What should a good mindset be like? Mindset is a matter of beliefs that come from our framework of thinking about ourselves or about the things around us, what kind and how. For example, some people think that to be smart, they must be born with a good brain, or to be successful, they must be a genius, be perfect, etc.
“Success does not always come from perfection.”
As is the case with our current important person, for him, limitations or obstacles are not an excuse for success. Kru Ice – Damkeng Mungthanya, a first-class honors education graduate from Chulalongkorn University and currently a teacher at Satri Sri Suriyothai School.
Physical limitations, but not mental limitations
Teacher Ice – Damkeng Mungthanya is a visually impaired teacher. However, this disability only limits physical vision. Why was Teacher Ice able to overcome these limitations? Let’s learn from Teacher Ice ‘s journey and life changes together.
Teacher Ice was a premature baby. He was in his mother’s womb for only 7 months. When he was born, the doctor had to send the baby to be cared for in an incubator. Unfortunately, his eyes were affected by certain conditions in the incubator, causing him to lose his ability to see since he was a baby.
Although Kru Ice has limitations in life, his family is a very important force that takes care of him so that he can live his life no different from a normal child and instills a good mindset in him, especially in laying the foundation for learning in life and academics by sending him to study in kindergarten at the La-or Uthit Demonstration School, Suan Dusit University, which is a school with a center for early assistance for blind children and families specifically. There, Kru Ice learned how to live with others in terms of general life skills such as eating by himself, buttoning his shirt, and basic Braille writing skills, which are a very good foundation to support his potential development later on.
“At home, they treat us like normal children. Wherever we want to go, they take us with them. So we feel like normal children and don’t feel alienated.”
With the love and warmth from his family, it was the starting point that allowed Teacher Ice, a boy who lost his sight, to experience the wide world from the people around him who were ready to give him love, making him dare to overcome his physical limitations permanently.
“Obstacles are challenges that require belief and determination to overcome.”
Kru Ice received his primary education at the Bangkok School for the Blind. He then received a scholarship to study with regular students in secondary school at St. Gabriel’s School. Studying with regular students allowed him to learn to adapt to the knowledge of the general education system. Of course, his physical differences, especially his vision, affected his learning methods. However, this was not an obstacle for a visually impaired student like him who was determined.
Teacher Ice told us that “I used to be able to submit my homework in Braille, but when I started studying with regular students, I had to submit it in the regular form. So my family had to help me more. My mom would read my homework to me and I would ask her to write it for me. Or for work that I had to do in class, I would ask my friends to help me write it. But if my friends were busy or I couldn’t do it in time, I would have to bring it home to do. Which required more time and methods than other people. For some subjects, I had already studied, but I only got the Braille textbook to read after studying for a week. So it taught me that I had to pay attention in class as much as possible.”
“I never felt like I didn’t want to study. But if you ask if it was tiring, it was tiring. Especially during the reading period because we can’t read textbooks like our friends, who can read them right away when they get the books. But we have to have more processes than others.” No matter how many obstacles there are in studying, that never made Kru Ice feel discouraged about his studies even once.
“Because a good mindset can overcome any obstacle.”
Because of the obstacles, Teacher Ice had to pay more attention in the classroom, which made him understand the lessons very well until he was able to pass on his knowledge to others. He discovered the ability to pass on his learning knowledge for the first time in high school by explaining lessons to his juniors. The result was that the juniors understood the content that Ice had simplified. And that was the main motivation that gave Teacher Ice his life goal, inspiring him to choose to study in the Faculty of Education, Department of Secondary Arts, Major in English at Chulalongkorn University.
“What I found is that we have to try to seize opportunities. Even though some people may not believe in us, the most important thing is not to blame them. What I did was to try to prove myself.”
In his university studies, Kru Ice had to face more difficult tests than before, both in terms of more intensive course content and overwhelming workload. However, he never gave up because he felt that “when we are born with fewer factors than others, we must try harder than others.”
Teacher Ice has a very high determination to study and work, so teachers and senior teachers saw his ability and determination, so they tried to push him and give him various opportunities, starting from when he went to be an English teacher. Although at first, Teacher Ice said that he was very nervous and worried because he had to teach students with good eyesight, whether it was about the content, teaching methods, or the students’ confidence. But all in all, he was patient and persevering, plus with a good mindset, he was finally able to overcome another barrier.
Growth Mindset creates opportunities and takes us to the path we dream of.
Growth Mindset is a growth mindset that drives people to develop their potential endlessly. It can be said that Kru Ice – Damkeng Mungthanya has this mindset in his heart. Therefore, with his determination to study since high school, Ice was finally able to follow his dream by taking the exam to become a civil servant teacher with full pride. Although today he is a person who provides academic knowledge, his ideas and determination in working also allow students to see and indirectly inspire him.
Teacher Ice told us, “I believe one thing, that as a teacher, even if no one sees what I intend to do, I believe that the students will see it. There was once a child who told me that whenever she walked past the teacher’s lounge, she saw the teacher working all the time. So I believe that if we try to do it and people see it, that’s enough to make me very proud.”
Teacher Ice admitted that the reason he was able to pass the teacher’s exam was not due to his own abilities alone. In addition to seizing the opportunities that came his way, he also had to thank those who had always given him opportunities. Even on the day he became a teacher, Teacher Ice still received opportunities. And as usual, he still accepted and seized every opportunity that came his way in life.
“My happiness today is to see the students I teach succeed in the way they choose.”
Today, Kru Ice is more well-known through various media outlets that present his life story. His story can be an inspiration to many people. Even though he is more well-known, Kru Ice is still the same Kru Ice who still stands on the belief and faith that gradually progresses little by little and is happiest from watching the success, happiness, and bond of his students.
Conclusion
“When we are born with fewer factors than others, we must try harder than others. If we do not limit our abilities, I think we can do anything.”
The story of Kru Ice is a good proof that even though our lives are full of obstacles, having a good mindset or a good framework for living life can push everyone to overcome those obstacles and create learning until achieving success in life.
And how great would it be if we could pass on a good mindset to the next generation so that they can change themselves for the better and pass on the same to the next generation, creating sustainable changes to the world in the long run, just like what Kru Ice is doing today.
A good example from positive thinking from Kru Ice – Damkeng Mungthanya shows that learning has no limitations whatsoever. And the limitations we have are not a reason that will prevent us from being successful.
The story references an interview with Kru Ice – Damkeng Mungthanya.
From the Transformative Learning Project
Supported by the Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth)
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Phi Aoi – Naphaphon Traiwittayawarakul or “DJ Phi Aoi” hardships and obstacles are also good teachers because when we can overcome them, we will be able to continue growing.
Phi Nick – Wichian RitpaisanPositive thinking is the key to every mission in life, and every problem is an opportunity.
