SVT: Lan Laoshuai Becomes One With Students

To bridge the education gaps of children in remote villages in China, we started our Send A Volunteer Teacher Program for newly graduated teachers and retired educators. One of these is Lan Laoshuai (24), a Math teacher for 21 3rd graders. He is also the school’s Vice Principal in charge of school administration and supplies. He began teaching in September 2023, and we are fortunate to hear his story through a letter he sent us. 

“My name is Lan Laoshuai, and I come from Congjiang, Guizhou. I love playing basketball, table tennis, and Chinese chess. This is my fourth semester volunteering with Liangshan Gongyi. Currently, I’m teaching third-grade math at Liangshan Primary School, and I also serve as the school coordinator.

During our training sessions, I learned a lot from the experienced volunteer teachers at other schools. I gained valuable insights into how to better communicate with students, how to design engaging lessons, and how to guide students to develop a love for math. These skills have greatly helped me in my teaching and have given me much more confidence in the classroom.

At school, I focus on cultivating students’ attention span and independent learning ability. I use a variety of teaching methods, such as group discussions, interactive games, and peer tutoring—to create a fun and relaxed learning environment. I also keep track of students’ progress and feedback so I can adjust my teaching methods accordingly.

Zhaojue County is located in the southwest of Sichuan Province, between 27°45′–28°21′N latitude and 102°22′–103°19′E longitude. Nestled in the heart of the Daliang Mountains, it is about 100 kilometers west of the prefectural capital, Xichang. It’s a multi-ethnic area with the Yi people as the main group. Through several rounds of selection, I was honored to be placed at Liangshan Primary School in Yimudi, one of the oldest towns in the county. I felt both excited and honored by this opportunity, and along the way, I’ve met many wonderful people.

One day, I took my students on a mountain hike.

As we stood before towering peaks, I couldn’t help but be drawn to one particular mountain, which gleamed like it was lit by golden sunlight each day. I felt a surge of excitement. As we stepped onto that land, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, as if whispering, “Welcome.”

We arrived at the base of the mountain, and the students’ eyes sparkled with excitement. We began distributing our gear. Some brought bows and arrows—we had planned ahead. I carried two sets of arrows and one bow, while the students took turns carrying the rest. Once we were ready, we all shouted together, “One, two, three—let’s go!”

On the way up, I noticed several other children trailing along. I tried to stop them, but quickly realized they didn’t understand what I was saying. I asked one of my students to translate, but they still didn’t stop. In their eyes, I saw determination and courage.

After climbing over ridges and crossing streams, we finally reached the top. We had hoped to look out and see all the surrounding mountains, but to our surprise, there was always another peak higher than the last. Still, we didn’t feel discouraged. Instead, we sat down and enjoyed our delicious food.

After the meal, we found a flat area to practice archery. We held a mini archery competition to see who could score the most points. It was a joyful afternoon, and during the process, I felt myself growing closer to the students. We built a strong bond and deep friendship.

As we left, I turned back to look at the majestic mountains behind us, and my heart was full of emotion. This hiking experience gave me a deep appreciation for both the joy and challenge of climbing. It also made me treasure even more the time I spend with these children. I hope we can hold onto this special friendship for a long time.

I’ve come to understand that education is not just about passing on knowledge—it’s about becoming one with each student. I hope that under my guidance, my students will grow to be strong, brave, and optimistic individuals—people who take responsibility and rise to every challenge.

At the same time, I hope my presence can be a source of encouragement in their educational journey. May they find joy in learning every day, have access to better educational resources, and ultimately realize their full potential in life.”