To champion the spirit of educators and advance the drive to build a powerful nation through education, the 5th National "Telling My Educating Stories" Showcase (Guizhou Stop) unfolded on July 4 at Guizhou University.Jointly initiated to highlight the dedication of frontline educators, the event was hosted by the Department of Teacher Affairs under the Ministry of Education, organized by the Education Department of Guizhou Province, and co-hosted by Guizhou University. Attendees included Jiao Yang, Vice President of the China Education Association for International Exchange, Director of the National Committee of Experts on the Construction of Faculty Ethics and Style in Higher Education Institutions, and former Party Secretary of Fudan University; Li Jun, Deputy Secretary of the Guizhou Provincial Education Working Committee; Song Bao’an, Academician and President of Guizhou University; and Zhang Dalin, Vice President of Guizhou University. A total of 18 outstanding teachers from six regions—Chongqing, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guangxi, Tibet, and Guizhou—gathered at Guizhou University to deliver impassioned accounts of their frontline teaching experiences. Their stories vividly embodied the mission and sense of responsibility shouldered by educators in the new era, serving as a tribute to the profession and an inspiration for the broader education community.
Jiao Yang delivered a speechat the event, offering insights into Guizhou University’s role in education and outlining clear expectations for educators nationwide. She commended Guizhou University as a flagship comprehensive institution in Guizhou Province, noting its long-standing history, comprehensive disciplinary layout, and strategic location in Southwest China. “Rooted in this region, the university has nurtured countless pillars of society and outstanding educators—not only for Guizhou and its neighboring areas but also for the whole country,” Jiao emphasized, underscoring education’s pivotal role in fueling regional economic and social development.Turning to the spirit of educators, Jiao highlighted its richness and profundity, explaining that its six core elements are interlinked, mutually reinforcing, and form a dialectically unified organic whole. “This framework serves as both a spiritual blueprint and a practical guide for educators in the new era,” she stressed.To further promote the spirit and inspire teachers to learn from role models around them, Jiao put forward three key expectations:first, deepen the study and understanding of the spirit’s core essence to solidify the ideological foundation of education;second, diligently refine professional knowledge and practical skills to fulfill the fundamental mission of nurturing talent;third, take the lead in practice, work with dedication, and contribute to the collective effort of building a strong education nation.
Li Jun emphasized that education serves as the cornerstone for building a strong nation and advancing national rejuvenation. He noted that the Guizhou Provincial Party Committee and Government have firmly upheld and strengthened the Party’s overall leadership over education, implemented the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education, and prioritized education as a strategic pillar of development. These efforts, he added, have driven new breakthroughs in Guizhou’s education sector and opened a new chapter in building a “province with strong education”. Li hoped that the eventwould serve as an opportunity to vigorously promote and practice the spirit of educators. He urged the event to guide teachers in fostering a deeper passion for their profession, enhancing their teaching capabilities, advancing reform and innovation, and ultimately boosting the high-quality development of education in the region. Looking ahead, Li expressed confidence that under the inspiration and guidance of the outstanding educators, Guizhou will nurture more “exemplary educators” and cultivate a greater number of “talented students”. These achievements, he stressed, will contribute significantly to advancing the practice of Chinese-style modernization in Guizhou.
Song Bao’an emphasized that teachers are the cornerstone of establishing quality education and the driving force behind revitalizing the education sector. He noted that for a long time, both the Department of Teacher Affairs under the Ministry of Education and the Guizhou Provincial Department of Education have regarded teacher development as a core foundational task in building a strong education nation. Their sustained efforts, he added, have provided robust support for Guizhou University in constructing a high-caliber faculty team. Song highlighted that the host of the event at Guizhou University carries dual significance: it is not only a recognition of the university’s achievements in faculty development but also a crucial opportunity to inspire the enthusiasm and morale of its teaching staff. Looking forward, Song expressed expectations that the event would serve as a platform for universities in the Southwest region to exchange experiences, share insights, and build consensus on high-quality education practices. He stressed that such collaboration will enable all participants to make new contributions to the national journey of building a strong education nation.
During the event, 18 educators took turns sharing their personal journeys in education, each embodying a unique facet of the educator’s spirit. Some have long rooted themselves in schools in underdeveloped regions, devoting to bridging educational gaps; others have committed to the frontlines of teaching and research, blending academic exploration with student guidance; some have used music as a tool to enlighten young minds; and some have dedicated their careers to special education, nurturing vulnerable students with love and patience. Collectively, they stand as steadfast believers, active communicators, and loyal practitioners of the educator’s spirit.
Xie Chengji, Deputy Director of the Teacher Work Department of Guizhou University’s Party Committee, shared a heartfelt story about his doctoral supervisor — Academician Ma Kejian — describing him as an educator who “elevated teaching to the level of imparting wisdom and shaping people.”“When I participated in the‘Project for Collecting Academic Growth Materials of Senior Scientists’ initiated by the China Association for Science and Technology, I sorted out 3,578 pages of hand-drawn sketches by Academician Ma,” Xie recalled emotionally. “The earliest one dates back to 1960, a structural diagram of the cafeteria at Guizhou Institute of Technology; the latest was a design drawing for Guizhou’s Intelligent Manufacturing Base, which Academician Ma personally reviewed when he was 91 years old.”“In my eyes, these yellowed, curled sketches are not just paper and ink — they are vivid testaments to Academician Ma’s lifelong dedication to education and scientific research,” Xie added, his voice carrying the weight of admiration.
The event is part of the Ministry of Education’s“Spirit of Educators Journey” series. Designed to create a platform for teachers to demonstrate their commitment to the teaching frontline and their role in contributing to national strength, the initiative aims to identify advanced models who have rooted themselves in frontline teaching and dedicated their careers to nurturing students. Additionally, it seeks to foster a social atmosphere that respects teachers, values education, and promotes collaborative efforts in advancing educational development.As part of the event, 10 outstanding educators will be selected from the 18 participants to advance to the national-level showcase.
Judges and guests attending the event also included Li Hongyan, Party Secretary of the School of Broadcasting and Hosting Arts of Communication University of China; Yu Haixia, Director of the Special Program Department of the Social and Education Program Center of China Central Radio and Television; Yu Yanjun, former Party member and Deputy Director of the Memorial Hall of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japan; Yan’an, Director of the Traffic Broadcasting Center of Beijing Broadcasting Television Station; Hua Yuchen, Teacher of Ganghua Primary School in Qingshan District, Wuhan City, Hubei Province, National Most Beautiful Teacher, and member of the 2024 National Spirit of Educators Touring Lecture Group; Cai Hong, Director of the Tourism Research Center of Capital University of Economics and Business; Sun Zhiming, Party Secretary and President of Changsha Education College; and Zha Liangliang, Cadre of the Department of Teacher Affairs of the Ministry of Education.
Editor: Zhang Chan
Chief Editor: Li Xufeng
Senior Editor: Ding Long
Translator: Wang Xiaomin
