Son teaching Mandarin at CSHS with student in 2019 Son Dinh's remarkable teaching career is a testament to resilience, family determination, and the serendipity of the lucky number 8. Today, he is a beacon of inspiration, dedicating nearly three decades to empowering his students and opening doors to life-changing opportunities through language education.
Son's journey to becoming a teacher is extraordinary, though Son himself is deeply humble. Arriving in Australia as a teenager from Vietnam, he brought with him not just a love of learning but also a resilience forged through unimaginable challenges.
His teaching career epitomises the power of education to transform lives—not just his own, but the countless students who have benefited from his guidance.
A perilous journey to a new beginning
Son's story begins in Vietnam, where his father, an officer in the South Vietnamese army, was targeted by Viet Cong snipers. To protect him, Son was sent to live with his uncle in a small fishing village. It was there that his uncle, driven by desperation and hope, secretly built a boat to escape the country.
The journey that followed was nothing short of harrowing. With 96 refugees crammed onto a rickety boat powered by 2 small engines, they faced towering waves, near starvation, and encounters with pirates. Son recalls spending the first 2 nights praying, his faith keeping him grounded amidst the chaos.
By the fourth day, hope was dwindling as food ran out and the boat began taking on water. But then, as if by divine intervention, they spotted a distant light—a ship stationed near an oil rig. The crew provided food, water, and directions to the Malaysian mainland. Against all odds, Son and his fellow refugees made it to safety.
Reflecting on the journey, Son acknowledges the staggering odds they overcame.
'For every 10 boats that escaped Vietnam, 3 never saw land,' he said.
'Approximately 300,000 Vietnamese lost their lives at sea.'
Son's survival, he believes, was a mix of faith, luck, and perhaps even destiny. As the eighth-born child in his family, he notes that the number 8 is considered lucky in Asian culture—a small but meaningful detail in his incredible story.
A career built on connection and inspiration
Once in Australia, Son embraced the opportunities his new home offered.
After studying Mandarin at university, he decided to become a teacher, recognising the value of his multilingual skills. Over the past 29 years, he has taught a variety of subjects, including Mandarin, Vietnamese, Junior Maths, Humanities, and Health and Physical Education, at 4 state high schools.
Currently teaching Mandarin at Centenary State High School (CSHS), Son also coordinates distance education for students pursuing languages not offered at the school. His dedication extends beyond the classroom—he provides tutorials to help Vietnamese students prepare for their Year 12 exams, ensuring they have every chance to succeed.
Son's impact as a teacher is best illustrated through the achievements of his students. Former student James Arklay credits Son's encouragement and support for helping him secure a prestigious scholarship to study Mandarin in China.
'Mr Dinh is a remarkable teacher renowned for his positive attitude and sense of humour,' James said.
'The Year in China Scholarship was life-changing for me, and I would not have applied for it without his support.'
In 2024, 2 of Son’s students won the highly coveted Lotus Language Prize, a testament to the exceptional quality of language education at CSHS.
Susan Brook, Director of Department of Education International, praised Son’s efforts in advancing global engagement, calling the achievement 'exceptional'.
2024 Lotus Language Prize recipients studied Mandarin under Son at CSHS.
A humble hero in the classroom
Despite his many accomplishments, Son remains humble about his role in his students' success.
'I think I have a good connection with people and a good relationship with my students,' he said.
'Maybe I’m very approachable and I guess I'm easy to get along with and have a good story to tell.'
Indeed, Son's story is one of courage, resilience, and the transformative power of education. From surviving a perilous journey to becoming a beloved teacher, he has turned his own luck into opportunities for others. His students are fortunate to have him, but Son would argue that he’s the lucky one—grateful for the chance to live, teach, and inspire in the land of his dreams.
Son lives by a health and fitness creed and is often seen on long-distance cycling challenges including his participation in the Tour of Brisbane event since 2022.