Born a normal child, at the age of 10 he was diagnosed with meningitis. After a long coma, he woke up with hemiplegia and could not speak. After treatment, he was able to speak and walk again, but with complications such as difficulty in movement and a curved spine.
That is what Ms. Dinh Lan Phuong - teacher at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Special School has experienced.
Teacher Phuong was awarded the Vo Truong Toan Award by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training in 2024.
Ms. Phuong said that she came to the teaching profession unexpectedly when she accidentally learned about the Faculty of Special Education at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education. She chose to take the exam with the thought that she would be able to do this job.
Up to now, Ms. Phuong has 16 years of teaching experience at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Special School (District 10).
"After graduating, I was retained to work at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education. However, during my internship at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Special School, I felt that teaching and working with the children here was something very sacred and proud, giving me a sense of dedication," Ms. Phuong shared.
At Nguyen Dinh Chieu Special School, every year Ms. Phuong is assigned to take charge of different classes, mostly students with multiple disabilities.
In the beginning of her work, she cried many times because she felt helpless, not knowing what to do with children who were both blind and completely deaf.
"Through reading books, newspapers, and the Internet, I saw many cases of people who were both blind and deaf but very talented, and I thought, my students can also learn, but it's my fault that I can't teach them.
I started by proactively learning and exploring methods through the Internet. Luckily, I received professional support and attention from the school's board of directors and colleagues. Thanks to that, I gradually adapted and did my job better," said Ms. Phuong.
Sharing more about the teaching process, Ms. Phuong said that each student is a journey of their own challenges, and even the smallest progress of the students is a great joy for teachers and families.
"I don't wish to turn my students into geniuses or doctors or nurses... I just hope my students are not a burden to their families and can take care of themselves," Ms. Phuong confided.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Hue - Principal of Nguyen Dinh Chieu Special School, said that Ms. Dinh Lan Phuong is a teacher with very good expertise and is dynamic and creative in teaching.
Ms. Phuong has a teaching method that brings high efficiency in her work, promoting the abilities of each student, especially in Vietnamese.
"Ms. Phuong is also a shining example of a spirit of striving, a heart of love for students, and dedication to her profession. In her own situation, she has empathy for her students, helping them confidently integrate into life," Ms. Hue shared.
