Learning Records

Activity Theme:

Interview Her experience is as rich as Yu Jen—Miss Yang

Place:

School History Room

Time:

15/11/2007 Thursday; 8am-9am

People:

Lin,Shuang-Chu、Wang,Chia-Yu、Lin,Yi-Yun、Chan,Ya-Ting、
Chang,Kai-Hsiang、Chao,Yi-Ching、Chen,Yu-Jou、Chen,Chu-En、
Huang,Yi-Chieh、Lee,Shu-Mei、Huang,Yu-Hsuan、Wang,Tzu-Wei、
Lee, Pi-Chu、Tsai, Hui-Chen、Yang, Fei-Ting

Content:

How are you, Miss Yang? We are from the team attending this year International Schools CyberFair. When our school just established, you started to teach in our school. We think that your experience is as rich as Yu Jen Catholic Elementary School and you must have a deep relationship with the school. We would like to ask you some questions to be part of our project.

 Miss Yang answered our questions with humor

Chen,Chu-En:

Could you tell us the reason that you decided to leave from LuKang to Taichung in order to teach in Yu Jen Catholic Elementary School?

Miss Yang:

I am from LuKang. I studied at Taipei Municipal University of Education. After graduation, I left from Taipei to teach in Taichung. It was in 1967, and Yu Jen is the first private school established by Catholic Church. It is because the school was just established and did not have enough materials that teaching in the new school is a challenge for me. My personality is active since I was a student. I always make more efforts to make my dreams come true. In addition, I like children very much, so I decided to leave for Taichung for teaching. I would like to see the school growing from zero to a perfect school, so I chose to teach in Taichung.

Huang,Yu-Hsuan:

Could you tell us how old were you at that time? Is this your first job?

Miss Yang:

Guess how old I was at that time? I was eighteen! It is hard to guess, isn't it? At that time, graduation was approaching which is usually in July and I was hired in March. This is my first job as well as the last one. Because I like teaching very much, I never think of changing my job.

 Chan,Ya-Ting:

How many classes were in our school? How many teachers?

Miss Yang:

There were five classes of kindergarten and two classes of the elementary school. Students were all freshmen, pretty small. Moreover, there were three teachers in the two elementary school classes. Teachers taught all subjects. There was one teacher teaching singing. I don't know much about teachers in kindergarten.

Chao,Yi-Ching:

Did you teach 1^st grade class? How many students were there in the class? Were they well-behaved?

Miss Yang:

Yes. There was only first grade class at that time and there were 50 students in the class. The number of students was fewer than that of public schools. There were about 70 to 80 students in each class of public school. There were 80 to 90 students in each class of Taipei Lao Song Elementary School, so the number of students of each class of Yu Jen was few. As for students, it depends on the definition of ‘well-behaved’. At that time, most of students were honest and shy; in addition, they seldom interacted with teachers and talked to teachers, so there was a distance between teachers and students.

Huang,Yi-Chieh:

Could you tell us how you felt when it was your first time on the stage for teaching?

Miss Yang:

Actually, to be a teacher needs not only enough knowledge but also a lot of training. We need to do internship for a long time. I was doing my teaching internship at an elementary school close to my university in Taipei and students there were very active, like students here now. The reason that they were so active and excited was that many practice teachers were often appointed to teach in this elementary school. Those students’ parents were professors or diplomats and those children were very smart and liked to ask questions. Teaching in the school was a great challenge for me. In addition, when I was a practice teacher, I needed to simulate the situation of being a director of Academic Affairs or even a principal. After those training, I would not feel nervous when teaching. When I decided to teach in Yu Jen, the direct of Academic Affairs and the principal were both agreed. However, the class teacher disagreed with my decision because he worried if the new school wasn't established successfully, what I was going to do with my job? I like to do something challenging. I took a great responsibility and thought I was important. I would like to make my students like me and their parents trust me. I thought if I did well in teaching in the school, it couldn't be better. Therefore, when it was my first time in teaching, because I thought my responsibility was huge and I was not nervous at all, I took seriously in teaching.

 Lin,Yi-Yun:

Have you ever met any difficulties and felt frustrated while teaching?

Miss Yang:

It is normal that people meet difficulties, and I always try to overcome those difficulties bravely. Students in the school where I did internship were all smart and active. At that time, the distance between city and county was great, so I encountered different problems. However, I am tough enough to overcome those difficulties. When I had troubles, I always went to discuss with the principal who was 26 years old and as young as me. Although I had more experience in teaching, we would integrate our ideas—that is, it was like three heads are better than one. We regard difficulties as challenges. The more challenges there are, the more energies I have. In addition, another good way is to discuss with students’ parents to look for the problems of students and resolve together. Generally, methods are agreed by parents. After parents agree with my suggestions, it is easier to deal with those problems. Although there are many difficulties, I need to try my best to deal with them.

Wang,Tzu-Wei:

What is the big difference between teaching approaches before and present?

Miss Yang:

At present, teachers are more professional and focus on subject-specific teaching. In addition, teachers have more teaching materials such as projectors than before. Teachers used to teach without enough teaching materials and teach all subjects—that is, they were professional in all subjects. When our school established, I used to serve as conductor of our orchestra, shout commands in the playground, and teach in the evening. Compared with present, teaching approaches were rough, so teachers’ eloquence is the most important. I often tell myself that instead of teaching, I need to play what is in books—that is, I teach them by means of playing the contents. I think that knowledge is actually investigated by students.

Wang,Chia-Yu:

You must like your teaching job very much because you have taught for 40 years. Could you tell us what is your teaching philosophy?

Miss Yang:

 have taught for 40 years and come to school with smile everyday because I like to get along with students and feel happy to be with them. Being at school everyday is a happy thing and I do not think that teaching is a job. When others asked me, “Why are you still so happy when you have been a teacher for 40 years?” I feel happier because most of problems I have already encountered and I really like students’ active and innocent. This is my first job and I think it is the last one too. As for teaching philosophy, I always believe, “Every man has its gift.” This quote is important for every elementary school student because children are innocent and cute and don’t know what kind of potentials they have. When you are a junior or senior high school student, teacher need to guide students to look for their own specialties and to look for their potentials to develop. If a teacher does not give a student a chance to develop and parents are busy too, the student can only find his specialty when he grows up. While you find your own specialty, you are going to lose because you begin slower than other people. Therefore, I think that looking for a student's specialty is very important. Discovering a student's specialty as early as possible is the most important thing for me.

Lin,Shuang-Chu:

Do you think that there is any big change of students’ attitude from before till now?

Miss Yang:

Learning attitude is relative to social background. Students used to be honest and simple and not be influenced by complicated and diverse society. There was television until the second year of my teaching and at that time, programs were not so many, so time for watching TV was less than now. Because they gained less knowledge, when they encountered difficulties, they spent a lot of time resolving problems. They would spend a long time learning a lot to resolve a problem. At present, students’ opportunity is a lot and they have more choices in learning. However, when they have troubles or meet difficulties, they don't know how to overcome and will give up soon. They often think, “If I cannot learn this, there are others I can learn.” Although they learn a lot of things, they cannot focus on their learning. They know a lot , have rich knowledge in each aspect, and more active.

Lin,Yi-Yun:

Do you think that students have a tendency to be under great pressure?

Miss Yang:

Because the information was not prevailing, it was hard for parents to compare their children with others. At present, parents worry that their children will lose at the start, so they will ask children to learn a lot. Your parents want you to be great, so I think that your pressure is bigger than before. However, I think that students have many learning opportunities, they have less time to review what they have learned and don't have time to absorb. Therefore, learning becomes a pressure.

Chang,Kai-Hsiang:

If Miss Yang meets mischievous students, what will you do?

Miss Yang:

Because there are too much negative news on newspapers and TVs, children often learn bad behaviors unintentionally. Before, students were naughty but not bad and they all understood what teachers taught. It is hard for them to sit tight. I often let them be my assistants or class officers and they will have the chance to do some work. After becoming a little assistant, I will tell them that you are working for Miss Yang, so you must do it well. In addition, I told them that they have to pay attention to my teaching. Most of students will do well after they have responsibility and they know that they won’t be punished, so they will be well-behaved.

Lin,Shuang-Chu:

If your students meet difficulty, what will you do to encourage them?

Miss Yang:

When students meet difficulty, I will try to understand if these are from psychology or ability. If a student's frustration comes from psychology, I will encourage them to read nobles’ or famous people's biographies. I usually tell some story about how a famous person achieves success and encourage my students. Recently, I always tell stories about Chien-Ming Wang and Ang Lee. They are not so successful in the beginning. They both met some difficulties and Ang Lee was a laborer and Chien-Ming Wang was not the best one in Taiwan. When you encounter difficulty, it is a good chance to develop your ability. It is possible to be successful if you keep working hard.As for the difficulty come from ability, I will tell him/her to cooperate with friends and do not try to overcome the difficulty by himself or herself. It is better to overcome it together.

 Wang,Chia-Yu:

Have your students done any things to make you touched and pleasant during your teaching in Yu Jen during those years?

Miss Yang:

I think there are many things to make me touched and pleasant because students and I have a very close relationship. One thing which impressed me most is that I don't know how they know my birthday and some students stayed in the classroom for decoration during the flag-raising ceremony. They paved stairs with newspapers to be a long red carpet like Hollywood boulevard. When I walked into the classroom, they stood on both sides and let off firecrackers. The classroom was decorated so pretty. They also drew beautiful pictures on the blackboard. Miss Lin Pi Chu came to cut the cake for me. I was so touched. Therefore, my birthday starts to spread and every year they will celebrate my birthday. However, I don't want them to waste time and money because it will cause students’ burden. Therefore, celebration ends.

Chen,Yu-Jou:

Do you keep in touch with any students through teaching for several years?

Miss Yang:

Many students and I always keep in touch and sometimes I will be their matchmaker. Of course, I do not match two people purposely. I usually serve as matchmaker on the wedding ceremony. Not only students but their parents keep in touch with me. When parents do not like their child's friends, they will come to me to ask for help. Therefore, I will interfere in the student's relationship with friends. Of course, I won't only listen to parent's words. Sometimes when I think the friends are good, I will agree with the student's choice. There was a couple disapproved by parents, but I know one day he would have a chance to improve. I persuaded the girl's parents and now this couple has three children already. It is really great. There are two couples in my class and I used to be the matchmaker. When they had problems in the relationship, it seems teachers provide more suggestions to them than parents or friends do. Therefore, while students grow up and they have difficulties in relationship with friends and parents, they will come to me. So I have a lot of people keeping in touch! During vacations, students will come to visit teachers. This is one of characteristics of Yu Jen because teachers in our school care for students a lot and they are getting along with very well. You will realize this after you attend junior high school, senior high school and university. You will know that elementary school teachers care for you most.

Lee,Shu-Mei:

Does any student impress you a lot?

Miss Yang:

There is a student whose last name is Sun. Because his parents got married very late, he is the only child and his parents treat him very strictly. He has few friends. Once in health education class, we were discussing family education and everyone were complaining a mother favored his brother or sister more, her sister was bad…etc. Student Sun stood up and said, “Shut up!” and then he cried. Everybody was shocked by him. Because he was the only child, he told to other students, “You never know that you live in happiness already. You only keep complaining. It is great to have something to complain. I have nothing to complain at all.”Then the class was very quiet and I told students not to fight with their sisters and brothers. I asked them to get along with and respect them. In that class, I didn't teach anything and it seemed that students realized. This class impressed me a lot.

Chao,Yi-Ching:

Could you tell us who the senior teachers for being teachers for 30 years or more are?

Miss Yang:

There are Mr. Hsiao Chang Chin, Mr. Tseng Shui Cheng, Mr. Fang Hao Hsien, Miss Hong Shu Chi, Miss Chao Ai Ping, Miss Fu Mei Hua, Miss Lin Pi Chu, and Mr. Wang Chih Chuan.

 Lee,Shu-Mei:

People said that Mr. Liao Chih Ching was your student. Is this true?

Miss Yang:

No. His brother was my student and Mr. Liao Chih Ching was Mr. Hsiao Chang Chin's student.

Huang,Yu-Hsuan:

What do you think that your students can teach in Yu Jen?

Miss Yang:

There are many students such as Mr. Chi Juei Sun who teaches Chinese orchestra, Miss Hsiao Yu Wen who teaches piano, Miss Li Li Chen, etc. I think my students come back to teach here are the most. Once Principal Sister Shih said with humor, “Did you tell your students to come back to teach here when they graduated?” In fact, it wasn't me but they can feel that being a teacher is a happy thing and a big responsibility from my passionate teaching. They told me if I meet difficulties, I can discuss with them. This makes me think that passing on experience is more important.

 Wang,Tzu-Wei:

Do you know of any teachers that were students of present Yu Jen teachers in the past?

Miss Yang:

At present, there are Mr. Hsiao Chang Chin and Mr. Liao Chih Ching. Miss Chang Bai Mei is my student.

Chen,Yu-Jou:

Have you ever taught students who are your students’ children?

Miss Yang:

There are a lot. As for this term, there are Shao Ching Fang and Chiu Ching Tang; as for last term, there was Yao Jia Chi. Sometimes I told them not to call me teacher but grandma teacher. Just kidding! The happiest thing is that they said I am younger than before when they come back to see me.

Chan,Ya-Ting:

What is the most impressive spiritual feeling for you to teach in Yu Jen for a long time?

Miss Yang:

When I studied in the university, there were 39 classmates and all of them teach in public schools and only I teach in the private school. Therefore, I understand the situation of publish schools. Teachers in public schools usually have to be in charge of administration affairs. Teachers in our school only have to focus on teaching, so I think that it is easier for teachers to teach in Yu Jen make progress because they have no additional affairs to deal with. In addition, students gain more benefits. Because Yu Jen is a Catholic school, students are concerned a lot. Moreover, colleagues’ relationship is great and we are like a big family. Teachers in public schools will go home immediately after school but our teachers won't. Like yesterday we rehearsed until six pm. Teachers in Yu Jen always regard Yu Jen as their home. Like last time I went to play tennis and encountered a parent and he said, “Miss Yang, I don’t know that you are not only my daughter's teacher but her husband's teacher until now.” I asked his son-in-law's name and remembered that he was the student who were not tall and sit in the first row. Then I started to talk about his everything while he was an elementary school. The parent was very shocked and said, “Why do you remember him so clearly?” He impressed me a lot. Needless to say, my memory has to be very great. In fact, it is hard for me to remember all names of students. At that time, there were 50 students in my class and our school asked us to remember all the names in two weeks. I asked myself to remember all names in three days and I did it, so I think that I have a pretty good memory. The important thing is not to remember the names but to devote to students with heart. The most impressive spiritual feeling is that I feel that Yu Jen is like a big family and student-teacher relationship is very great. When we encounter difficulties, we always encourage each other. It is bliss to teach in Yu Jen with everybody.

Chang,Kai-Hsiang:

Could Miss Yang say some encourages to us?

Miss Yang:

Present is luckier than that time I used to live and you are luckier to study in Yu Jen than in a public school. Because you have such a good opportunity and learning environment, you have to make use of this and discover your own potentials to make efforts earlier. There are many teachers teaching you patiently. In addition, present society is diverse and professional, so every job requires credentials—that is, you need to develop yourselves to be professional. Students need to discover their specialties as early as possible. Moreover, a family used to have more than one child, so children understood how to get along with each other in a group. However, at present, most of you are the only child, so the more important thing for you is to learn how to live in a group well and how to get along with others who are at the same age with you. Strengthening interpersonal relationship can let you grow up sooner.

 Always young Miss Yang with everyone

Learning Records