Interviewer (I): First and foremost, on behalf of Ams Wide Web, I would like to express my gratitude for your participation in the interview. What are your thoughts prior to the celebration of this year’s unique Teacher’s Day?

Ms Ngoc: Every year, on 20th November, I receive a plethora of wishes and love from students. However, this year is perhaps the most unique, filled with my mixed feelings. They are the pity of not being able to ostentatiously enjoy “My day”, yet the joy from students’ one-and-only celebration. They brought me from one surprise to another, from videos, posters, to wishes…, all of which were carefully, creatively and lovely made. Hence, despite the separation of the computer screen, this year was indeed memorable. I could feel the invaluable and appreciable love from my dear students. 

I: Being a young teacher, you probably have better access to technology compared to other lecturers. However, do you encounter any difficulties during the process of online teaching?

Ms Ngoc: Of course. There still exist a multitude of challenges when it comes to online teaching, especially in terms of students’ interaction. Every day I have to come up with a way or another to spice up my lectures to intrigue pupils, thereby cultivating a proactive learning environment. Moreover, Chemistry involves a tremendous amount of face-to-face practice; thus, I also have to rack my brains for projects and models that are conductible at home. Internet connection is another setback. Those days of grinding our eyes at the screen from the morning till late afternoon, I must say, are much more onerous than direct studying.

Ms Dang Kim Ngoc - A beloved graceful young teacher

I: Have you ever been stressed to the extent that you thought of resigning?

Ms Ngoc: For sooth, yes, I would even say ‘often’. There is pressure from the school, from pupils and their parents, from the task of renovating and improving teaching quality,... At times, I thought that I would not be able to pursue such a career, but it is the students from our school that always revitalize and energize me. At the end of the day, every job has its own hardships and stresses right? Just like the saying “Pressure makes diamonds”, such tension propels me to make even greater efforts. Also, I believe in the quote “Occupation chooses us”, so given the chance to cull again, I would still stay here being an educator.

Ms Ngoc with her balletic smile, as always.

I: Have ever encountered any ironic situations during the time of online lecturing?

Ms Ngoc: Countless, I would say. To exemplify, roll call, sometimes taking up half the lesson, has now become a matter of life and death. At times when the Internet connection is poor, students go in and out of the room frequently, some of whom cannot even answer my questions due to lagging. Particularly, amidst these freezing days, several pupils would snatch the opportunity to oversleep the lecture, or even to languish during the lesson. Met with such circumstances, I could do nothing but sigh and giggle.

The multi-talented teacher, Ms Dang Kim Ngoc

I: Do you have any messages for the students?

Ms Ngoc: I hope that they will always keep up their proactive learning attitude and stay healthy with a proper diet so that we can soon return to school. Also, please don’t be so strenuous about academic matters, will you? If there is anything that you would like to share, I’m always here with all ears. To witness your academic progress would be my most precious present for Teacher’s day.

I: Thank you, Ms Ngoc. I wish you a jubilant Teacher’s Day with beauty, zest, and further achievements on your career path!

In amidst of the blissful atmosphere of the 20th of November, the publication department from Ams Wide Web would like to express our utmost appreciativeness to all the educators. They are the devotees who burn the midnight oil, the captains on the knowledge ship, and the leaders who guide generations of students to the threshold of the future!

Interviewer: Khong Minh Anh - Lit 2023

Photos: Facebook Ms Dang Kim Ngoc