I sat at home, flipped through an old photo album, and saw a photo that reminded me of the experience of substitute teaching in a rural elementary school that year. It was a precious time and one of the most precious memories of my life.
It was 20 years ago, and I had just graduated from teacher training and was assigned to teach in a primary school in a remote mountain village. The school environment is poor, the school building is dilapidated, and the playground is full of potholes. But the innocent smiles of the children make this barren campus full of life.
I am a young teacher who is just starting out, with a passion and idealism for the cause of education. Despite the difficult conditions, I was determined to make a new world for these children.
"Although the environment is so poor, I must use my own efforts to let the children get the education they deserve. They are the hope of the motherland and the pillars of the future. As long as we are attentive and affectionate, we will definitely be able to open up their horizons. I made up my mind and said to the smiling faces in the photo.
My thoughts were interrupted by the voice of a middle-aged man at the school gate: "You are the new Teacher Zhang, right? Welcome to our school!"
The man was slightly chubby and had a kind smile on his face, and he was the principal of this elementary school. "Welcome to our school! Although the conditions are poor, we are always trying to improve. With a young and promising teacher like you joining, I believe that our education will have a new world. "
"Thank you Principal for believing in me. I said sincerely, "I will definitely do my best to bring high-quality education to children." Although the conditions are limited, as long as we are attentive and affectionate, we will definitely be able to hold up a new world for the children. "
The principal patted me on the shoulder with joy: "Very good! Very good! I like young people with this kind of drive." Rest assured, as long as you do your best, the school will give you strong support. "
The days after school start are busy and fulfilling. I am encouraged by the children's enthusiasm for learning despite the poor conditions of the school. I patiently and meticulously explained every knowledge point and put myself in their shoes to answer their questions.
After class, I also take the initiative to ask about the children's learning difficulties and provide one-on-one tutoring. For some children from disadvantaged families, I will also try my best to sponsor them so that they can study without worries.
The principal often came to the classroom during recess or after school and quietly observed my teaching. Sometimes he would take notes or talk to me after class. Gradually, I discovered that the principal not only attached great importance to teaching, but also seemed to have high expectations for me as a young teacher.
"Teacher Zhang, you used a novel teaching method in the last class, which made the children full of interest. "After a certain class, the principal took the initiative to find me and said straight to the point.
"Thank you Principal for the compliment. But that's just a small attempt, and I still have a lot to learn. I replied humbly.
"You don't always have to be so modest. The principal smiled and said, "I can see that you have enthusiasm and dedication to the cause of education, which is lacking in many teachers." It's rare that you have such a great teaching philosophy at such a young age. "
"Headmaster, you've won the prize. It's an honour to be here. I will continue to work hard to bring a better education to my children. "
In this way, more exchanges and discussions began between me and the principal, and we seemed to have a wonderful tacit understanding from the teaching philosophy to the way we behave. The principal's praise and encouragement have also made me more dedicated to this career.
Then I communicated with the principal, and our relationship also changed subtly unconsciously.
The semester is coming to an end, and the most important sports day in the school is coming. As a young teacher, I volunteered to practice for the sports day. The principal also expressed his sincere appreciation when he saw my enthusiasm.
"Teacher Zhang, your momentum is really not small! Then you will be in charge of the sports meeting, and the school will give full cooperation. The principal patted me on the shoulder.
In order to give the children an unforgettable sports day, the principal and I worked overtime to rehearse and prepare props. Sometimes, we would work until late at night. The principal was always considerate, bringing me a hot cup of tea or a coat when I was tired.
"Headmaster, you're so polite. "Once, I was so touched by his thoughtful demeanor that I was speechless.
"You are the young backbone of our school, of course I have to take good care of you. The headmaster smiled and said, "Rest for a while, there's still a lot of work to do." "
On the day of the sports meeting, the weather was not beautiful, and it was drizzling. After consulting with the principal, I decided to stick with it. The principal personally stood at the entrance of the gymnasium and held an umbrella for every parent present.
"Headmaster, you old man should rest, I'll hold the umbrella for you. "I stepped forward to take the umbrella from his hand.
"Anyway, my old bones can still hold up. The headmaster insisted on not leaving, "You are young, but you need to pay more attention." "
The sports day was as wonderful as ever, and we were very pleased with the children's energy and smiles. In the final chorus, the children touched everyone present with their innocent and pure singing. I looked at the relieved expression on the face of the principal in the audience, and a warm current welled up in my heart.
After the chorus, the principal took to the stage to say something thankful for the children. But he slipped because of the water on the stage. Without saying a word, I rushed forward and held the headmaster. At that moment, our eyes met, and the headmaster's face was filled with gratitude.
"Headmaster, are you alright?" I asked with concern.
"It's okay, it's okay, thanks to you. The principal squeezed my hand tightly, and his tone was full of gratitude, "Thank you so much, Mr. Zhang. "
I could feel that there was an indescribable friendship between us. It's not just a teacher-student relationship, there seems to be something more complex and subtle in it. My heart was pounding, and an impulse that had never been felt before.
"Teacher Zhang, do you have to go?" After hearing the news, the headmaster's face showed an unconcealed disappointment.
The principal's words burned my heart like a fire. I was in agony, and every word of him echoed in my head. Is it to stay, or is it a long way to go? This has bothered me for a long time.
I know what the principal is trying to do, but is it really just a teacher-student friendship between us? Or has something else come about unconsciously? In retrospect, the principal treated me differently.
He was always patient to answer my questions and encouraged me to continue exploring new ideas in education. Sometimes he would prepare a nutritious lunch for me or put his coat over me on a cold night. These little things make my heart surge with a warm current.
"Headmaster, you're so polite, I'm just doing my part. I was a little embarrassed to say.
"No, no, you are the pride of our school, and of course I want to take good care of you. The headmaster said gently, "If you make a mistake, we'll be stretched." "
We just looked at each other and smiled, and the atmosphere was warm and ambiguous. At that moment, I almost thought that the principal was not just a teacher, student or colleague with me.
After a lot of thought, I finally made up my mind. I'm going to stay and continue to teach in this rural primary school, instead of leaving everything here for my own selfishness. Let the friendship between us turn into spring breeze and rain, nourishing every heart that is thirsty for knowledge.
"Headmaster, I have decided to stay and continue to teach here. "
"Great!" The headmaster was so happy that he couldn't close his mouth, "I knew you were a responsible person. Rest assured, as long as you do your best, the school will definitely reward you. "
After I decided to stay, the principal was very caring and considerate of me. Whenever I stayed up late to prepare for class, he would personally make me a cup of fragrant hot tea and tell me to rest. Sometimes when the weather gets cooler, he even puts his coat on for me.
"Headmaster, you are too polite, I am an old person, where do I need such care. "Once, I was embarrassed to say.
"You are the pride of our school, of course I have to take good care of you. The headmaster kindly said, "If you make a mistake, you'll lose all your work." "
Whenever this happens, there is always a trace of indescribable things in the principal's eyes, which makes my heart throb. I told myself that it was just his concern and expectation for me as a young teacher, but deep down there was always a voice saying that maybe it wasn't that simple.
During the holidays, I often think of the principal. I think he was always so considerate and cherished me as the jewel of the school. Sometimes, I even dream of his kind smile, and I can't help but smile when I wake up.
I began to realize that my feelings for the principal were much more than just teachers, students, or colleagues. Every little thoughtfulness of his gesture would stir up ripples in my heart. And every time he complimented me, my heart was filled with joy that I had never seen before.
For some reason, after that, the relationship between me and the principal became more and more ambiguous. Sometimes our eyes meet inadvertently and then look away; Sometimes the principal would gently tap me on the shoulder twice on the back as a sign of encouragement; More often than not, he would sneak up behind me while I was preparing for class and quietly watch my work.
That kind of atmosphere made my mood tangled and contradictory like never before. I began to wonder if I had developed a different kind of affection for the principal, but reason was telling me that it was a doomed relationship.
Until one day, a small episode finally pushed the ambiguity between us further.
It was a rainy afternoon, and as soon as I came out of the classroom, I bumped into the principal standing alone in the hallway, staring at the rain outside. I went up to greet him and wanted to go back to the office with him to take shelter from the rain.
"Teacher Zhang, you see that this rain is non-stop, but it has damaged our playground. The principal said suddenly.
"It's okay principal, we'll take care of it when the rain stops. I smiled and comforted him.
At that moment, the principal suddenly turned around and looked at me with a complicated look in his eyes. At that moment, I seemed to see a different kind of affection in his eyes, indescribable tenderness and affection. My heart was pounding and my whole body was trembling uncontrollably.
The principal approached me slowly, reaching out and gently brushing away a lock of hair from my forehead. "Teacher Zhang, you are such a good teacher. He said in an almost whispered tone.
We just sat down with each other, and the atmosphere was so ambiguous that it was suffocating. The principal's hand rested gently on the back of my hand, warm and strong. My brain went blank and I could only feel my heartbeat thundering in my ears. At this moment, a rush of footsteps broke the silence.