Shao Jiawei Teaches Beyond Music

We are deeply grateful to our teachers from our Send a Volunteer Teacher Program who generously share their time and expertise with children in the mountainous villages of China. One of those teachers is Shao Jiawei, a 22-year-old music teacher for pre-schoolers. He began teaching in September 2024 and shares his story in his own words.

I’d like to share the one that left the deepest impression on me. As a preschool teacher, my role went far beyond just delivering lessons—I was also responsible for guiding the children in their daily lives.

Before the Yi New Year, an organization in Chengdu invited five children from our class to participate in an event. As a newly arrived volunteer teacher, I was quite nervous about taking them—I worried that I might not be able to handle the responsibility well.

Still, I knew deep down that this was a valuable opportunity—not only could it broaden the children’s horizons, but it could also strengthen the trust and understanding between us. I decided to take on the challenge and prepared thoroughly in advance. I familiarized myself with the event schedule, packed the children’s clothing and essentials, and made contingency plans for emergencies.

On the day of the event, I got the children up early to ensure everyone was well-rested and alert. We took a train to Chengdu, and the kids were full of excitement and curiosity about what lay ahead. I took the opportunity to teach them some basic social etiquette and safety tips to help ensure they could participate in the activities happily and safely.

Once we arrived, their performance made me immensely proud. They not only actively participated in all the activities, but also showcased the Yi culture they had learned at school—earning admiration from everyone present. Watching them confidently introduce their hometown and culture filled me with a deep sense of fulfillment.

After the event, we returned safely to school. The experience not only gave the children new knowledge but also strengthened my belief that being a teacher means far more than just teaching in the classroom. Through activities like this, we can help children better adapt to society, build their confidence, and develop social skills. I felt truly gratified—not just because I taught them something, but because I helped them grow into more well-rounded individuals.