Mrs Do Tu Oanh and the 35-year journey with Hanoi – Amsterdam High School
Teacher’s Day is drawing nearer and nearer. On this annual special occasion, students all over the country get to express their appreciation and pay tribute to their mentors. This year, the event has become even more meaningful to teachers and students of Hanoi – Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, as this year’s November 20th is also the 35th anniversary of the school’s establishment. On this occasion, reporters from Ams Wide Web had the chance of talking and sharing stories with Mrs Do Tu Oanh – one of our Literature teachers and also a former Amser, who had stuck with Ams for 35 years.
Mrs Do Tu Oanh
Reporter: Can you introduce yourself so the readers have an idea of who you are?
You and me, as well as me and the school, are bound by fate. I’m an alumnus of Ams, year 85-87. After that, I went to Hanoi National University of Education, as I got second prize at the National Student contest and received a direct offer from the university. In my senior year, I became an intern at our school, then continued to study for a Master at HNUE. Finally, I returned to Ams and I have been teaching here from 1995.
Reporter: Seeing your long-standing attachment with the school, what impresses you the most about Ams?
Everybody, and even you, experienced excitement when enrolling in Ams. I’ll ask you a question back, what made you yearn for a place at Ams in the first place?
Reporter: For me, it’s the Amser spirit: unity, energy, creativity. These qualities have fueled my passion to become a part of this place.
For you, it’s the wanting, the desire to conquer new heights, to prove yourself. And Ams is the place where you can shine the brightest. But for me and preceding generations, Ams is also home. Here, warmth and familiarity is always present. Ams is my childhood, my youth, my adulthood, is the bond, the joy, the melancholy of generations of students, is a myriad of memories, is flesh and blood, is where I lived my teenage years.
Reporter: Can you recall one memory that you had at Ams?
Oh there are many. Our memories include the ones during our first days: when we went back to Ams on Nam Cao Street; in the eyes of other students in Hanoi, this was a special school, as its architecture wasn’t like any other. It wasn’t antique as Chu Van An or Viet Duc. Ams on Nam Cao Street at the time was very modern, complete with novel architecture, but I couldn’t imagine how laborious the first few days would be. Despite the hard work, fun was ever present. We moved every single table, every single chair into classrooms by ourselves. During the previous days, we had to sit cross-legged along the balcony and used our legs as support to write. Those were the destitute days, but remarkable as although we studied with dust, with neither black boards nor chalk, the teachers taught with all their passion and enthusiasm. This has carried through time as an Ams tradition. However different their personalities and approach to education are, they all share their love for their students. When it comes to the teachers at Ams, most people talk about the special love they reserve for students. I always tell my old and new colleagues: “When one teaches at Ams, they already possess the capabilities. But the most important thing is, if one can’t love their students like their own children, one must at least love them like their grandchildren”. I will bear their passionate hearts and endless talents of Amsers. A lot of the times, your lack of limitations surprise me. And if there’s one thing I will certainly bring with me on my journey, it’s my love for Ams and my pride of my students.
Mrs Do Tu Oanh with teachers of Hanoi – Amsterdam High School for the Gifted
Reporter: What brought you to Literature in the first place?
I focused on Maths in primary school, but during middle school I was familiarized with Literature ever since I joined Chu Van An Middle School’s Literature team, after which I got in Ams. I didn’t intend to become a teacher; I love literature, but I don’t enjoy romantic things, preferring logic and coherence. I have always subconsciously wanted to be a lawyer, but life pushes people along; they say “the job picks the person, the person doesn’t pick the job”. Eventually I realized that this is my calling.
Reporter: What is the most important thing to you on your journey to spread the literary spirit?
In modern reading, a lot of the times, there exists similarities between authors and readers. It’s the same for teaching literature! Students are fueled and inspirited by their teachers’ emotions, but these emotions must attune. For me, teaching literature is also a way to find kindred spirits among students. Additionally, one more thing I am passionate about when teaching literature is to never let students see just teachers, but also themselves in it. I always prioritize finding and nurturing students’ individuality and make the lessons fun for them.
Reporter: Since November 20th is coming, do you have any thoughts or wishes concerning this holiday?
This is a day to commemorate Vietnamese educators, to honor and appreciate them. I also want to reunite with my teachers, friends and hope to see the loving embrace of Ams widen. That will be the moment to sit back together and celebrate memories.
Reporter: Do you want to extend the wishes to your teachers, colleagues and future generations of educators?
My first toast is probably to their health; I wish them good health, an everlasting vibe coming only from Ams teachers. Manners are temporary, but class lasts forever. The shadow of previous generations truly loom over us. In addition, I want to advise young teachers of Ams to never forget their roots, never forget the past. We live in the present, certain in our steps onto the future, but the values of the past must always be respected and preserved.
Reporter: On behalf of the team, I want to say thank you and wish you a happy and memorable Teacher’s Day!
On this occasion, we wish the teachers everlasting happiness, health and success on your educating journey!
Reporter: To Ha Anh - Literature 2023
Translator: Dinh Thu Ngan – English 1922
