The lecture delivered by shou-yei(小野.)

On last Monday, I attended a lecture offered by shou-yei(小野.), one of the writer I admire. The lecture was so profound that touched the bottom of my heart and even inspired my passion of education.

He shared his story in teenage to us. When he was in junior high school, one of his teachers discovered his talent in writing, and gave him some books telling him that he might become a great writer in the future. He appreciated this teacher very much who encouraged him to choose what he wanted to be in his heart. Compare to the teacher, his father is the typical man who had a high expectation on the child, hoping that he will find a job and make a fortune, but unconsciously put too much pressure on him. The contradiction of the concept between his father and teacher made him become very confused. Therefore, when he became a father after many years, he learned to give his children a space where they can express themselves freely, a kind of patient waiting for them to discover themselves. I think what the children need is a kind of respect.

He also talked about his fist year but also the last year of teaching experience in junior high school. His students were composed of the teenagers from the family living in poverty. To encourage them to study hard, he donated the books he stored to build a library in the class room, providing extra courses during holiday on the green hill. He said to us that what he did was only the way he thought that is right and benefit to students. After many years, he met one of his students, who is now a professor. The students was so appreciate to shou-yei(小野) that even today, he could recite the song Shou-yei had taught them. I think being a teacher is not a career that can make a fortune, but the spiritual wealth it earns is priceless when you help or participate in the process of somebody’s life.