It requires significant efforts if one treats his or her job as an undertaking. In this sense, being a qualified “teacher” is never an easy task since you will lead a completely different life once you choose to take up this job. To be a teacher is not only to spread knowledge but also to communicate love. What we say and do sets up an example for the children to learn, which is fairly true to those teachers in kindergartens. It is our due responsibilities to create the first brilliant chapter in the lives of these innocent kids. However, motivated by the children, we are able to surmount any difficulty and trouble on the way ahead no matter how hard the cause is. With twinkle and smile of the children, we feel from our innermost that it is proud to be a teacher.

　　I can still clearly remember the first Teacher’s Day after I joined the Soong Ching Ling Kindergarten to start my career. Frankly speaking, it is a laborious job. In winter, I usually got up at five o’clock in the morning and went to work in the mist. After the kindergarten was over and I put everything in order, it was already late in the evening. Moreover, the children’s matters always topped our minds. Nobody but we had the live experience of being kept on our toes all day long. In particular, we should spend more time and efforts to deal with naughty children. However, little did I think that it was these children that would touch me the most.

　　On the morning of the Teacher’s Day, many children sent us the greeting cards they prepared on their own. The powerful hugs and good whishes given by the children made us very happy. Alex, the naughtiest one in my class, said with a card in his hands: “Happy Teacher’s Day. Thank you for your hard work!” Then I asked him how hard I worked. By this question I should have thought that the boy who always made troubles would not remember what we have taught and helped him. But I was wrong! “Thank you for your coming to the kindergarten first everyday to make toys ready and prepare various games”, Alex added. “Thank you for going out with us for fun.” “Thank you for telling us interesting stories.” “Thank you for helping us dress.” “Gratitude goes to my dear teachers!” I was deeply moved by each word of the boy that had mentioned the most common and essential aspects of our daily work, even those that had developed into habits. It was the first time for me to understand the significance of “To teach is to learn”. I am usually a teacher of these kids while, on this special occasion, these children in their five or six enable me to be aware of the fact that “the most common is the source of gratitude and love”. It was also at the moment that I understood that the hard work of a teacher could be acknowledged and paid off.

　　In reality, when I recall my past days in the kindergarten, I firmly believe that each teacher treasures the unique memorable experiences. It is agreed that these experiences are all relevant to “kids” and the love we give them. The achievements made by the kids through efforts, as well as their first smiles after crying and the big hugs after separation for a long time, touch our innermost feelings. We know that all these changes that the children undergo will not happen without our constant cares for them. The children will reciprocate our love and care for them to a full extent. During their growth, the kids will accumulate what they have got from us and, ultimately, love and care others in the future. Love is such miraculous power that inexhaustible strength can be created even by trifles, deep impression generated by little surprise, and sincere rewards made for hard work. “Love” demonstrates why teacher is a great job.

　　Thanks! Thank my parents for raising me in an environment full of love;

　　Thanks! Thank my teachers for enabling me to be immersed in the feeling of being beloved;

　　Thanks! Thank my leaders and colleagues for enabling me to understand that “contribution” also embodies love;

　　Thanks! Thank the children staying with us every day for giving me the “satisfaction from love” and “reward from love”;

　　I feel right about taking up the most notable career under heaven and following the great cause initiated by Soong Ching Ling. I am willing to make great efforts for the undertaking of “love”.

　　Wang Jiayi

　　CWI Soong Ching Ling Kindergarten