The “Rose” of Education Shares Her Journey of Nurturing Dreams of Teaching

From the days of blackboards and white chalk to today’s modern classrooms, the more than 30-year journey of Ms. Tran Thi Hong Ha – Principal of PennSchool, 10 Ba Thang Hai Campus – is a story of perseverance, passion for teaching, and a spirit of constant innovation. Along the way, she has not only taught knowledge, but also inspired in her students’ faith, confidence, and aspirations for life. RT Connection invites readers to meet and listen to Ms. Hong Ha’s reflections in the interview below. 

– Greetings, Ms. Hong Ha! As an accomplished educator with an impressive career, could you share your journey in pursuing education, as well as your experiences as a woman in this field?

First of all, I would like to send my warm greetings to the readers of RT Connection. I have spent more than 30 years devoted to education – a long journey filled with memories, where I have poured all my dedication and love into generations of students.

Throughout my career, I have always kept in mind the words of former Prime Minister Pham Van Dong: “Teaching is the noblest among noble professions, the most creative among creative professions, because it creates creative people.” Those words have helped me find meaning and value in my work. Therefore, even after retirement, I still wished to continue contributing to education at PennSchool – simply because I love children and want to continue dedicating myself while sharing my experience with younger teachers.

Over the years, I have witnessed many changes in education: from the days of painstakingly preparing lesson plans by hand, carefully writing on blackboards with chalk, and reusing old calendars or newspapers as teaching materials, to adapting to modern tools and technology in order to improve the quality of teaching.

The principle I always remind myself of is to live sincerely, teach with all my heart, continue learning, spread love to students, and always be ready to support my colleagues. It is this mindset that has helped me keep the “flame” of my passion for teaching alive, earning the affection of students, the respect of colleagues, the trust of Parents, and the confidence of school leaders.

Looking back on the journey, I feel grateful and happy to have lived with the profession I love, to have been surrounded by affection, and to continue contributing. And I will continue this journey – the journey of an educator who works with all her heart, igniting faith and planting dreams for future generations.

– In the context of modern education, what do you believe is the most effective way to inspire and unlock the potential of female students?

In today’s educational environment, where the open world and social media have a significant influence, inspiring and unlocking the potential of female students cannot stop at simply providing knowledge. More importantly, it must begin with understanding, respect, and encouragement. Potential exists within every individual; as long as students believe in themselves, aspire to achieve, and persevere, they will surely reach their dreams.

The first and most important step is helping them believe in their own worth. Teachers need to understand, recognize, and encourage even the smallest progress, so that students feel heard, understood, and trusted. Once the pressure is removed, they will gradually become more confident, willing to express themselves, and eager to discover their abilities.

Another important factor is guidance and role modeling. Teachers are role models and also a living source of inspiration for their students. By living sincerely, lovingly, and responsibly, I hope to instill in them the belief that women can absolutely be strong, confident, and capable of achieving whatever they desire. 

– Do you have any advice for dedicated teachers who are nurturing their dreams of becoming educators?

The teaching profession is not always recognized immediately, and at times it can involve pressure and sacrifice. However, if you truly love this profession, you will find meaning in the smallest things: a student’s look of understanding, an awkward but sincere “thank you,” or the quiet progress of a once-insecure child.

Therefore, the most important thing is to hold firmly to your love for teaching, stay committed to your choice, and never stop learning and improving yourself every day. When you teach with all your heart, the values you share will spread in their own special way. 

I would like to leave those who dream of becoming teachers with a quote by William Arthur Ward: “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”

Thank you, Ms. Hong Ha. Wishing you good health and continued success as you accompany PennSchool and RT Holdings on our journey ahead.