“My students’ improvement is the best reward”

Following Ms. Pham Thi My Dung, an official of Tuy Duc Education Department, we arrived at Ms. Nguyen Thi Sim s’ house in Nam Ha hamlet, Quang Tam commune, Tuy Duc district.
Expecting our visit, Sim rushed to the door to welcome us. I smiled at her but couldn’t help being astonished by seeing her house even though Ms. My Dung had already prepared me for the teachers’ situation, in particular, and the district, in general. Her tiny house stood in perfect contrast with the immense landscape which surrounded us. It reminded me of ragged-hut hamlets temporarily built along Hung Dien canal in Vinh Hung, Long An.
In a corner of the small house, a single bed serves for her whole family: the couple, their five year old son and a soon to be born new child. The bed is separated from the rest of space by a curtain to create a so called living room. During the interview we had to sit and talk on the bed. I discretely looked around the curtain but didn’t see any other facilities. Their daily activities should be very limited with this modest 14 m2 house.

Teacher Nguyen Thi Sim

… And her house

However, driving away my concern, she gladly told us about her teaching, her happy family life and her husband who is also a teacher. They decided to get married after her graduation from the Primary School teachers’ college, Dac Lak Education Pedagogy College. Both of their poor parental families lived far away so they have had to support themselves entirely on their modest salaries. They have had to rely on a loan from a bank to provide from their transportation, and to pay for half of their land and building costs. The situation has become worse since the birth of their son.

Despite these difficulties, they’ve continuously encouraged each other not only to remain in their profession but also to attain honorable achievements inspite of their hardships. Nguyen Thi Sim is not only a shinning star for La Van Cau Elementary school but also for the District education system. Every day, beside her teaching duty and professional commitments, she has tried to help improve students’ abilities by providing extra classes to the more disadvantaged. She has also enthusiastically taken part in cultural and sports activities organized by schools and communities.

The writer was talking with Mrs. Sim

Mrs. Sim prepared lesson plans for her classes.

Before coming to her house I had visited her place of work. Confronted by the perennial problem of poor resources Mrs. Sim’s achievements are remarkable. I had spoken with the Principal, Mr. Le Van Tuan, who told me that there had previously been many teachers who came here to teach but left forever and quite a few of them have abandon this profession for another way for living. Mrs. Sim’s attitude is very different. Tor her teachers provide knowledge and bringing hope of brighter future to those who need them. Satisfaction in the importance of this mission is reward enough.

“Whatever difficulties I’m facing, I’ll do my uttermost to overcome them. I am still young, healthy and eager to contribute more. My students’ improvement is the best award. They are so disadvantaged compared to the other. For my family, I only hope that my children will be healthy, have better opportunities and luck...”

I wished her family good health and happiness. We hope that the program “Supporting teachers in remote and mountainous areas’ from ITA Foundations and other social solidarities will help. Heer family’s difficulties will be soon be a thing of the past and I am sure she will be awarded many more teaching achievements.