Behind the success of generations of pupils lies the quiet dedication of teachers who are wholeheartedly committed to the noble cause of education. Each teacher embodies the spirit of "Every teacher is a role model in ethics, self-study, and creativity," striving to advance the city’s education sector.

Ms. Pham Thi Phuong Dung (middle) with award-winning pupils from Le Quy Don Senior High School for the Gifted. Photo: X.H

With over 26 years of service at the Da Nang Inclusive Education Development Support Centre, Ms. Tran Thi Ngan understands that pupils with disabilities need more than just family love. They also need support from teachers, friends, and society as a whole. Recalling her early days in the teaching profession, Ms. Ngan shared that she initially felt uncertain and faced numerous challenges in teaching visually impaired pupils.

Determined to enhance the quality of her teaching, she learned Braille and spent time getting to know her pupils better. Seeing each group of pupils grow, find meaningful jobs, and take care of themselves fills her with pride. Later, Ms. Ngan was assigned to teach pupils with intellectual disabilities. For these pupils, she not only teaches academic subjects but also life skills such as expressing their needs, maintaining personal hygiene, cooking, and doing small tasks around the home.

In the 2023-2024 school year, her initiative “Methods for Teaching Food Preparation Skills to Pupils Aged 14-18 with Intellectual Disabilities” brought valuable skills training to her pupils. With love and dedication, she aims to bridge some of the gaps for her pupils, helping them make steady progress each day. "Teaching children is challenging, and teaching children with disabilities is even more so. They can become agitated when they cannot express their thoughts or emotions. Therefore, teaching them requires patience, empathy, and understanding to avoid causing them distress,” Ms. Ngan explains.

For Ms. Pham Thi Phuong Dung, a teacher at Le Quy Don Senior High School for the Gifted, inspiring pupils to delve into Chemistry is her constant concern. She notes that her pupils are diligent and have a strong academic foundation, which requires her to constantly seek advanced knowledge to share with them.

With over 14 years at this school and a decade spent preparing pupils for academic competitions, Ms. Dung and her pupils have achieved numerous accolades. In the 2023-2024 academic year, the school earned two international medals in Chemistry, a bronze medal at the Chemistry Project Olympiad in Russia and another bronze at the 58th Mendeleev Chemistry Olympiad in Shenzhen, China. Additionally, all eight pupils achieved national honours, and 27 pupils won city awards in Chemistry. Watching her pupils reach new academic heights fills her with pride.

“Knowledge is an endless horizon, and I want to nurture and inspire my pupils' passion for exploring it. Each step they take and each achievement they earn motivates me to strive harder in my educational career,” Ms. Dung shares.

According to Le Thanh Hai, Principal of Le Quy Don Senior High School for the Gifted, Ms. Pham Thi Phuong Dung is a dedicated educator, especially in training pupils for competitions. Ms. Dung leads the way in innovating teaching, assessment, and the integration of technology into her work, ensuring that educational quality is maintained and improved year after year.

With their commitment to education, Ms. Ngan and Ms. Dung are among the outstanding teachers nominated for the 2024 Da Nang Exemplary Teacher Award. Pham Tan Ngoc Thuy, Deputy Director of the Da Nang’s Department of Education and Training, states that the 2024 Da Nang Exemplary Teacher Award recognises and honours outstanding teachers who have excelled in the city’s educational movement. It also encourages the ethos of "Every teacher is a role model in ethics, self-study, and creativity" across the education sector, inspiring educators to continue their passion and dedication to the noble cause of teaching.

The teachers nominated for this award are exemplary figures known for their innovation and creativity in teaching, training, and preparing talented student teams, fostering a positive influence throughout the city’s education sector.

Reporting by XUAN HA - Translating by TRUC VY