Being attached to Duc Tri school is my own destiny. It is like a song of life with many subtle, rhythmic and loving notes.
Indeed, as a student from the countryside, graduating with a university degree in hand and no one to rely on, I carried a pile of documents and traveled all over the city to find a job. Leaving the lecture hall, when I started to stop receiving financial support from my parents, and had the illusion of a dream job, finding a job was not as easy as I thought. And then, I was content with the role of a student manager at a boarding and learning center. For nearly two years, I went to pick up, take care of, and be close to the students, the only thing was that I did not hold a chalk to teach them. Every day, seeing the teachers teaching, I… strangely longed for them.
One day, my college classmate called me and said: “Yen, please bring your application to the principal. I have submitted my application and was called for an interview today. But now I am no longer a teacher and the person I am thinking of is you. Please go and see.”. I was overjoyed and left immediately. The first time I met her, I was surprised and hesitant, not believing my eyes because the person talking to me was the principal. Was this the principal of such a big school? Simple and approachable beyond imagination. All worries and tensions were dispelled when talking to her. Immediately after that, my application was approved. Fate always comes by chance!
First time feeling "legitimate" heard from "teacher" It was really fun beyond words. I went to class with my first weak and immature chalk strokes. Practice was far from the theory I had learned. But with the enthusiastic and thoughtful help of my sisters and teachers, especially the dedicated instruction and guidance of Ms. Hoai My, Ms. Kim Loan, Ms. Kim Khuyen and most of all, Ms. Le Nga - whom I always called the Principal with endless respect, my chalk strokes became stronger and more mature in my thinking.
Then I got married. The truth is, married life is not as rosy as I thought. One day, an incident happened, and my husband and I were also unstable. More than once I intended to give up. But then my sisters, teachers and the Principal advised me so I stopped. It was all because of my own immaturity, clumsiness and childish ego that led to that situation. Until now, I have always been secretly grateful for those words of sharing. Because if not, I would have lost my current happiness.
The road from my house to school is almost 22 kilometers, but I have never felt it was difficult. For a farmer like me, that distance is like a way to train myself, sharpen my will and repay a great heart that has, is and will protect me. I always promise myself to try to further improve my professional knowledge and educate generations of students with the kindness that I have received. For me, Duc Tri is truly the place where I can acquire both knowledge and tolerance, just like the name of the school. It is Duc Tri that has created the high notes in my quiet life. How can I express my gratitude at this moment?
I don't know if my life will have any other turns, but if I am still a teacher, I will definitely devote all the energy I have to my beloved Duc Tri. Definitely!
Teacher: Tran Thi Hai Yen