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From Student to Teacher: A Journey of Warmth and Growth

2026-02-03Views：34

DING Haozhan used to sit in a classroom. Now he stands at the front of one.
He just graduated from Shanghai Jiao Tong University's School of Education. Today, he teaches English at the high school attached to the same university—as if he never really left, only grew into someone new.
It began with a shy boy in high school. His homeroom teacher saw something in him and asked him to be class president. At first, he could barely speak without a script. But night after night, standing in front of his classmates, he found his voice. That was the moment a seed was planted.
Years later, he was a business English major, interning in finance and consulting. On paper, it made sense. But in his heart, that seed kept whispering. So he listened. He turned down a different path and walked into SJTU's education program.
There, two professors showed him what teaching really means. One guided his thesis with patience and quiet logic. The other turned their class into a little family—even through screens during the pandemic. They didn't just teach him; they warmed him.
Now, as a homeroom teacher himself, DING doesn't just teach English. He watches over his students the way someone once watched over him. His classroom is tidy, kind, and focused. He takes photos and makes videos, saving small moments like little gifts.
His advice: find your direction, don't fear the hard work, and pass on the warmth you once received. That quiet light keeps going.

Written by DING Haozhan

Proofread and Edited by CHEN Ruoxi

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