A while ago, the topic of "Should I call the volunteer teacher ten years ago?" This topic has rushed to the hot search, and one afternoon in March, the planning team of the Ministry of Light's "Dialogue and Experimental People" threw this topic to Teacher Li Li in turn, "Will you still contact the children in Donglan?"
In the past 18 months, she has already formed a deep friendship with the students of Donglan High School in Hechi, Guangxi, but she also knows that since her term is over, not disturbing may be the best blessing for the children.
The next day, Friday, at the faculty conference, Ms. Li and her apprentice Hua Kang sat in the spotlight and shared her teaching story in Guangxi with all the teachers of the Guangming Ministry.
01
Donglan is a beautiful place
Mr. Li Huakang:
Hello Master, Hello Teachers, I am honored to have this dialogue with my Master today as the representative of Master Li's apprentices. Master, why did you choose to volunteer at that time?
Ms. Li Li:
I've wanted to volunteer for a long time, and I wanted to wait until I retired. I've prepared a few places, I don't need money, just give me a place to live. I think so, I think that as a teacher, my greatest ability is to teach, and I hope to use my knowledge to help more people, so that children in mountainous areas can also enjoy high-quality education.
Mr. Li Huakang:
Master, Donglan, where are you and what is your life like there?
Ms. Li Li:
It is in the northwest of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is a karst landform, each time you need to take 2-4 hours of bus, to Baise or Nanning to take the high-speed rail, but the scenery along the way is very beautiful.
The gate of Donglan High School
This is Donglan High School, which was founded in 1937 and is a nearly 100-year-old school. At that time, it was the only high school in the whole of Donglan, and the school environment was very magnificent.
Teacher Li with the students
The students of Donglan High School are far from home, but they study very hard, the sun is shining, and they are simple and sincere. Every afternoon, no matter how hot the sun is, you can see them energetic as they run and exercise, and they are growing up healthy. I really like these students.
Together with the teachers of Donglan, I went to the countryside to recruit students
The teachers at Donglan High School are very dedicated and hardworking. They not only have to teach, but also recruit students, retain high-quality students for Donglan, and contribute to the long-term development of the school. At present, the development of Langao is booming.
Teacher Li attends an observation class
Our volunteer teachers convey educational concepts and teaching methods through open classes, observation classes, and push classes.
Open Classes
Donglan High School has the "Blue Project", and the young teachers are very motivated, and they come to listen to the class with a stool at any time, and I also have to listen to the apprentice's class. At Langao, it is the norm for teachers to attend classes. I was the leader of the preparation team for the second year of high school, and we discussed the texts and commented on the open class together.
Working with such a dedicated group of teachers is a source of fulfillment and joy for me and I have learned a lot from them.
Group lesson preparation
I also gave a number of lectures. When I was studying "One Hundred Years of Solitude", because the book was difficult to understand and young teachers had many questions, I gave a special lecture on "Reading Classics and Perspective on Life - Theme Analysis and Classroom Extension of "One Hundred Years of Solitude" to all teachers of the Chinese subject. He also gave a lecture on learning method guidance to the top students of the second year of high school, and gave a lecture on "Composition and Answering Skills for the College Entrance Examination" for the third year of high school.
Teach the top high school students how to study
02
In the process of teaching, I gained a lot of happiness
Mr. Li Huakang:
From what you just said, we feel the hard work of the students of Donglan High School and the dedication of the teachers. Not only do you take on various types of courses in the school, but you also have to undertake many lectures, so is it very hard to teach?
Ms. Li Li:
Volunteer teaching is my own initiative to ask for it, I am here to work, to dedicate. As a volunteer teacher, the amount of tasks you want to do is actually determined by yourself. I originally went to help others, so I had to be sincere and brave to take responsibility, which is to uphold this heart, which is also my original intention to teach.
Mr. Li Huakang:
"I'm here to help people. "It's a very simple word, but I think it's very powerful. Master, since the volunteer teaching is so hard, it must be different from what you expected, do you regret participating in this volunteer teaching activity?
Ms. Li Li:
No regrets at all. I am very grateful to the experimental school for giving me this opportunity, and I have always had a dream of teaching. When the director asked me that day, I said, "Do you still want to teach in Kashgar?"
Let me choose again, I will still go, because I feel that this is a very meritorious thing, a very valuable thing. You can really help others. There are 68 students in my class, and when I help these students, I help 68 families. That's my social value. Although there is a lot of volunteer work, it will not exhaust you to death. When you look back at it at the end of the day, the experience was very worthwhile and very meaningful.
Mr. Li Huakang:
Do you have some times when you have fun in your busy work?
Ms. Li Li:
It is not called "happiness in suffering", but actually "mutual achievement".
For example, when I participated in the activities of the Chinese subject group, I could see the local customs, and the teachers at Langao were also very young and energetic. You'll find a lot of fun in the lives of the locals.
Subject group activities
Let's make Zhuangxiang special food "tofu balls" together, as well as Zhuangxiang's unique "colorful glutinous rice", the five colors are all dyed with pure natural plants, and they are also eaten with steamed pork, which is particularly fragrant and delicious. If I didn't teach, I wouldn't have been able to eat these delicacies.
Join the Sozoku Tribal March 3
I also learned to play the brass drums. The copper drum is a world cultural heritage, and the copper drum of Donglan is very famous. On the third day of March of the Zhuang nationality, the scene is very grand, people are wearing the national costumes of the Zhuang nationality, playing copper drums, and foreigners come to participate in the activities, and the customs and customs are extremely strong. Although I have classes every day, after the class, I run to participate in activities as if I was in a hurry. It's a lot of fun to be a part of it.
Serve as torchbearers on behalf of the volunteer teachers
At the sports meeting of Donglan High School, I represented the Shenzhen volunteer teachers as the torch relay bearer, which was extremely honorable. Forty years ago, when I was in my second year of junior high school, I served as a torchbearer as an outstanding student in the summer camp. At that time, the flame of the torch was burned with gasoline, but the gasoline fell on my hand, but I did not throw it away, and I still have burn scars on my hands. Now it's such a high-grade torch. When I held the torch, I was really emotional, as if I had returned to my youth, grateful for life.
The teacher sports program is particularly interesting and down-to-earth. The teachers stood in the urea fertilizer bag, frog jumped, saw who jumped fast, PK between subject groups, laughter everywhere, and participated in it endlessly.
And my students, who I love a lot. They work so hard, so sunny, so simple, and listen to the teacher very much. There is so much pressure on homework every day, they don't complain, what the teacher says is what they say, teaching them, I feel so comfortable.
I would buy them snacks from time to time, and everyone in the class would have a share. Of course, I have to be quiet, not to be seen by others, otherwise people will think that I am "winning people's hearts". Actually, I really like them.
Teacher Li plays the ancient Xun song "Su Wu Shepherd"
We learned a text about the pot helmet in Shaanxi, the children have never seen this kind of thing, and it feels very abstract. There are very few noodles in the local area, so I ordered two big pot helmets from the Internet, learned first, then cut them, and the whole class shared them. After learning "The Legend of Su Wu", I played the ancient Xun song "Su Wu Shepherd" to them, so that they could know the ancient music and ancient instruments.
Donate books to students
The parents of my former students in the experimental school saw that I was teaching in Guangxi and had to donate. She bought more than 5,000 yuan of books in Shenzhen Book City, and sent the essence of high-quality magazines such as "Reader" and "Yilin", and said not to make a noise, this is a parent with great love. I said to the children, there are many people who love you, you must study hard, give back to the society, and serve the country.
I hang out with the students all day and I can't pamper them enough. They gave me a lot of gifts on Teacher's Day, and I couldn't put a single table on it. I was out there and frightened me so much that I had to sneak into the office at 12 o'clock in the middle of the night and bring all the gifts back. Keep a low profile. I'm here to teach, not to seek fame and fortune. Students will spend a lot of money to prepare gifts, and a bouquet of flowers can cost 20 yuan. I didn't allow them to do that, but I really couldn't stop it.
By the way, about our stay. The Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee requires the volunteer teachers to live in a centralized manner, and we three female teachers live in a suite, one person has a separate room, and shares the kitchen and living room.
When it comes to eating, people say "fight all over the world", and I am "eat countless noodles in Guangxi." "Donglan noodles, old friends noodles, Guilin noodles, snail noodles, sour powder, beef brisket powder, mutton powder...... All kinds of noodles are eaten every day. I slowly get used to the things in life. Eat by yourself, and the three of them will stagger the time.
with students
The students are really simple, and when the persimmons are ripe, they will say, "The teacher will come to my house and 'steal' it, and I will give you the door." ”
During the Qingming Festival holiday, my students were very generous and said directly, "Teacher, I'll take you to sweep the tomb." "For them, the deceased loved ones are not far away. So when I talk about South American magical realist literature, when it comes to shuttling back and forth between the living and the dead, the students in Shenzhen don't understand it, but the students in Donglan do. Because their living environment is like this, next to their home are their ancestors.
When I was leaving, the students gave me a gift, and they reproduced all the more than 60 students into this painting according to the class photo, and the autographed message on the back of each person and one page was framed in a large photo frame, and I was very touched by the great care and affection. This precious gift is hanging in my house right now.
Students hand-draw and leave messages
Mr. Li Huakang:
The student's handwriting is quite beautiful.
Ms. Li Li:
Yes, their calligraphy is good. All my personal belongings have been sent, and I don't know how to fit such a large picture frame for a while. But I only had one thought at the time, and I must bring this heavy heart back.
A precious gift from Donglan High School - copper drums
This bronze drum was given to me by Donglan High School. I once saw a small copper drum at the Bronze Drum Memorial Museum and liked it very much. Plan to buy a small one for yourself and take home as a souvenir. Unexpectedly, Lan Gao gave me a big copper drum and gave me a big surprise. I couldn't move at all, and finally a principal helped me move upstairs.
Donglan's ink rice is very famous and delicious, but the production is small. Lan Gao's teacher gave me a marijuana bag with 30 pounds of this year's new Momi. I was so moved that I didn't know what to say. The people of Donglan are really simple and hospitable.
That picture frame is now hanging on the wall of my house, and the copper drum is placed in the living room, and I eat ink rice every day. I think it's worth it, my volunteer teaching is complete!
03
Come with a piece of sincerity and walk with a good heart
Mr. Li Huakang:
We are all very touched by the friendship between Ms. Li Li and the local children in Donglan, as well as between teachers and students. In fact, many of our teachers are like you, they will have a dream of volunteering in their hearts, if we want to choose to volunteer, can you give us some advice?
Ms. Li Li:
Great, it's a feeling. No matter what your purpose is, you really have to have great love, affection, and responsibility. All volunteer teaching is bittersweet, and you have to learn to take responsibility and enjoy it. This is the first one.
Second, you have to learn to endure loneliness and loneliness. You need to self-regulate your body and mind and try to integrate into local life.
Third, eat well. Everywhere will be unsuitable for water and soil, and eating is not suitable, but you must eat well, don't get sick, and take good care of your body.
Teacher Li Huakang: Master, on behalf of Shenzhen Experimental School, you have won many honors in the local area during the year and a half of teaching in the local area. You have been awarded many honorary titles, such as the "Advanced Individual" of Guangdong-Guizhou Cooperation in Donglan County in 2022 and 2023, the "Excellent Volunteer Teacher" of Donglan County, the "Outstanding Student" of the "Group" Talent Training Course in Guangdong Province, the "Excellent Teacher of Teaching Quality" of Donglan County High School, the "Excellent Instructor" of Student Research Learning, and the "Excellent Mentor of Qinglan Project" for training young teachers.
Donglan County Honorary Citizen Certificate
In addition, when you are about to end your one-and-a-half-year term of volunteer teaching, the People's Government of Donglan County awarded you the title of "Honorary Citizen of Donglan County". These honors reflect Donglan's recognition of your hard work.
I heard that at the commendation meeting of the Donglan County Government, you spoke as a representative of the volunteer teachers and won high praise, and we also want to hear this speech, can you think it is okay?
Ms. Li Li:
Okay, I'll read it to you.
Broaden horizons, enlighten thoughts, and lead feelings
-- Speech at the wrap-up meeting
Donglan County Senior High School Li Li
The scene of the summary meeting
I am Li Li, a volunteer teacher from Shenzhen Experimental School, and I teach at Donglan Senior High School. The good times always pass so quickly that a year and a half of volunteer teaching is coming to an end.
Yesterday morning, Minister Qin of the Organization Department sent a message saying, "I didn't care about it in the past, but suddenly the time has passed, I feel very sorry for you!" I told Minister Qin that I had a great time in Donglan.
The love of students, the love of Chinese classes, the improvement of grades, the care and affirmation of leaders, and the friendship and warmth of colleagues all make me deeply satisfied. I am extremely honored that the Donglan government has awarded us the "Honorary Citizen of Donglan County".
I believe that teaching is not only about imparting knowledge, but also about broadening horizons, enlightening thoughts, leading feelings, and conveying the love of life.
In class, I combine the beauty of literature with the training of enlightening thinking, highlighting the "interesting language" and "effective classroom". Lead students to feel the charm of literature, "expand reading", and show students "Rural China", "The Biography of Su Dongpo", "Zhuangzi", "Chinese Architectural Art", "Dream of Red Mansions", "One Hundred Years of Solitude", "The Old Man and the Sea", "The Troubles of Young Werther", "Faust" and "Leaves of Grass". Get to know Socrates, Plato, Rousseau, Goethe, Whitman, enjoy the ancient song "Spring River Flower Moonlight Night", and play the ancient song "Su Wu Shepherd" for students......
In the past year and a half, the students' reading ability, reading ability, language expression ability, and Chinese performance have been greatly improved. I believe that every flower has a moment to bloom, and for students, always encourage and always believe.
I have held many open classes and large-scale lectures in the school: for all Chinese teachers, sophomores, juniors, etc. I gave a lecture to the third year of high school last Sunday night, and when I saw the eager eyes and expectant eyes of the students, I wanted to do more for them, as long as I could help the students, it would be worth the effort.
Our four volunteer teachers in Shenzhen bought nine computers and nine printers with the office funds allocated to individuals by Guangdong Province, and donated them to nine subject offices of the school, making a modest contribution to the school.
In my spare time, I will use my camera to record the beautiful scenery of Donglan and share it with my students—it turns out that my hometown is so beautiful. I guide students to work hard to learn skills, never forget the source, build Donglan and Guangxi, create their own life value, and repay the society.
I crossed Donglan students, and the people of Donglan crossed me with beautiful landscapes. We come with sincerity and go with a good heart. In the past few days, I have received many parting messages from students, and the most written sentence is "Thank you, teacher, you have illuminated us", and I think this is the biggest meaning of my teaching: to illuminate the students' journey.
There are roads in Qingshan, and there are thousands of people who educate people. Thank you again to the people of Donglan, the government of Donglan, and the beauty, food and beauty of Donglan. I will always be in my heart.
Thank you!
Mr. Li's apprentices took a group photo with some of the administrative team of the Ministry of Light