Chung Tian Chinese School Vice Principal Honored with Overseas Excellent Teaching Award

On the 12th of August, Chung Tian Chinese School was filled with excitement as news broke that Chung Tian Chinese School Vice Principal, Hsiu-Mei Hsu, had been awarded the prestigious 6th Overseas Excellent Teaching Award by the Republic of China (Taiwan).

This esteemed accolade, presented by the Overseas Compatriot Culture and Education Foundation, recognizes outstanding educators who have made significant contributions to Chinese language education in overseas communities. The competition this year was particularly rigorous, with over a hundred candidates from five continents vying for the honor. After a stringent selection process, including in-depth reviews and timed online interviews, only eight educators worldwide were chosen – with Ms. Hsu being the sole recipient from Oceania.

Ms. Hsu’s dedication to Chinese language education and her commitment to the “Three Acts of Goodness” teaching philosophy have set her apart in the field. Her selection for this award is a testament to her years of tireless work and the positive impact she has made on countless students.

The award ceremony is scheduled for the 6th of October in Taipei, Taiwan. As news of Ms.  Hsu's achievement spreads, the entire Fo Guang Shan community joins in celebrating this well-deserved recognition.

This prestigious award not only honors Ms. Hsu’s individual accomplishments but also highlights the excellence of Chung Tian Chinese School and its vital role in promoting Chinese language and culture in Queensland.

“I long to return to our main temple, award in hand, to express my heartfelt gratitude to our revered teacher, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan,” Ms. Hsu shared. “I am deeply grateful to Venerable Master Hsing Yun for establishing a Humanistic temple with true faith.”

Reflecting on the journey to this achievement, Ms. Hsu recounted the whirlwind process that began in early May when she was nominated to represent Chung Tian Chinese School for the Overseas Excellent Teaching Award. She acknowledged, “Compiling over 30 years of teaching materials and accolades within a month was a considerable undertaking.”

Ms. Hsu shared a personal reflection, saying, "Our family's immigration journey is deeply intertwined with Chung Tian Chinese School. It's a story that has taken shape within the walls of Chung Tian Temple." She spoke warmly of the supportive environment that fostered her success. "The temple truly embodies the spirit of a ‘joyful and harmonious family.’ With the unwavering support of my respected fellow practitioner, Yeung Sih-bong, and our two ambitious and filial sons, I have been able to dedicate myself wholeheartedly to the school, free from worry."

Ms. Hsu’s journey with Fo Guang Shan began shortly after her immigration to Australia in 1991. Since 1992, she has dedicated herself to fulfilling Venerable Master Hsing Yun's teachings, playing a pivotal role in several key initiatives. She oversaw educational programs at the Chung Tian Buddhist Temple, founded the Gold Coast branch of Chung Tian Chinese School, assisted with the establishment of a new campus in Brisbane’s West End, and managed academic affairs and administration following the school’s relocation to Chung Tian Temple.

As one of the driving forces behind Chung Tian Chinese School’s development, Ms. Hsu has consistently worked to enhance the quality of education. While maintaining a strong focus on Chinese language instruction as the cornerstone of the curriculum, she has also embraced a holistic approach to cultural education.

Under the guidance of former principal Venerable Yi Lai, Ms. Hsu has led her team in creating engaging cultural experiences around traditional festivals. These initiatives include Taiwanese indigenous dance performances, Chinese calligraphy workshops for Spring Festival couplets, a junior lion dance troupe, lantern-making classes, and hands-on lessons in making rice dumplings for Dragon Boat Festival and mooncakes for Mid-Autumn Festival. These activities make Chinese culture tangible and accessible to students, fostering a deeper connection with their heritage.

Moreover, Ms. Hsu ensures that important occasions such as the Double Ninth Festival (honoring the elderly), Teachers’ Day, as well as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are celebrated with special events. These celebrations encourage parental involvement, reinforcing the idea that parents are their children’s primary Chinese language teachers and cultural guides.

In keeping with Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s guidance to “promote Buddhism through culture,” Chung Tian Chinese School thoughtfully creates cultural activities during Buddha’s Birth Day celebrations. The school extends invitations to Australian primary and secondary schools to participate in the first day of festivities, drawing nearly one thousand students annually.

A highlight of these celebrations is the tea culture experience presented by Ms. Hsu and her husband, Mr. Yeung Sih-bong. They introduce visitors to the refined world of Taiwanese high mountain tea, offering a glimpse into this cherished aspect of Chinese culture. Additionally, the couple engages participants in the art of Chinese calligraphy, helping them transcribe their English names into Chinese characters. Each name is carefully chosen to convey auspicious and positive meanings, adding a personal touch to the cultural exchange.

These experiences leave a lasting impression on both visiting students and international guests. The welcoming atmosphere and immersive cultural activities invariably evoke joy and words of gratitude from attendees as they depart. Many participants convey their eagerness to return the following year, a testament to the event's success in fostering cultural appreciation and understanding.

Abbess Venerable Man Wang of Chung Tian Temple commends Vice Principal Hsiu-Mei Hsu for her unwavering dedication to education over the past 32 years, who has remained true to her passion for teaching.

Ms. Hsu’s contributions extend beyond her own classroom. She has played a crucial role in recruiting and nurturing outstanding teachers, always keeping the welfare of students at the forefront of her efforts. Her approach to education emphasizes the “Three Acts of Goodness” philosophy, while also recognizing the importance of strengthening parent-child relationships.

Chung Tian Chinese School has emerged as a beacon for Chinese language education within the community. It plays a crucial role in providing language instruction to children from immigrant families and has co-organized the Queensland Chinese language proficiency test for many years. Additionally, the school partners with local Australian schools to share traditional Chinese culture and the “Three Acts of Goodness and Four Givings” philosophy. As a result, the Australian government and community have come to recognize and appreciate the positive influence of Chinese culture and values.

Ms. Hsiu-Mei Hsu’s long-term dedication to Chung Tian Chinese School has cultivated numerous positive relationships. During the award selection process, she received support from various entities, including the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brisbane, the Taiwan Center, state MP Peter Russo, federal MP Graham Perrett, and Ms. Lisa Starmer (principal of a local school with 2,500 students). All of these supporters wrote recommendation letters on her behalf.

“I hope that all overseas Chinese immigrants can establish their roots while remembering their origins. Chinese language teaching is crucial for the second generation to flourish,” says Ms. Hsu. Inspired by Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s teaching that “there is always a way forward,” she remains dedicated to her work even after receiving the award. She focuses on improving student learning outcomes, organizing parenting workshops, and training teachers. Her tireless efforts are aimed at instilling the seeds of Chinese culture and the “Three Acts of Goodness and Four Givings” philosophy in overseas children.