(Minghui.org) Mei is a star teacher at her elementary school. She always has a big smile on her face and is full of energy. She treats her students fairly and is always happy to help a co-worker out. The parents love her, because she not only is a great teacher, but also a good role model for her students.
“I owe it to Falun Dafa,” Mei said with a smile. “Dafa taught me to always put others first. I feel responsible for my kids and their parents.” Living by Dafa's principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, Mei works very hard but takes self-interest lightly.
Because of the government's one-child policy, the majority of the children in her class are only children. The parents spoil their kids, but then put a lot of pressure on them to do well academically, making a teacher's job increasingly difficult. “It hasn't always been easy, but I try to do my best,” she said.
“I used to suffer from liver disease and persistent skin problems. I was so weak that my five-minute commute to work on a bike would tire me out. Since I started practicing Falun Gong, my health problems are gone. Now I can focus my energy on teaching and on my students. It is such a blessing!”
“Thank you, Ms. Mei”
To her students, Mei is this nice, down to earth teacher that everyone loves. She is nice to everyone, even the troublemakers. She never says anything to hurt their feelings or put them down. Instead, she reasons with them patiently.
One of her students remembers when Mei went out of her way to get an exercise booklet for him. “I was so touched. All the other teachers treat me like I'm stupid because I don't have good grades. Only Ms. Mei treated me with respect. Thank you, Ms. Mei.”
Mei sets a great example for her students for what a good teacher and a good person should be. She is always patient, sincere, and kind to her students. They now all know about Falun Dafa because of her.
Helping Out Her Colleagues
When other teachers call in sick, the principal sometimes has a hard time finding a substitute. But Mei almost always agrees to fill in when asked. The principal is very grateful: “My job would be so much easier if everyone were a Falun Dafa practitioner.”
It is extra work for Mei when she substitutes. Sometimes she teaches eight classes back to back, but she never seems tired. One of her co-workers said, “How can Mei teach all day and still have energy to spare? I can't even go a half day without a break. Maybe we should all practice Falun Dafa.”
Taking Self-Interest Lightly
Private summer schools are very popular with the parents, because they want their kids to get a head start in academics for the coming year. Many such schools are run by credentialed teachers as side jobs to make extra income.
After being asked many times, Mei also started such a school, but she only charges a fraction of what other schools charge. After paying the rent for her space, she barely makes a profit. The parents wonder why she doesn't charge more. Mei told them that she was not in it for the money, but to help the students.
Mei and a few other teachers also teach an after school program. After the program ends each year, she contacts the parents and refunds them a part of her compensation.
“Divided by the number of students, the cost should be less than what was charged. I taught for an hour and half each day and 300 yuan a month is enough. I can't take more than that,” she explained.
The parents insisted that Mei keep the money because she worked very hard and deserved it. One parent told her, “Another program charged more than twice what you guys charge. I am really happy with the price, so please, just keep the money. It's so hard to find good teachers like you nowadays.”
Mei told her that, as a Dafa practitioner, she thinks of others first—the parents work very hard to provide for their children and they shouldn't have to pay more. One of the parents said, “It would be wonderful if everyone was more like Dafa practitioners. I will tell everyone I know that Dafa is good and its practitioners are good people.”
