PREFACE
The dream of becoming an educator first took shape during my undergraduate years, but it wasn't until I found the School of Education at Shanghai Jiao Tong University that I discovered a real path forward. Like a guiding star, the School welcomed students like me—those without a formal teaching background but with a deep passion for education. In October 2023, I was fortunate enough to join the inaugural cohort of the "National Outstanding Teacher Cultivation Program" as a Master of Subject Teaching student. That moment became a true turning point, rekindling a commitment I had long held.
In the summer of 2025, I served as the leader of the School of Education’s Summer Practice Team and traveled with my classmates to Eryuan No. 1 Middle School in Yunnan. What followed was more than a teaching assignment—it was a chapter of profound personal growth.
Lessons from the Classroom
The first time I stood at the lectern, I truly felt the weight of what it means to teach. While I had entered with confidence in my subject knowledge, reality had its own lessons to teach. When students approached the "Rabbit Problem" in ways I hadn’t anticipated, I realized teaching is as much about listening as it is about explaining. Catching sight of my own uneven handwriting on the blackboard, I understood that fundamental skills need honing. Pacing, questioning, board design—every detail carries meaning. I’m grateful to those students for showing me, with kindness and clarity, the distance between where I was and where I aspire to be as a mathematics teacher.
My first time at the head of the class
Bringing Mathematics to Life
Finding ways to make mathematics come alive was a welcome challenge. Seeing how creatively other subjects were taught only deepened my resolve. In response, I built a mathematical modeling lesson around the "Gift Wrap Ribbon" case—tying abstract formulas to a tangible, everyday puzzle. The moment I saw students lean in, engage, and start solving, any lingering doubt melted away. Their focus was our reward, and when the class ended smoothly, I felt both relief and a quiet sense of triumph.
Exploring mathematical modeling together
Responsibility and Inspiration as a Team Leader
As team leader, I also handled logistics and planning. One of the most touching moments came on our final day, during an aerial photo activity. After teaching four straight classes, I stayed up sketching formation plans. What moved me most was how quickly the students grasped the idea and worked together—transforming a sketch on paper into the Chinese characters "上交大" (SJTU) seen from the sky. In that instant, any weariness vanished, replaced by the deep satisfaction that comes from teamwork.
My late-night formation sketch
The aerial photo—a perfect collaboration
Gratitude and Hopes
My heartfelt thanks go to the students of Eryuan. Your discipline, curiosity, and openness were the greatest gifts to our team. You allowed me, perhaps for the first time, to feel the quiet power of education from the teacher’s side of the room.
I’d also like to leave you with two thoughts: First, get to know yourself soon. Each of you is unique. A meaningful life isn’t about running the same race as everyone else—it’s about cultivating your own strengths in a field that fits you. Second, be brave and stay engaged. Life is an open-book exam. Speaking up, stepping forward, and asking questions will almost always lead you further than waiting in silence.
Discussing future paths in a career planning session
Our class—a memory I’ll carry forward
EPILOGUE
This piece is dedicated to the story of growth I’ve shared with SOE. My gratitude runs deep—for faculty who saw potential in me, for a program that let me plant seeds of idealism, and for experiences that have moved me profoundly. Wherever the journey leads, I will carry the spirit of this School and the calling of an educator with me.
With all my heart, I wish SOE an ongoing success and a lasting legacy in shaping the minds of tomorrow.
Written by LIU Xuanhe
Proofread and Edited by CHEN Ruoxi
Copyright © 2021年 上海交通大学 教育学院
