Happy New Year to teachers by text message, via social networks

Dear teacher, how has the Covid-19 epidemic changed the concept of visiting teachers on the third day of Tet?

Traditionally, on the occasion of Tet, students often visit their teachers - the predecessors who have guided and imparted knowledge, experience, and skills to help them grow up and become more confident in life. Students visit their teachers to wish them a happy new year, meet them in person, shake hands, and share stories and emotions, making the relationship between the two sides closer. Therefore, spiritual values ​​are very important, even more important than material values ​​- gifts that students bring to their teachers.

However, when the Covid-19 epidemic occurred, it was difficult to meet teachers and students. Therefore, students can wish their teachers a Happy New Year in many other ways such as: text messages, sending wishes via social networks, asking for gifts to be delivered by post or through other intermediaries. For many teachers, the gifts students bring are not important, just meeting students and students thinking about the holiday and Tet makes teachers very happy.

Mr. Pham Hong Long and his colleagues visited and wished a happy new year to former teachers of the Faculty of Tourism Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

For you, how long has the practice of visiting teachers to wish them a happy new year started?

I don’t remember when I started celebrating Tet with my teachers, but it was probably when I was in primary school. I was born into a family of teachers; my father and sister were teachers; my brother was also a teacher. Our parents always taught us to not only show kindness and gratitude to our teachers, but also to those who helped us in life.

My father used to be a teacher and principal of a secondary school (later upgraded to a college). He was a very virtuous person, always helping people sincerely. He retired in 2000, but every year, many cadres, former students, even city chairmen and department directors still come to his house to wish him a happy new year.

The father's virtue and sincere concern for his students influenced his children. And that also means that when he was a teacher, it was normal for students to come visit and wish him a happy new year; because sometimes students were afraid of their teachers, thinking that they were teaching them. But a teacher who has a heart, knows how to show affection, and is devoted to the cause of education, after retirement is the stage where he truly shows how he has lived in people's hearts.

I think my father's past actions have influenced me. Therefore, when I became a lecturer, I devoted myself to my work and always tried to help my colleagues and students as much as possible.

Building a two-way relationship helps to sustain teacher-student relationships

As the Head of the Department, directly teaching students and guiding graduate students, do you have many emotional memories of Tet?

It is true that I have many memories of students celebrating Tet with their teachers. Just yesterday afternoon, a student from Thach That district who is studying for a double degree called and said he wanted to come to my house to wish me a happy new year; I advised him not to come because the road was far and it was difficult to travel. However, he still rode his motorbike more than 40 km to my house to wish me a happy new year and brought me some sweets made by his family. I was really touched by his gratitude, even though I only taught 2 subjects and guided him to do an internship, occasionally encouraging him to finish his studies to graduate.

Head of Tourism Studies Pham Hong Long and alumni gave gifts to support students staying at the school during the Covid outbreak in April 2020.

I also have a graduate student who has been working in Ho Chi Minh City (from An Giang) for ten years now. Every Tet, he calls to wish them a happy new year and sends them dried foods (dried fish, dried squid) - which the locals only reserve for those who are truly dear to him. Honestly, there are times when I feel embarrassed with my students who always show affection and gratitude; while I, as a lecturer, cannot help them much.

Can you tell us why many students, long after graduating, still remember to wish us a Happy New Year and send us gifts?

- As I said above, I was born into a family of teachers, and received teachings from my parents, so my influence on my students is quite large. In class, I am an extremely strict teacher, always arriving on time, even early. In each lecture, I always "burn" myself out, passionately and inspire my students to love their profession, their major, and each subject.

When I am out of class, I am like an older brother or an uncle to graduate students; with undergraduate students, I am like an uncle, talking freely, intimately, and friendly. I always stay close to students in the Youth Union movement, volunteer activities, and even support funding for activities. With students in difficult circumstances, sometimes I support them financially in one way or another or mobilize financial support so that they can study with peace of mind.

Mr. Pham Hong Long participated in giving comments on the draft political report of the Hoa Binh Provincial Party University for the 2020 - 2025 term.<

Nowadays, with comprehensive education reform, students have become the center. When parents and students go to celebrate Tet, does it mean that they still respect teachers as in the past?

- When taking students as the center, it is a two-way interactive relationship. The saying "Without a teacher, you can't do anything" is the relationship between students and teachers. But without students, teachers can't do anything. Therefore, if we always think of Tet holidays in a one-way way (students come to Tet holidays with teachers, giving gifts), it is not sustainable. But it must come from a relationship: Teachers must bring certain values ​​to students; it can be knowledge, moral, spiritual values, such as inspiring students to be passionate about studying and working. Only then, a two-way relationship will help the teacher-student relationship to be more sustainable.

Thank you teacher!