Written by Yinni Sung
Translated by DH.B. Qin
Edited by Adriana DiBenedetto
On Friday, April 18, 2025, just before Easter weekend, students in several Austin-area school districts welcomed a well-earned three-day break. For their devoted educators and school staff, however, the break offered a different kind of opportunity: One of growth and renewed commitment through professional development workshops designed to enrich their teaching efforts and empower student success.
Overton Elementary School, a longtime partner of Tzu Chi USA’s Austin Service Center, held its own professional development day on the same occasion. And so, volunteers Betty Pu, Sofia Tsai, Yinni Sung, Peiwen Chang, and Chiajung Li, joined by Tzu Chi Collegiate Association members, Rick, Reina Wan, and Bill Geng, seized the opportunity to return to the familiar campus. Together, they prepared a table full of vegetarian dishes as a gesture of gratitude to the school’s teachers.
Gratitude in Action: Tzu Chi’s Vegetarian Cuisine
The table was laden with fragrant rice, stir-fried noodles, spicy tofu, and stir-fried seasonal vegetables, along with a selection of desserts and fresh fruit. Warm, soothing black tea and cold-brewed teas were also served. This was more than just a delicious lunch; it was a heartfelt gesture of appreciation and respect from Tzu Chi volunteers to the educators.
Sharing Educational Philosophy
This year’s appreciation luncheon took a slightly different direction. As a video on Tzu Chi’s work in the Austin community played on the large screen, revealing touching moments of care and compassion from across their community, volunteers joined teachers at their tables. They listened patiently as teachers shared their joys and challenges, exchanging heartfelt stories and connecting on a personal level. Volunteers also introduced Tzu Chi’s educational philosophy, offering a sense of quiet warmth and support to teachers in their busy routines.
During their conversations with Mr. Ney, volunteers learned that he has been an educator for approximately 16 years and has witnessed many changes in the education system. The shift to remote learning after the pandemic and ongoing adjustments in teaching methods, among other concerns, have brought teachers unprecedented pressure. Ney expressed that 95% of his students come from economically disadvantaged families with limited resources. In particular, the gap in English reading comprehension has grown wider, making teaching even more challenging — and perhaps more vital.
The teachers expressed gratitude for the Tzu Chi Collegiate Association volunteers, who gave their time after school every Friday to help with math tutoring. They also appreciated the Austin Service Center for organizing vegetarian appreciation luncheons, environmental workshops, and Jing Si tea ceremony classes. These activities provided children with the opportunity to experience new cultures amidst their busy studies, while fostering respect and gratitude.
Cultivating Education with Kindness
The appreciation lunch concluded in a warm and joyful atmosphere. As Tzu Chi volunteers bid farewell to the school staff, all were filled with anticipation for their next reunion, when they could once again collaborate to create a better learning environment for the children.
The appreciation lunch concluded in a warm and joyful atmosphere. As Tzu Chi volunteers bid farewell to the school staff, all were filled with anticipation for their next reunion, when they could once again collaborate to create a better learning environment for the children.
In this era of technological advancement, and its emerging impacts on both concentration and reading comprehension, Tzu Chi volunteers deeply understand that education is a path that requires the collective efforts of society as a whole. Moving ever onward, volunteers will continue to support educators with kindness and action as they accompany students on their first steps in their life’s journey.
