Seeds That Blossom: Teachers' Day Stories

In her first year at Pao School, one of Ms. Shapay Cao's students was a quiet girl she hadn't paid much attention to. But one holiday, the girl gave her a card thanking her for being her teacher. "I was surprised and honoured," Ms. Cao said. "Being remembered by a student is very touching." Though the girl later moved up and was no longer in her class, they kept in touch—working together on the yearbook, graduation issue, and for three summers as teacher and Junior Counsellor. "Building such deep trust and a lasting connection with a former student makes me very grateful."

Ms. Cao describes Pao School students as 'hexagonal warriors.' " They not only dare to think, but also dare to act and try," she said. What she most hopes students take away from their time at the school is "a gentle and measured strength," including both respect for others and self-respect.

In the new school year, she is most looking forward to the Middle School opening student-run clubs for the first time. "I am very excited to see the wonderful performances of our student club leaders. I also hope I can help them build a more stable operational framework and give them full support when they need it.”

Alex Mayne, now in his fifth year at Pao School, hopes students take away more than academics: "A strong sense of belonging," he said. "I hope they feel valued, respected and cared for, and know that effort matters most. If they learn this early, they can achieve anything. Above all, I hope they develop a love of learning." This commitment shows in his theatre CCA. "What began as a tiny seed in my first year has blossomed into a thriving programme, with lively acting, singing and dancing performances each semester."

On his own growth at Pao School, he cited the school's generous support for his professional development—from his master's dissertation and a stint as house master to his NPQLT qualification and a visit to Washington International School. "This is the longest stretch of service to a school in my career," he noted. This year he moves from Year 2 to Year 4, most looking forward to "teaching some of my former students again. It is wonderful to see how they have matured—they can now engage deeply with real-world issues and take their learning to new heights." His key message: "In a world where you can be anything, be kind."

For Mr Vandersleyen, the single most impressive feature of Pao School s is its students. "Their curiosity, willingness to try new things, and their lack of fear of failure. You win or you learn." He explained that while winning is a gain, losing is also learning. This attitude of not fearing failure is the core of sportsmanship.

As Director of Sports Programme, the moments he cherishes most are "when students show genuine sportsmanship and integrity, when a student is smiling after achieving something they thought they couldn't do, and when you see the excitement on their faces as they line up to enter the gym." The school's support for teacher-led initiatives makes him feel that "Pao School is an innovative and inspiring place for teaching and learning."

In the new school year, he is looking forward to new curriculum units such as Kin-Ball, and to all teams starting to compete in the Shanghai Schools Sports Leagues.

In Mr. Eddison's eyes, Pao School's 'East-West fusion' is not an abstract concept but a personal experience. He has participated in the school's Apostrophe Club, a CCA in which students teach Chinese to Western teachers. "I was fortunate to learn from a wonderful student who taught me not only the language, but also about Chinese culture and history. I have come to believe that the most effective approach is not to choose between different educational traditions from each culture, but to embrace them and recognise how they can complement one another."

The same kind of 'ignition' also happens in his biology classroom. In a Year 9 Biology lesson on the immune response, for instance, he invited students to act out the process, with different students taking on the roles of pathogens, antigens, lymphocytes, phagocytes, antibodies, and memory cells. "It was wonderful to see them participate with such enthusiasm and commitment as they worked together to represent the way the body responds to infection and develops immunity." What followed impressed him even more. "Several students asked questions that went well beyond the IGCSE curriculum. It reminded me that a single moment in a lesson can spark further research and inspire a lifelong interest in science."

In the new school year, he is looking forward to attending as many student events as possible, including "student performances, varsity sports fixtures, Student Council events, celebrations and fundraising activities taking place throughout the year. I am looking forward to supporting and cheering on our students, and working with the newly elected Student Council to strengthen student voice and continue improving school life here in Songjiang."

New Primary Teacher Librarian, Ms Yunjia Bi, is a relative newcomer to Pao School, but she has already been deeply impressed by the children's enthusiasm for reading. "Many students have come to the library to ask when they can borrow books, and former 'little librarians' have asked whether they can continue to serve this year. These small moments make me feel that the library is a part of campus life that the students especially appreciate." she said.

As a new teacher, she is especially grateful for the school's support during the library renovation. "The school's emphasis on the learning environment and its attention to students' all-round development have deeply inspired me," she said. "I am most looking forward to welcoming students and parents to this newly refreshed reading space when the library reopens. I hope it will become a place filled with the joy of reading, exchange of ideas, and discovery of new knowledge."

Speaking of her first impressions of Pao School, Ms Esther Li was most struck by a comment from Executive Headmaster Mark Bishop during new teacher orientation. "He encouraged us to aim to make at least one real mistake by the end of December. It's a small thing to say, but it says a lot. It tells me that at Pao School, trying something and getting it wrong is part of growing, not something to be afraid of." She also observed the school's quick response to feedback. "The school noticed lunch break felt a bit tight, and the schedule was adjusted almost immediately. That told me the school treats feedback as something to act on rather than just information to collect."

In Ms. Li’s classroom, what she most hopes students take away is 'learning how to learn,' including how to collaborate with others, how to 'disagree well,' and how to work through conflict without losing respect. "If I can energise, empower, and encourage my students in the same the way this school has done for me, I'd expect the same kind of growth and ownership from them."