I have been teaching in the United States for more than 35 years and in Vietnam for 20 years.  Today I am teaching American students at National Economics University about Markets and Marketing in Hanoi.  I remain close to some of my former students students and proud of the achievements of many more.  Some were good students when I taught them and others developed their abilities later.  I hope I helped all of them succeed.  In Vietnam as in much of the world, students honor and respect their teachers and give them special recognition on a Teachers Day.  We, the teachers, should honor our students as well.

As we reflect on teaching we should remember the strong link between teaching and learning.  I am sure I learn as much from my students as my students learn from me. It is always exciting to start a new course and watch the students learn. But it is just as exciting to learn from what the students find and to gain new insights into society and the changes in our environment.  I always find I am able to improve my teaching and increase my knowledge from working with my students.  As we celebrate Teachers Day in Vietnam we should remember to celebrate the learning environment and all the people who help us learn.  I am happy to be a teacher and a life long learner.  I hope my students will continue to learn because I have taught them how to do so.

Vietnam should be proud of its teachers and proud of the fact that you recognize them and celebrate learning.  I am glad to have the opportunity to be part of that celebration and your country will be stronger in the future becase of what your teachers do today.

Jim McCullough, PhD
Distinguished Professor of International Marketing School of Business and Leadership
University of Puget Sound Tacoma, Washington (USA)"