Principal brings big changes to small school in Anhui

When principal Hong Liu walks around the campus of Zhenlong Primary School in Guangde, Anhui province, many students greet her in English without hesitation.

During a recent visit to the school, China Daily reporters found that some kids called her Teacher Hong or Miss Hong, but more of them preferred "Hi, Apple".

Some kids were rushing to the sports ground for a kung fu class, while others were heading to a small zoo on campus.

"I know Apple sounds silly as a name, but it might be the easiest one for the kids to remember," said Hong, who joined the school as an English teacher in 2007. She became principal in 2018.

Although it is called a city, Guangde is really a county-level region governed by Xuancheng city. With around 1,000 students, Zhenlong is just a small school in a small place in Hong's eyes.

"But a small school can also do big things, right?" Hong said.

In a recent interview carried out in English, she said proudly that she had branded the school with four major characteristics — filial piety, martial arts heritage, English teaching and equestrian sports.

After her college graduation, Hong could have followed the path of many classmates to jobs in big cities. But she decided to return to her hometown.

In the latest episode of Girl City, a video series by China Daily focusing on women, Hong tells stories about the school and the students.

"I wanted to pass on something good to the next generation and only by becoming a teacher could I fulfill this aspiration," she said.

"As educators, we can only influence souls with our souls and shape other souls with our souls."