Editor's note:

There are stories about teachers that are quiet but leave behind many simple and meaningful lessons. On the occasion of Vietnamese Teachers' Day, November 20, VietNamNet respectfully introduces to readers the forum "Simple stories about teachers" - to share profound memories and unforgettable experiences with the "ferrymen".

November 20 is approaching, in our souls, many memories of school days are flooding back and the most precious thing is probably the image of teachers, the noble ferrymen of the knowledge ferry.

Everyone has their own teacher, the teacher they remember and love the most. I also had such a teacher when I studied at Tay Thuy Anh High School (Thai Thuy, Thai Binh) - that was Mr. Tran Hai Trieu, a Physical Education teacher, a teacher loved and respected by many generations of students.

When it comes to Physical Education, most people think it is a minor subject and is of little interest to students and parents. However, my Physical Education teacher is different.

His lessons are always very serious. When we go out to practice, we have to follow the lesson plan. The teacher is always the one who demonstrates first, and the students will practice later.

Until now, we still remember clearly what our teacher said: "Heavy rain is light rain, light rain is no rain", "Work is work"... No matter how challenging the weather is, we are still passionate about training.

physical education teacher.jpg
Mr. Tran Hai Trieu, Physical Education teacher at Tay Thuy Anh High School (Thai Thuy, Thai Binh).

After completing the lesson plan, both teachers and students would gather to talk and share many things in life. I still remember the lesson on April 1, 2000. In the morning, the teacher seemed sad. After letting us warm up and practice like every day, he said: "Musician Trinh Cong Son has just passed away", then he sat down and sang us the familiar lyrics "which dust particle will become my body - so that one day it will grow into a big body". His voice was simple but I saw in it his passion for Trinh's music. We students also understood that deep inside the strong Physical Education teacher was a sensitive and loving soul.

Around the 2001-2002 school year, our school was rebuilt in a new location. Teachers and students were mobilized to contribute labor and effort to build the schoolyard, dig ponds, plant trees... Teachers and students were not afraid of hard work. After the work, everyone was covered in mud, but still happy, without any complaints...

At that time, Mr. Trieu was the secretary of the teachers' union and deputy secretary of the school's union, so he was very active in his work. Whenever he saw students tired, he would encourage them: "Heavy rain means light rain, light rain means no rain!" It was like a slogan for us to try harder.

My friends still talk about the days after school, when the teacher and students burned themselves out on the badminton and volleyball courts, when there was almost no distance, only passion. When he led students to compete in the province's Phu Dong Sports Festival, the teacher was outside directing and shouting with more energy than the students on the field. And after that, he was always there whether we won or lost.

I remember the camping trips to celebrate the founding anniversary of the Youth Union on March 26th. The teacher came to each class to guide the students on how to camp, hang the Youth Union flag, the national flag, and Uncle Ho's picture properly, very meticulously and enthusiastically. We still remember the nights of campfires, dancing, and singing until we were hoarse.

About 10 years after graduating, I met him again at a youth union meeting. He smiled and said: "I am the oldest youth union secretary in the province's high school sector, some of my students have become principals and vice principals." I saw in that statement a very young heart and soul, a teacher dedicated to his profession, a youth union officer dedicated to the movement.

Now, he is no longer involved in the Youth Union, but he still participates enthusiastically in all the Youth Union movements. He often shares that he only gets to stand on the podium during class activities, and that physical education teachers are “teachers who don’t write on the board.”

Many generations of students who grew up under the roof of Tay Thuy Anh High School always remember their teachers with the utmost respect. No matter where we are, we always turn to our high school when we have the chance. The person who welcomes us the most is still Mr. Trieu, with his small and agile figure, cheerful and sociable personality.

He remembers the faces and names of many of his students, even though it has been nearly 20 years. In stories recalling memories of their time together, he said: “Now I have gone from being a teacher to becoming a teacher”, when students of the 7X and 8X generations are now in their 40s and 50s, and some even have children who continue to study with him.

Our teacher, who was once a “happy single young man”, is now a grandfather. However, when we meet him, we feel like we are back to being mischievous, carefree 16 or 17 year old boys. Every time we return to school, we always believe that he will be waiting for us. After more than 20 years, he seems so dear and familiar!

An Phu (Literature teacher in Ho Chi Minh City)