This is a piece of wisdom shared with me by a former colleague whom I found very warm.
She's now a tuition center teacher, and I often see her sharing about her work—constantly "thanking her boss, praising her boss"—which made me curious about how much she loves her job.
Her working hours are from 11:30 AM to 7:30 PM. Sometimes when parents pick up their children late from work, she also has to stay late.
Building a Good Workplace
Although she works overtime, and young students occasionally have emotional or behavioral issues, her colleagues don't complain. They all stay late together, and help each other when needed. This unity makes her feel proud. In an era when everyone criticizes their bosses, she praises hers as wonderful.
Because when issues arise, her boss doesn't avoid responsibility—instead, he takes the arrows for the team. Everyone is more willing to give their all for such a good workplace.
Self-Made Teaching Props
What moved me most was how, despite her dedicated teaching, she carefully creates course materials herself (see photos). She designs a zodiac book using Word with illustrations and explanations for each sign, prints it out as a small booklet, and pairs it with zodiac cards she bought to teach her students thoughtfully.
What surprised me was that the zodiac book comes in two versions—one for lower grades and one for upper grades. She uses everyday language to teach about the "Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches." Of course, the upper-grade version goes deeper, teaching idioms related to each zodiac sign.
These materials aren't something her boss asked her to make—she creates them on her own time. From brainstorming the theme to organizing content, designing the layout, and printing, she does it all herself.
"Looking back, it was tiring, but with these colleagues, it doesn't feel hard at all," she says. For her, creating extra materials so children can learn more, working with colleagues toward the same goal, and seeing the children's growth is her greatest happiness and fortune.
Stop Complaining, Change Your Attitude to Transform Your Environment
For the same task, some complain about giving too much, while others focus on physical and mental exhaustion. But the truth is: "When you willingly give, you receive proportional fulfillment"—not by filling your life with complaints.
When you're unhappy, shift your thinking. Reflect on what you've gained. Consider how your small actions can improve your workplace environment. Take initiative to help and create the workplace you want.
Willingness to give, willingness to gain.
