VBS News Net: The eminent Educator Mr. Li Zhenxi said, 'Good education is the kind of education that students and teacher shed tears together after a few decades,' We have tears in our eyes because we love education so much. All VBS staff gathered at the school theatre to get touched and inspired by Mr. Li's touching stories in his teaching career. VBS Teacher Professional Development Academy was established at the same day. 

Mr. Li: To make people feel happy because of me

As an eminent educator, Mr. Li had his PhD in Education Philosophy at Suzhou University while being a senior Chinese Language teacher. Having decades of teaching career, he published 80 books on education with students all over the world. His speech explained the elements of good education with classics quotation, humor, passion and his experience.

Mr. Li pointed out that the primary objective of education was to nurture students as it would be the highest value in education which came before raising talents. Good education ought to have good campuses, principals and teachers who gave students good marks and life, memorable moments, care, respect, lifelong confidence. It was the kind of education that both students and teachers attachments and tears after a few decades. 

During his speech, Mr. Li mentioned Principal Zhan's stories - how he managed his school to relieve parents by turning their Internet addiction children into confident individuals. 

He spoke for his own experience on becoming a decent teacher - consistent practice, contemplation, reading and writing. He hoped teachers to find out the self that would  surprise you and encouraged teachers to read extensively to guide students into the broad world. 

He pointed out that teachers ought to have integrity and make people around you feel blessed as everyone student could have 100 possible paths to take on. Education should empower people with confidence instead of inferiority. His students eventually became a stewardness, pilot, football coach, rockstar, business leader or driver. What brought him comfort was that they were all kind, grateful and honest.

As he was about to embark on his 3-month business trip, his students followed his train to send him off. Before his retirement, students arrived at the venue from all over the world with their parents to listen to his final class. Despite being aged, they still paid attention to Mr. Li just like the old days. 

Mr. Li had become the teacher that made people feel happy and attached to students. The stories of his students made the audience admired. Mr. Li hoped VBS teachers to stay in education sector for their entire career to make themselves great and cherish their own students.

During the session, teachers proactively communicated with Mr. Li to express their thoughts. Ms. Deng Anni shed tears as she would pay more attention to students who required special assistance to make them feel optimistic towards future. 

Principal Yang：aiming to become a learning-oriented school

Principal Yang also had tears in her eyes a few times during Mr. Li's speech. She acknowledged Mr. Li for his speech which showed VBS staff the path they should follow - love education. Every teacher would be the important others for students, she hoped everyone to view education from a whole new perspective and respect the development patterns like Mr. Li to 'make people feel happy because of me'. VBS would continue to offer teachers a study platform via VBS Teacher Professional Development Academy to thrive like experts as it aimed to become a learning-oriented school.. 

The founding of VBS Teacher Professional Development Academy

Principal Yang and Mr. Li jointly inaugurated VBS Teacher Professional Development Academy. 

All members from VBS Teacher Professional Development Academy worked in 16 different classes to start research studies in the afternoon. They discussed on the ways to become the best teachers before making presentations. They motivated one another during the process. 

Ms. Luo Yulan said that teachers ought to have passion, consistent studies, optimism, confidence and she would be a caring, insightful, positive and optimistic teachers. 

Ms. Li Xiaoyan said she would care for students, parents, the school and herself to combine education and life when keeping the lifelong study mentality. 

Mr. Cao Chenkang said he would implement school philosophies to realise students' potentials.

Ms. He Shuting said she would enjoy the sense of happiness as a teacher when staying hungry and knowledgable.

Ms. Tang Hongyan said she would be a professional teacher with love in actions and minds.

Mr. Wang Xindong said he would focus on the growth of students and give his best to achieve good marks and wonderful life. 

Residential teachers expressed their love towards students and made them feel blessed.

Administration teachers would focus on details and contribute to the growth of students.

Assistant Principal Ms. Zheng hoped everyone to read widely and thrive as a class. Every member received the first reading - Mindset. 

This training has given VBS staff ideas on good education, specified direction in their careers, inspired them to dedicate in education and motivated them to study innovatively when building a strong foundation in both teachers' development and VBS as a learning-oriented school.

Author/Photographer: Linda

Translated by DC Lai