Celebrating Teachers' Day, honoring teachers, rewarding teachers and students

      September 10, 2018, with a refreshing autumn breeze and abundant fruits, it was the34th Teachers' Day,Ms. Xie Lingyun, Executive Director of Yidu Groupwas invited to attendJiangsu Xishan Senior High School's awards ceremony.A long red carpet was laid out on the large playground of Jiangsu Xishan Senior High School, a tall award podium was set up, and shiny trophies were ready. Teachers, students, and guests gathered on the playground to participate in the "Celebration of the 34th Teachers' Day and the 2018 Autumn Semester Awards Ceremony".

      The attending leaders and guests included social philanthropists and alumni who established scholarship and teaching funds for the teachers and students of Jiangsu Xishan Senior High School; the director and secretary-general of the Kuang Zhongmou Education Foundation; and some leaders from junior high schools.Ms. Xie Lingyun isthe founder of the "Lingyun Teaching Award" at Jiangsu Xishan Senior High School.

       The meeting announced the "Decision on Commendation of Advanced Individuals in Various Categories in the Second Semester of the 2017-2018 Academic Year of Jiangsu Xishan Senior High School." It commended 78 outstanding teachers with firm ideals and beliefs, high moral character, profound professional knowledge, kindness, and excellent teaching skills; and 17 excellent school-level collectives, 6 excellent student associations, and 1237 outstanding students in the second semester of the 2017-2018 academic year were also commended.

      Jack Ma once said: "Besides our parents, the most important people in our lives are probably our teachers."There are also teachers who, from the first ray of sunlight in the morning to the last light of evening self-study, spend every day with their students, accompanying them with true feelings. For five, ten, fifteen, or even twenty years, they have used their dedication to let every student feel the warmth and kindness of education.

The cheers and applause from the students below aretothe teachers' hard work, the greatest encouragement, andto theteachers' "love" education, the warmestreward.

Appendix: Xie Lingyun's handwritten notes:

Today is Teachers' Day, and it was the most fulfilling day. I went to Huishan District twice in the morning and attended the opening ceremony and awards ceremony of Jiangsu Xishan Senior High School in the afternoon, benefiting greatly! When I stood under the blue sky and white clouds and sang the national anthem with the students, I was deeply moved, and my eyes were hot! Every year, the most exciting moment is Principal Tang's nomination speech for the Principal's Award; there is always thunderous applause. This year, when awarding the prize to the choir, he encouraged the winners to perform on the spot. Five award-winning students confidently sang "Dandelion" in four-part harmony. What's most amazing is that the choir members sitting down automatically joined in the harmony, truly demonstrating their superb vocal art on the spot. It also made me, someone who always thought I needed to listen to music in a grand theater, truly feel the charm of music – being able to feel beauty and joy anytime, anywhere, for oneself and for others! When awarding the invention and creation award, the encouraging words to the boys were: "Always give the honor to women!" Respecting girls while emphasizing the cultivation of masculinity in boys, it is truly quality education! The lovely children sat behind me in the tiered seats, and I turned my head to see that besides the crystal trophy and certificate, there was a book. I took a closer look – it was Mr. Wang Guowei's "Human Words." I couldn't help but smile! True national cultural education is to teach, help, and guide all the time! The award ceremony was very long, but the principal said that about 60% of the students have various awards, in order to encourage every child to have self-confidence and pride! After the ceremony, I visited the student cafeteria and dormitories, listening to Principal Tang talk about the children's meals, beds, cabinets, and air conditioners... I really want to go back to childhood, to have such a beautiful campus, honest and kind and knowledgeable teachers, and such a knowledgeable and capable old principal!

Xie Lingyun

September 10, 2018