Being a young, friendly teacher, Ms. Do Thu Quyen has been well-loved by her students ever since the beginning of the school year. She has turned History from a supposedly boring subject into an interesting and exciting one through her vivid stories. Let’s have a conversation with Ms. Quyen and get to know her better!

Interviewer: Dear Ms. Quyen, what was your impression when you first started your career as a teacher?

I started teaching at Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted in 2011, right after my graduation. Back then, our school had moved to its new location. My first impression was that Ams was really fascinating. I even felt quite overwhelmed by how big this school was. However as I am working here everything has become more and more acquainted. Never have I stepped into any school as ‘glamorous, vibrant’ as Ams. Each person has a distinctive personality, but together we have created the “Ams quality” - openness, creativity and vitality.

Ms. Do Thu Quyen with other teachers on the Orientation Day 2015-2016

Interviewer: What do you think of our students?

Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted has long been acknowledged to have the ‘coolest’ students in Hanoi. Our students are known not only for having the best academic results, the highest rankings in international competitions or being the top-ranked students in many prestigious universities in the world; but also for being extremely talented in art fields.

There’s one thing I am very much impressed by students of Ams is their solidarity together with outstanding organizing and management skills.  It’s shown clearly through various extra-curriculum programs such as “NHAT”, “Made in 12”, “Ams’ Got Talent”… In those events, I have seen our students coming together to create, from conceptualizing to rehearsing for every items, from setting up camps to flying the balloons as a symbol of their dreams to fly high. The older generations pass down their passion and experience to the next, they guide, help and support each other through thick and thin. All of this has built and strengthened Ams’ traditions, and made Ams a second home for all of them.

Ms. Do Thu Quyen at Hanoi-Amsterdam

Interviewer: What is your most special memory of our school and students?

I have taught many batches of all majors, each major has a unique trait to be remembered. Those secondary students are very naïve and hence very adorable. The high-schoolers are more mature but also very loving. The English-majored students are energetic, the Literature-majored are thoughtful, Geo classes are friendly, History ones are hardworking, Physics classes are playful while Math ones are super smart, Comp Science students are creative and Chemistry ones are pleasant

Another unforgettable memory is my experience with the 9^th-grade History major team batch 2014-2015. Our classes were always cheerful and excited, they were very creative in studying and often “invented” their own special ways to memorize the lessons.

The whole major team only had 9 members hence they were very close. They shared with each other everything, our quizzes were as fun as doing arts with their mouth and hands moved simultaneously… But still, they achieved very high rankings in the competition. Our major team was like a small family where we loved each other very much. I still remember our previous class, who drew on the black board   a picture of the major team to show their gratefulness towards their teachers. I had the honor of being the little sun at the corner of that drawing, but according to them, it was the sun that had guided them throughout the whole journey.

A year teaching the major team was also a hard year for me, with so many emotional ups and downs: happy, sad, anxious, angry, but ultimately, proud, since they all achieved such a good result for our school.

The 9^th-grade History Team batch 2014-2015

Interviewer: The Vietnamese Women’s Day is coming, do you happen to have any female idol?

After reading your question, besides my mother, I immediately think of another lady that I hold dear to my heart – my university teacher Ms. Nguyen Thi The Binh. Ms. Binh guided and taught me during my scientific research journey. When I was doing my graduation thesis and Master’s Degree thesis, she was there to support me. Above all, Ms. Binh taught me how to be a good teacher. “You have to give your all to your students and to the job” – she always said. Whenever problems or fatigue arise in my job or even my life, Ms. Binh is always there to listen and guide me through the hardship. Her bright image and the love and respect she’s got from her students are my motivation to push myself forward.

Interviewer: Do you have anything else to share with the students of Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted

Ams is our second home, Ams is where our dreams start. Hence you should free yourself to explore, create and build the foundation for your dreams to thrive. Make your school’s life meaningful and joyful.

Furthermore, you shall appreciate your family, teachers, friends and cherish everything that you have.

Interviewer: Hoang Ngoc Bich – Literature 1518

Photo source: Do Quyen’ Facebook account