Over the past 26 years, Ms. Tran Thi Ngan, a teacher at the Da Nang Centre for Supporting the Inclusive Education Development, has been attached her life to educating disadvantaged children. Given that she loves for this job and upholds patience and perseverance, Ngan not only helps her pupils overcome difficulties but also builds a foundation for them to be independent and integrate into life with more confidence.

Ms. Ngan teaches life skills to disabled children. Photo: LINH DAN

Till date, the memories of her first days at the centre have still been intact in Ngan’s mind. Those were the clear laughter mixed with the sounds of loud screams and wordless gestures from the hearing-impaired pupils. Faced with a special and challenging environment at that time, Ngan could not help but feel bewildered and worried.

Feelings of joy, sadness, happiness and helplessness have been intertwined throughout her time working. Looking back at each generation of pupils, she cannot forget the first ones, especially H., who suffered from intellectual disabilities and physical weakness.

Despite having to go through many difficulties in studying, he has always shown himself to be a good and determined child and eager to learn. It was H. who helped her gain more confidence in the arduous yet meaningful journey she is on.

Being a teacher for children with intellectual disabilities is not simply about imparting knowledge. Actually, it is a journey of patience and requires infinite perseverance. It is “hard to remember, easy to forget” for these disadvantaged children, so a small lesson can take several hours, even several months for them to learn.

Sometimes, unusual behaviours such as aggression or self-harm by students make her feel helpless, but with the support of colleagues and the motivation of love, she still maintains faith in her career path for the time being.

Ngan confided that contacting those innocent children helped her realize the value of patience and perseverance. “Let’s wholeheartedly help children so that they can help themselves” is the guiding principle that she always keeps in mind and it inspires her to support students with intellectual disabilities to gradually become independent and enjoy a meaningful life.

Teaching children how to integrate into the community requires teachers to be truly dedicated and love children to be able to do their job well. In parallel with mastering professional skills, teachers must use their own love to understand and transform their behavior.

Every day, Ngan’s missions involve teaching children know how to express their thoughts, use sentences to communicate with others; do functional math; take care of themselves, do simple tasks in daily life.
For Ngan, each student who grows up and becomes independent is a great happiness, the positive result of the tireless efforts that she and her colleagues have put in. Seeing the students grow up every day, seeing them integrate into the community and having an independent life is a true joy.

Mr. Ph.M.Q, a parent whose child is in the class that Ms. Ngan is in charge of, said that he feels very happy as his child is taught by kind-hearted teachers like Ngan. After a few days, a few weeks, a few months, every time witnessing his child taking care of himself, cleaning the house, joining with his mother to prepare meals for the whole family, sharing his joys and sorrows, the father feels very happy and emotionally moved.

“This special education journey is sometimes bumpy, but I believe that with the attention of the State, the education sector, the support of social organisations, the perseverance of teachers, the perseverance of families, we will reap certain successes,” Ngan affirmed.

In addition to understanding the children's disabilities and the methods for special needs, Ngan always has to research and create games through learning to attract them. She is always persistent, patient and treat them like her own children. Indeed, it is the children who have given her more motivation. Therefore, she is considered a creative teacher in the centre’s scientific research.

Ms. Dang Thanh Tung, the Deputy Director of the Da Nang Centre for Supporting the Inclusive Education Development said: “Ngan is an energetic, creative, exemplary teacher who is patient and hard-working in teaching disabled children and is very dedicated to her profession and living harmoniously with colleagues. Ms. Ngan is also a shining example in the movement ‘Each teacher is an example of morality, self-study and creativity’”.

Ngan has received the ‘Outstanding Teacher’ award granted by the Da Nang People's Committee in recognition of her contributions in the 2023 - 2024 school year.

Reporting by LINH DAN - Translating by A.THU