still remember me. That is the happiness of this profession!" - Ms. Tam proudly said.

Fostering young talent

Sharing with reporters, Mr. Luong Xuan Thanh, Principal of Ho Chi Minh City Dance College (District 3), said that this year, the school held a graduation ceremony for students on Vietnamese Teachers' Day, November 20. This is a special gift for the school's students and teachers.

Mr. Thanh confided that in his performing career, he had suffered two knee and back injuries, the last time in 2015. Since then, he had to stop performing on stage.

Not letting his spirit decline, Mr. Thanh decided to switch to management and teaching. With the experience he had gained during his career, he brought a new breeze to the Ho Chi Minh City Dance College.

Mr. Luong Xuan Thanh (right cover) is an outstanding manager receiving the 2nd Tran Dai Nghia Award in 2024.

For Mr. Thanh, even though he cannot perform under the stage lights, when he sees his students graduate and shine on stage, he always smiles brightly and considers it the priceless happiness of his profession.

"Dance is a very special art form. The formal training program lasts 4-6 years, the study time is long but the career commitment is short, and the remuneration in the industry is still limited. Therefore, I really love and appreciate young students who stick with the profession" - Mr. Thanh confided.

Speaking of his colleagues with pride, Mr. Thanh said that teachers face difficulties with low salaries, low benefits, and high teaching pressure. However, those difficulties cannot bury the passion for the profession. The proof is that both teachers and students are drenched in sweat after each lesson; tired but happy.

"People often tease me that I have strengths and participate in many contemporary dance projects but teach Vietnamese folk dance. To me, folk dance is very rich, depicting the spiritual life, cultural beliefs, and national spirit typical of each region. Teaching this subject also contributes to preserving the nation's cultural arts" - Mr. Thanh confided.

The graduation exam program of Ho Chi Minh City Dance College is elaborately invested. Photo: School's Fanpage

According to Mr. Thanh, to preserve and pass on this invaluable asset to the next generation, there needs to be a coordinated policy mechanism for students from the time they enter school and then for theaters and art troupes. The mechanisms and policies for traditional art subjects need to be prioritized to keep up with the practical needs of society.

Facing the "wave" of technology, both teachers and students must coordinate and update new knowledge and training methods. In 2024, Ho Chi Minh City Dance College sent two young teachers to Hong Kong (China) to improve their expertise. In the coming time, the school will nominate excellent graduates to study in some places around the world.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/nguoi-thay-day-nghe-nang-buoc-tai-nang-tre-196241120121043149.htm