Written by Ching Shih and Hsin Yi Lee
Translated by H.B. Qin
Edited by Ida Eva Zielinska
On the morning of Saturday, August 16, 2025, a bustling scene unfolded at Tzu Chi USA’s Walnut Education Campus. Parents and their children arrived in a steady stream of vehicles, then packed the gymnasium. They came to attend the Tzu Chi Academy Walnut’s new school year opening ceremony. For the first time, the number of students has surpassed 200, with 220 students enrolled in 2025. Approximately 180 parents gathered for this opening ceremony.
Welcoming the New School Year
The ceremony opened with remarks from James Chen, Deputy CEO of Tzu Chi USA. He expressed gratitude for parents’ trust and emphasized that Tzu Chi Academy Walnut is not merely a weekend Chinese language school but a vital educational platform for passing on Tzu Chi’s humanistic spirit. He also welcomed new students and parents to the Tzu Chi family.
Tzu Chi Academy Walnut Principal Kevin Chang then took the stage to share the school’s educational philosophy. He explained that the academy places equal emphasis on character education and cultural heritage in addition to language learning. “We hope children can grow in a balanced way, developing both language skills and character. We also integrate Chinese and American cultures and festivals into our curriculum, allowing education to take root not only in the classroom but also in the home.” Principal Chang introduced each homeroom teacher, highlighting the academy’s professional and warm teaching team.
Championing Humanistic Education
Yenyu Wang, the sixth-grade teacher, delivered remarks on behalf of the Tzu Chi Academy Walnut faculty and highlighted Tzu Chi’s commitment to humanistic education. “What makes Tzu Chi unique is nurturing gratitude, respect, and love in children from a young age. Beyond Chinese language instruction, we place greater emphasis on character development. With over 200 new students joining this year, I hope word-of-mouth will bring even more children to experience our humanistic education.”
Peichun Chen, the Chinese Zhuyin class teacher, shared her goals for the year. She plans to incorporate more interactive activities, such as drawing and performances, into her lessons so children can learn Chinese while having fun.
In humanities courses, we involve children in practical activities like recycling and filial piety etiquette, helping them integrate culture and ethics into daily life.
During the event, volunteer host Sharon Chu invited two students to demonstrate the posture and spirit expected when wearing the Tzu Chi Academy uniform, highlighting the essence of humanistic education. Principal Kevin Chang took the opportunity to promote environmental awareness and to encourage the integration of moral education into daily life.
Parents Affirm the School’s Principles
Many parents also voiced high expectations for their children’s learning. “We chose Tzu Chi so that, beyond learning Chinese, our child would also receive character education, learning to respect teachers and uphold moral principles, to be filial toward parents and respectful to teachers, and to develop better daily habits,” one of the parents, Feng Yi Chang, said.
Her husband, Mengchie Lin, added, “Children raised in America are easily influenced by Western culture and may not understand respect or self-restraint. But Tzu Chi’s education can remind children to be polite and compassionate when interacting with others, and to help others.” The couple agreed that Tzu Chi’s educational philosophy aligns with their family values and helps their child find a balance between Eastern and Western cultures.
From Ceremony to Classrooms
After the ceremony, homeroom teachers led the younger students to their classrooms to officially begin the new school year. Parents entered first to learn about the year’s curriculum and plans, strengthening their connection to the school. Older students remained in the gymnasium to receive teacher assignments.
In each classroom, teachers set the tone. In one, Huiting Li greeted children warmly. In another, Peishan Li introduced phonetic symbols. Nearby, Meihua Pan guided learning with humor. Peichun Chen asked students to practice Chinese character writing and invited parents to record videos for home practice. Yungtung Lin called each child by name to build connections. The campus was filled with joy and anticipation about the learning that would unfold this academic year.
For the 2025 academic year, the opening ceremony concluded in a warm, enthusiastic atmosphere. Two hundred twenty students began the new school year, and about 180 parents joined the day’s events, while teachers and volunteers accompanied students with a humanistic spirit.
As teacher Yenyu Wang stated, Tzu Chi’s approach emphasizes not only Chinese language learning but also character development. Tzu Chi Academy Walnut will continue to advance its philosophy of balancing language learning and humanistic culture through the collective efforts of teachers, volunteers, and parents, supporting joyful learning and holistic growth.
Second-language learning and humanistic education can go hand in hand seamlessly. Tzu Chi Academies across the United States provide nurturing environments where students grow in both language acquisition and character development. It’s a wonderful opportunity for children and parents alike, who can enjoy the warm, familial atmosphere at the schools.
