An interview with Sister Helen Chen, Yu-Pin

Sister told A-Jay, “From tomorrow, you are responsible for this flower bed
and need to water those flowers. Don't forget and be lazy!”
Then A-Jay does his duty to water those flowers everyday.

One day, it was raining heavily;
we saw a boy who wore a raincoat was watering flowers in the garden.
His persistence looked especially lonely in the heavy rain and also let us feel worried.

  He is so responsible, serious, and persistent.
If you give him chances to learn,
he will be able to do as best as we do.

　　At the moment, as Sister Helen Chen, Yu-Pin was depicting the history, it was like we went back to the past and Sister Chen's eyes were shining. Sister Chen took a sip and we can feel that she was still touched by the past. I remembered that in the initial stage of Class Love, everything was in a mess because teaching materials were not abundant. Therefore, they didn't know how to get start and arrange everything. Sister Chen asked a sister who studies in America and was a faculty in Guang-Ren Catholic Elementary School in Taipei how to guide those special students and how to plan lessons. After learning teaching approaches, she found that students of Yu Jen Elementary School were much more serious than those discussed by the sister of Guang-Ren Catholic Elementary School.

　　She put her cup and said, “at that time, every day I had to prepared for what I saw in the class. There were too many things which I wanted to give our students. However, because my experience was not enough, I often finished instruction in half hour. Miss Tsai and I had the same feeling. In the light of this situation, we needed to prepare for three textbook and when students felt bored, we would change the material. This is called repeated teaching method.” Sister Chen signed and said, “recalling the past, I felt that students are getting more and more serious than before.” Miss Tsai said, “at that time, students who needed our help were better than those who are the best now.” The atmosphere is getting relaxed suddenly. Sister Chen smiled and said, “Before we would take students to go out together twice a year, including climbing, walking, and going adventuring. Every time everyone felt energetic and was full of hope after coming back. Nature washes their tiredness.”

　　Sister kept silence for a while and said, “In the past, because people in our country were not familiar with special education which was not popular, our funding was hard to apply and members of Parliament thought that special education was not worthwhile. Once a charity organization donated materials to us but they left after taking pictures for reputation. Sister rejected the help from the organization for students’ private and dignity. It is true that special education needs the support of our government. Our goal is to not only nurture our children but also teach them to give back what they have learned to our society. And let people confirm their value.

　　I looked at the 70-year-old sister walked steadily and kept sharing her experience with Miss Tsai because they have experienced many things together. As for me, I kept writing down every word spoken by Sister Chen and hoped that everyone can understand the history through my correct and detailed descriptions. She wanted us to convey the message to students’ parents, “teaching children can keep people beautiful and young.” That's true. I can feel this from Sister Chen. It is an energy coming from inner to outer and it can change your looking. Sister Chen said happily, “Those students are the people who are content with what they have, like to share feelings with others, are passion and considerate, are honest to people and everything, and are kind to others.” Some of them know that they have to pray first before having meals. Some of them know that if they earn 6,000 NT dollars, they will give 1,000 NT dollars to their mother to go to hair salon for relaxing. Most of students do not do this. People said, “We would rather argue with smart people than stupid people.” This shows discrimination to those special children. In light of the religious spirit and the mission, Sister Chen has changed people's stereotyped impression of special children and sets a good example to generations.

An interview with Alumnus of Yu Jen Elementary School

　　Sixth grade is an important period in which a child will change from a childish person to a more mature and independent person. As for special students’ parents, this period is especially important. Their children are going to take the first step to the society and learn much more things. Can they have a good start? Can they have a good care? They are always worried about these problems. I am a special students’ sister and my brother who suffers from Down's syndrome has studied in Class Love of Yu Jen Elementary School for six years and he is a 8^th grade student now.

　　Although I never contact the school immediately, I can feel warm and considerate Yu Jen through my brother. Interaction between teachers, parents, and students is pretty good. Some mothers, sisters, and the principal of Yu Jen look like they are real sisters while talking. The school always invites parents to attend the events held by them. When children have learning problems, teachers will discuss with students’ family. Even though students graduated, teachers still concern about those students by phone. My brother grew up under this kind of environment, so he grew up happily.

　　Teachers’ love and efforts not only show in the school but also outside the school—after my brother graduated from Yu Jen Elementary School, the students’ parents and teachers of Class Love always keep in touch. In this and last year, they travelled to Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia together during summer and winter vacation. At that time, the principal guided the group herself and invited Fathers to take care of boys. Moreover, a Sister, who has nurse certificate, speaks many languages, and has abundant experience of traveling abroad, was invited to travel with us. Thanks to those people's efforts, patience, and planning, everyone can relax and enjoy travelling to different countries and had a good memory.

　　I believe that Yu Jen Elementary School can give children knowledge and happy with the considerate group and nurture many elites. Happy Birthday to Yu Jen Elementary School and Happy 40^th Anniversary!

Activity Close-up Shots

Make use of a variety of art materials

Draw with watercolor

Go to Taichung city hall to sing Christmas songs

Mother I love you. Happy Mother's Day!

 A Fun Halloween event

Watch space theater

 Eat Buffet

 Practice how to use fork

 Experience camping

 Alumni came back to Yu Jen Elementary School