MOE names Taiwan education devotion award winners

2015/09/15

The winners of this year’s education devotion award were announced Sept. 11 by the Ministry of Education, honoring those who went above and beyond the call of duty in service of the nation’s pupils.

A total of 13 former teachers and school principals beat out 32 of their peers to win the annual award. They will each be honored with a medal, trophy and cash prize of NT$50,000 (US$1,529).

Among the recipients, Zhang Zao is recognized for her selfless contribution to promoting reading among children, especially those in remote areas after retirement.

Zhang, a veteran educator of 40 years and former principal of Chao Xing Elementary School in central Taiwan’s Changhua County, began volunteering long before retirement. She doubled as an instructor for a children’s study group of Chinese classics at a local Buddhist facility for 20-plus years.

After halting official duties in 2010 for cancer treatment, Zhang remained engaged in the field of education by serving as head of a local community college.

Beginning 2012, Zhang initiated a read-along project for children in remote areas. She also works closely with Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, focusing on new immigrant families.

Equally impressive are the contributions of Lin Yi-rong, an ex-teacher at the affiliated elementary school of National Taichung University of Education. She was honored largely for taking a leadership role in promoting education for disadvantaged children.

Since retiring nearly 10 years ago, Lin and her husband have run after-school tutorials for disadvantaged students and cultivated volunteer instructors through collaboration with NTUE.

The awards will be presented as part of an MOE ceremony Sept. 25 in Taipei City.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=236567&ctNode=2194&mp=9)