The person who lights up dreams from simple things

In the sunny and windy Eastern Central Highlands, the story of teacher Le Thi Ngoc Linh - a daughter of the mountainous district of Kong Chro (Gia Lai province) - has touched the hearts of many people.

As one of 60 outstanding teachers honored at the program 'Sharing with teachers' in 2024, organized by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Union, the Ministry of Education and Training in coordination with Thien Long Group, Ms. Ngoc Linh has always been dedicated to her profession, becoming a symbol of enthusiasm and love for children.

The first seeds of dreams

Born and raised in the poor land of Kong Chro, where the majority of the population is Ba Na ethnic group, Le Thi Ngoc Linh was aware of the lack of education in her hometown from a young age. When following her mother to the market or passing through the villages, she saw many children dropping out of school, unable to read or write. That image was deeply engraved in her mind, making Ngoc Linh at that time nurture the dream of becoming a teacher to bring the light of knowledge to the children in the highlands.

Teacher Le Thi Ngoc Linh - a native of the mountainous district of Kong Chro (Gia Lai province). Photo: NVCC

After graduating from Ha Huy Tap High School, Ngoc Linh passed the entrance exam to study Primary Education at Quy Nhon University. Her university years were a time when she constantly studied and practiced to make her dream come true. For Ngoc Linh, each lecture and each practical class was a step forward to help her prepare a solid foundation for her educational career.

Journey to bring letters to the highlands

In 2017, after graduating from university and passing the civil service exam with excellent results, Ngoc Linh officially became a teacher in Dak Po Pho commune - a remote locality of Kong Chro district. With the enthusiasm of youth, she volunteered to work in a place where teaching and learning conditions were still difficult.

In her first days in class, Ngoc Linh encountered many obstacles. Most of her students were Ba Na ethnic children, not yet familiar with the common language, and many were even shy and hesitant when interacting with teachers. Realizing that the language barrier was the biggest challenge, she was determined to learn Ba Na to communicate and understand her students. Thanks to her perseverance, she not only taught the children to read and write but also helped them confidently integrate into the educational environment.

Teacher Le Thi Ngoc Linh and ethnic minority students.

The difficulties do not stop at language. Many of her students come from extremely difficult family circumstances, lacking both material and spiritual resources. To encourage them to go to school, she regularly visits each house to persuade parents and discuss the importance of studying. The young teacher's responsible actions gradually receive support from the community, helping to significantly increase the rate of children going to school at the right age in Dak Po Pho commune.

Simple joys

After nearly 8 years in the profession, Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Linh has witnessed the growth of many generations of students. For her, every step forward, no matter how small, is a great joy. Simple gifts such as bouquets of wild flowers, naive words of thanks from students or excited eyes when they pronounce words clearly are all valuable sources of motivation for her to continue her journey of "sowing letters".

In emotional moments, she once shared: "Just seeing the students come to class in large numbers, passionate about learning, all my difficulties disappear. That is why I always try my best to not only be a teacher but also a companion to the students."

Not only taking care of the students’ studies, Ms. Linh also cares about their spiritual lives. On every holiday, she and her colleagues organize cultural exchanges, bringing joy to children in the highlands. These activities help students love school more and stick with their studies.

In November 2024, Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Linh was honored in the program "Sharing with teachers", an initiative to honor teachers working in remote, border and island areas. This is not only a recognition of her contributions but also an encouragement for thousands of teachers who are working day and night to bring letters to children across the country.

Highland teacher Le Thi Ngoc Linh: The person who lights up dreams from simple things.

At the ceremony, Ms. Linh shared: “I am very touched and proud to be standing here today. But I know that the greatest reward in the teaching profession is the sparkling eyes of students when they understand the lesson, and the small successes they achieve later on.”

For her, the belief in the power of knowledge is always the driving force to overcome all challenges. The image of a young teacher standing on the podium, next to the eyes of children full of desire to learn, is a symbol of the spirit of dedication and perseverance of the silent teachers in the highlands.

Source: https://danviet.vn/co-giao-vung-cao-nguoi-thap-sang-uoc-mo-tu-nhung-dieu-gian-di-20241125062215433.htm