In Hai Duong, there are many teachers who are good at dancing and singing, no less than you. They are kindergarten teachers who are like “kind mothers” who take care of every meal and sleep for the young bamboo shoots, multiplying beautiful images in life.
Teacher Nguyen Nhu Bo (born in 1988), Thach Loi Kindergarten, is the only male kindergarten teacher in Cam Giang district. In just the first 2 hours of the morning, he is busy with many tasks, from exercising, combing and tying hair to personal hygiene for the children.
We asked: "What motivates you to stick with this profession for so long?", Mr. Bo answered: "Because he loves his job and children". That's right, Mr. Bo's love for children is shown in every action, gesture, and meticulous way of taking care of children.
Mr. Bo dances well, sings well, and plays the guitar well, no less than the teachers. His deep voice, graceful and soft hands, and the melody of the song “My Two Hands” make the children excited and the class more lively.
After playing, Mr. Bo lets the children take a break and drink milk. At lunchtime, Mr. Bo helps the teachers move food to the classroom doors. The work is so familiar that he remembers each child's eating and diet preferences.
We arrived at the classroom of teacher Dao Dinh Phuong (born in 1983), Thuc Khang Kindergarten (Binh Giang) when he was moving food to prepare lunch for the children. The 41-year-old teacher's hands quickly divided the rice portions evenly for the children like a "kind mother" preparing meals for her children every day. Before eating, he introduced the dishes and encouraged the children to eat more healthily and with more appetite. Teacher Phuong kindly asked each child, and the teacher directly fed the children who ate slowly.
At exactly 11am, Mr. Phuong gave the order for the children to go to bed. In just a few minutes, dozens of small, pretty beds were made. Mr. Phuong guided the children to get blankets and pillows, creating good habits for them to take care of themselves. He carefully patted, lulled and covered the children with blankets. After Mr. Phuong sang the gentle song “Good Night Baby”, most of the children fell asleep.
“I know each child’s preferences and characteristics to provide appropriate care. Children who often go to the toilet will be placed in positions that are convenient for them to move around and do not affect other children. For children who are fussy, have trouble sleeping, or are not used to routine, I will soothe them or lull them to sleep, and let them sleep separately. I take care of them as if I were taking care of my own children and grandchildren,” said Mr. Phuong.
Teachers can be compared to “A lost sword in a flower forest”. This is a funny saying to describe them, the rare men in a female group. The job requires meticulousness, care, gentleness, and whispering that men can hardly have like female teachers. Therefore, only when interacting with them, seeing them doing their daily work for many years can one truly admire them.
I admire these kindergarten teachers even more for their strong will, perseverance, diligence and boundless love for children. Therefore, the rare men of great ambition who stand firm in the midst of that “forest of flowers” must be those who love their job and are brave.
Every teacher has a destiny to come to the profession of raising children. For Mr. Bo, after graduating from the Faculty of Music, Hai Duong Pedagogical College, there was a time when he could not find a suitable job. In 2013, Mr. Bo worked at Cam Dinh Kindergarten (Cam Giang) and completed his university degree in preschool education. In 2015, he transferred to teach at Thach Loi Kindergarten until now.
“Perhaps the most difficult time for me was the time when I first started my career because of the prejudices of my family and parents. My family also objected many times and advised me to transfer to primary or secondary school to teach. Not to mention the scrutiny of relatives, neighbors, friends, and even my wife's relatives. Many people wondered why a strong, broad-shouldered man would work as a potty cleaner for children when the husband should be the breadwinner of the family? But it was my love for children and my passion for the job, the favor and support of the school leaders and colleagues, and especially the understanding of my wife and children that helped me overcome everything to be able to play with children every day,” said Mr. Bo.
The fate of Mr. Phuong's career is also quite interesting. Mr. Phuong said that after graduating from Hung Yen University of Technical Education with a degree in Information Technology, he worked in many places. Once, he repaired computers for Thuc Khang Kindergarten and his love for preschool children began from there. He continued studying preschool education at Hai Phong University and started working as a teacher at Thuc Khang Kindergarten when he was 31 years old.
Mr. Phuong said that when he decided to choose the profession of preschool teacher, his family and friends were “shocked”, many people were surprised and gossiped. Mr. Phuong was also pressured by parents’ doubts, wondering if men could take care of their children as well as they did, or at least take care of them as well as teachers, because that is a woman’s instinct. Then many people said, how can men advance in the preschool environment…
“I have put aside doubts and prejudices and always kept in mind that it doesn’t matter if you are male or female, as a teacher, everyone is the same, the important thing is to love the profession, love children and work with all your heart. I have been in this profession for 10 years now, but every time I am asked, I am still very proud,” said Mr. Phuong.
Preschool teachers in Hai Duong often tell each other that male teachers who are teaching preschool classes are “rare”. That’s right, because there are only a handful of male preschool teachers in the whole province. Of which, Binh Giang district has about 5 teachers. Ninh Giang, Cam Giang and Thanh Mien districts each have 1 teacher.
After teaching at school, some preschool teachers continue to work part-time to increase their family income as well as nurture their passion.
After school, Mr. Bo travels by motorbike with his piano to Tan Truong commune to teach music to students and adults. In addition, he also works as an MC and organizes events.
As for Mr. Phuong, after school, he goes home to take care of his children and family. The trust of parents is also a great motivation for Mr. Phuong to continue to nurture his passion for teaching.
Teacher Vu Thi Huong Que, Principal of Thach Loi Kindergarten, said that although he is a man, Mr. Bo is very skillful in educating, nurturing, and caring for children and is not inferior to women. In particular, having a male teacher also has many advantages in sharing work with female teachers, especially information technology, which is a heavy job. In addition, Mr. Bo has a progressive spirit, always innovating and being creative in educational activities. He also actively participates in writing initiatives; making homemade tools and toys.
It is known that up to now, Mr. Bo has twice been awarded the title of excellent teacher at the district level, twice won the title of grassroots-level experience initiative and twice won the title of grassroots-level emulation fighter. Last school year, Mr. Bo was awarded a certificate of merit by the People's Committee of Cam Giang district.
Commenting on Mr. Phuong, Principal of Thuc Khang Kindergarten Dang Thi Hoi said: "Mr. Phuong has good teaching talent, even more patient than women. In the classes he teaches, the children are all well-behaved. Not only is he meticulous in taking care of children, he is also knowledgeable about technology, creative, and always thinks of new things to teach children. He also does the school's clerical work, and the records and books are very neat. Every year, Mr. Phuong completes his tasks well, has many school-level initiatives and experiences. In the 2023-2024 school year, Mr. Phuong was awarded a certificate of merit by the People's Committee of Binh Giang district".
Teaching at any level is noble. Preschool teachers tell themselves that they will constantly strive to practice and become role models to take good care of young bamboo shoots every day, multiplying beautiful images in life.
Content:THE ANH
Present:TUAN ANH