Xie Chenghong is principal of a special-education school in Anda, a city in Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Xie is referred to as the "mother" of the school's 242 students. Xie's husband, Han Tingjun, is head of the Tie'xi Bureau of Anda City's Administration for Market Regulation. Xie and Han love and respect each other, and they devote themselves to their work, show filial piety to their elderly family members, and take seriously the well-rounded education of their son. Also, they care about children with special-education needs, and they do their best to hold up a sunny sky for those children.

Great Love

Xie was born into a worker's family. "When I was young, my parents answered our State's call by relocating our family to East China's Jiangxi Province for work. Later, we moved back to Northeast China to help reclaim wasteland. I learned from the generation of my parents that a family ought to make a contribution in support of the development of our 'big family' — our country. Influenced by my parents, I know my small family can enjoy a happy life, but only if our 'big family' is in peace and happiness," Xie says.

She became principal of the special-education school in February 2009. By that time, she had worked in education for more than 20 years. When Xie first arrived at the school, she noticed the school's facilities were quite poor. The school owned only one computer. "Many people think special education requires one to make a lot of effort, and that such an effort can hardly be repaid. One who works in a special-education school must treat his/her students with great love and patience. While I was growing up, my father told me it is one's good luck to have the chance to help others. Since I began working at this special-education school, I have done my best to teach my students to live with self-esteem. I am determined to help them obtain a better education," Xie explains.

During the year after Xie became the school's principal, she helped the school receive special funding, allocated by the State, to support the development of special education. The money was used to construct a new building. Xie was extremely proud in March 2010 when she watched the students and teachers moving into the new building.

During the past 13 years, with hard work, Xie has guided the special-education school during its transformation into a renowned school, which has been named as a model school by Heilongjiang's provincial education department. And she has been named a National March 8th Red-Banner Holder and a recipient of the National Special Education Gardener award.

Xie has maintained one habit throughout the years; every day, when she has walked into the classroom, she has given her students a high five. "The students are looking forward to seeing me. Once they hear I am walking to the classroom, someone will speak loudly, 'Principal is coming!' They are familiar with my voice," Xie says. Her students' smiles motivate her to continue working hard. On a wall in one of the ground floor hallways are the Chinese words that translate to, "Love creates miracles." Xie believes an education filled with love will result in positive changes for students with disabilities.

'Principal Mom'

Teachers who work in a special-education school not only impart knowledge, but they also shoulder the responsibility of looking after the students. Zhang Tao, a hearing-impaired boy, enrolled in the school in March 2010. Xie treats the boy as if he were her child. She buys clothes and shoes for Zhang, and she helps him wash his hair, feet and clothes. She also invites him to her home to spend weekends and holidays. Zhang once said, "Principal Mom, I will never forget all the kind deeds you have done for me."

Zhang has grown into an optimistic student. During the ceremony to award the Top 10 "Longjiang Good Mothers," on May 28, 2018, Zhang was invited to present flowers to Xie. She was one of the recipients. Zhang used sign language to "sing" a song to express his love and gratitude to his "Principal Mom."

Xie established a teaching group in 2015. Teachers of the group visit the homes of students, who are severely disabled and/or who live far from the school, to provide them with an education. One student, nicknamed Xiaowen, suffers from cerebral palsy. A few years ago, Xiaowen was paralyzed in bed. Members of the teaching group explored methods to help her walk, with equipment. Xie and other teachers used snacks, toys, games and performance interactions to foster Xiaowen's interest in studying. Now, while holding a teacher's hand, Xiaowen can stand. When she reflects on Xiaowen's progress, Xie believes all of the teachers' efforts have been worthwhile.

During the past several years, Xie and other teachers have visited the homes of more than 100 students, for a combined 1,900-plus visits. They have taught those students basic knowledge, and they have helped the students improve their ability to communicate and look after themselves. Teachers from the school have given warmth, confidence and strength to the families of students with special needs.

Taking Good Care of the Elderly, Young

Han is busy with his work every day; however, he never forgets to support his wife in her career. Han is a good cook, and each day, after he returns home from work, he cooks dinner and delivers the food to Xie. He always cooks extra food, so Xie can share with her colleagues and students. Han believes he and Xie are the special "father" and "mother" of the students.

Han's father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2012. Xie was attentive to her father-in-law, and fed him meals and medicine. Even after she and Han placed the elderly man in a care home, Xie visited her father-in-law, almost every day after work, to make sure he was getting good sleep. Since her father-in-law passed away peacefully, in 2013, Xie has continued to shoulder the responsibility of looking after her mother-in-law, who has diabetes mellitus. "I must take good care of my mother-in-law, the same way I take care of my mother," Xie says. She cooks for her mother-in-law, helps her wash her hair and take a bath, takes medicine to her, and gives her massages.

Xie and Han not only show filial piety to their elderly family members, they also do their best to create a harmonious and loving family atmosphere for their son, Han Jiabao. "I ask my son to study hard. First, I must set a good example for him. I must prove to him the importance of reading and studying diligently," Xie says.

Han Jiabao enrolled in Beijing Normal University in 2013. He was named a "national excellent university student" and a "Beijing excellent university student" several times. In 2017, he was recommended by Beijing Normal University to enroll in postgraduate studies in Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Xie, Han Tingjun and Han Jiabao urge each other to work hard, do the right thing, and spread warmth and love to those in need. In May last year, the family was named a National Five-Virtues Family.

Photos Supplied by Interviewee

(Source: The Department of Family and Children's Affairs of the All-China Women's Federation/Women of China English Monthly January 2023 issue)