Roots Shoots Blooms

“My name is Junard, and I am a PE teacher. I have taught for 14 years, specializing in volleyball and archery.” His introductions were short and brief. He smiled as he spoke, his eyes and the sweat on his forehead glimmered. 

Roots:

“My PE teacher inspired me in primary school. He was a great teacher… a great athlete as well, showing expertise in a lot of sports. I wanted to be like him. When I got to university, I took a degree in education, majoring in physical education.” 

From being a dream to reality, Mr. Junard’s journey of becoming a PE teacher was not particularly smooth. 

“My upbringing was quite harsh; we weren’t rich. Since a young age, I had to study, and at the same time do work.” He did not want to burden the family: “At the time, my elder brother was also studying at university.”

“I wanted to be an independent person. From grade 11 until I graduated from college, I spent time studying while working. One of my jobs was working at a restaurant from 8 pm to 10 pm during weekdays. On Saturdays, I taught dance. It was part of my survival.”

“It was worth it,” he concluded with determination, after looking back at the hard times. 

“My emotional and social stability at that time was also in a state of struggle. I was independent, meaning that I did not have time to spend with my friends or my family.” Working and studying consumed most of his days. 

“It was hard. Sometimes I needed someone to talk to…” He paused, perhaps immersed in memories of his past. “But here I am now,” he said optimistically, like a proud traveler who witnessed sunrise after trekking through dark caves. 

“I took these (hardships), as experiences that built me up as a person.”

Shoots:

“There are three reasons (why I came to China).”

“China is a great country for teachers, especially expat teachers. When it comes to benefits and salaries, China is the best compared to other countries around the world.”

“When I was in high school, I was super curious about China.” “This is true,” he added, noticing my disbelief. “I was dreaming that time to visiting the Great Wall and Shanghai Tower in person,” these were places that appeared in his textbooks. The first thing that he did after coming to China in 2019 was to see the Great Wall in person: “It was a dream come true.”

“China is also very close to my home country. I won’t be very far from my family. The cultural similarities between my home country and China made China feel like my second home. I don’t miss home that much.”

“YK Pao is the first high school that I taught at after arriving in China. It is very memorable for me, largely because of the students. The level of closeness between my students and me is different from any other school that I taught at. High school students have more mature thinking, and they are willing to develop themselves. I feel willing to share my knowledge because my students are all attentive and motivated.”

Teaching IGCSE was particularly memorable for him. “I have learned a lot, to be honest. I had closer bonds with my IGCSE students than my core PE students, perhaps because I meet them three, or four times a week. This developed our bonds. I appreciate them. They don’t view me as a teacher but as a friend and mentor.”

“Every time I think about it, I feel sad that I cannot see you guys grow until you graduate. But at the same time, I am very happy to move on this journey that develops me as a teacher.”

"Teaching at YK Pao allowed me to see many alternative possibilities in teaching. Xueyuan competitions and IGCSE curricula are something that I did not have much experience with before. The most impactful insight I have gained is engagement with students. YK Pao students are well-rounded, bright, and at the same time, they are curious. They want to go deep with their knowledge beyond the curriculum. This, I am amazed at."

Blooms:

“I had this motto as a PE teacher: to influence and make my students lifelong learners. I taught primary, middle, and high school students throughout my career; this fundamental goal never changed.”

“I want them to practice and engage in sports as much as possible, develop their skills in sports, discipline as student-athletes, and also obtain the confidence that they can achieve anything despite challenges.”

“I wish to teach students how to develop themselves physically, emotionally, socially, and mentally. Whether it's just physical education or varsity sports.” He laughed.