A teacher's moving story

Cheng also dug into her own pocket to buy audiovisual equipment, printers and computers and have campus radio installed in every classroom, in order to give students a better learning experience.

"I can't remember how much money she spent before and after, but she spent her salary buying whatever the school lacked," says Tan Zhifeng, Cheng's husband.

He had been supportive of Cheng's choice, and has also served as a rural teacher in Poyang over the years.

"We met each other in college and I was moved by her courage and determination," Tan Zhifeng says.

To broaden the range of education available to the students, Cheng and the other teachers took the initiative to learn music, sports and art courses online and then impart that knowledge to the students.

She also set up an open campus day and invited parents to sit in on classes every Tuesday in a bid to rebuild their confidence in the school.

Those efforts paid off, as about 120 students are now sitting in the once-deserted classrooms.

"The school wouldn't have survived without her," says Zhang Jianmin, a local parent.

"We are grateful for what she has done for us," Zhang adds.

As things got back on the right track at Beitang Primary School, Cheng's mission to help more rural children secure a good education took her to Siwanghu Primary School. She took up the position of headmistress at the school, which sits on a small island in the middle of Poyang Lake.

More than 90 percent of the 500 students are from the families of local fishermen, and had a haphazard and sluggish approach to learning.

To whip up enthusiasm for study among the kids, Chang tapped into local fishing culture and taught students related songs, dances and drums.

"It's also a good way for them to show their talent," she says.

Moreover, she proposed the establishment of a school canteen that offers scientifically balanced diet, so the children don't have to trek back home and rush through simple meals.

All of her contributions to education in Poyang saw her named as a March 8 Red Banner Pacesetter by the All-China Women's Federation in 2020. The title is a national honor for outstanding Chinese women.

Her different teaching experiences in multiple rural schools have also shown Cheng that rural children need help from more people like her.

"We should let the light in ourselves shine on more people, and help them to see further and dream bigger," she says.