Serving God with education—Interview with Principal Li Liu Guimei

/ Encountering God in the field of education /

Photo courtesy/Li Liu Guimei

▲James Leitch Primary School celebrated the 2015 Chinese New Year. Li Liu Guimei (middle) takes a group photo with students.

After many first-generation Chinese immigrated overseas, they were often limited by language, cultural and other barriers and never dreamed of entering mainstream society and holding important positions. Mary Liu Lee, who is from Taiwan, immigrated to the United States from Taiwan with her husband, Li Tianxiang, who was a missionary at the time. When she first arrived in North America as a young woman, she was disappointed and sad because she couldn't adapt. Later, under the guidance of God, she determined to welcome every day with joy no matter what the circumstances were, and to become a channel of God's blessings. A few years later, she entered a public elementary school as a teacher and had the courage to take on important responsibilities. In March 2011, she became the principal of the well-known James Leitch Elementary School in Fremont, Northern California, leading the mostly white faculty and injecting divinity into American public education. Grant her vision and influence.

Mentor broadens life horizons

Li Liu Guimei grew up in a simple worker-peasant family in Meinong, southern Taiwan. Her parents tried their best to raise their seven daughters and their only son. Although they had high expectations for their sons, they adopted a natural attitude towards the development of their daughters and did not Deliberately guide and cultivate.

"In this life, the person who has the deepest influence on me is my teacher." When she was studying at Kaohsiung Girls' High School, Li Liu Guimei met a Chinese liberal arts teacher who influenced the direction of her life. Teacher Zhuang is a Christian who attaches great importance to the inheritance of life. He often shares life testimonies with students and encourages them to read good books. During high school, Li Liu Guimei was exposed to "Desert Sweet Spring", "Son of Man", and Xing Linzi's prose under the guidance of her teacher. Teacher Zhuang opened up her life horizons, and she determined to become a mentor who affects life in the future.

After graduating from high school, Li Liu Guimei was admitted to National Taiwan Normal University, majoring in education and minoring in English. Since she was a child, her life goal has been to study, advance to higher education, get ahead, and please the patriarchal elders. However, after becoming a freshman at a first-class university, she felt an indescribable emptiness in her heart, and often asked herself: What is life? meaning? Why do people live?

▲Family portrait. Li Liu Guimei (third from left) and her husband Li Tianxiang (second from left), eldest daughter Natalie (first from left), and second daughter Rebekah (first from right).

Be a blessing to the family

In order to improve her English skills, she accepted an invitation from her roommate to participate in an English Bible study class led by a missionary from the Inland Mission. The roommate exuded an enviable atmosphere of joy, and the missionaries' uncompromising efforts moved her even more. Why are missionaries willing to give up their high-paying jobs and comfortable lives in the United States, travel across the ocean, and quietly spend the best time of their lives on unfamiliar islands? Why are they so satisfied and happy? Li Liu Guimei is eager to know the reason.

When she was growing up, every time she saw Christians standing on the roadside holding placards that read John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that everyone who believes in Him may They will not perish but have eternal life.” She always thought those people were stupid. However, one year after joining the Bible study class, she read this verse one day and was deeply touched in her heart. She prayed to God for the first time in her life: "If you are really God, can you enter my heart and change me so that I will no longer be empty and proud?"

The sudden death of a cousin prompted her to decide to be baptized and become a Christian. Her cousin believed in the Lord when he was in college and became the first Christian in the family. This is a very unfilial act for a family that firmly believes in traditional folk beliefs, and it is difficult for the elders to accept it. Later, her cousin died in a car accident, and many church members went south to attend the funeral and tell her about her cousin's missed and beautiful character.

Her uncle, the cousin's father, was moved by the love of church members. Not only did he no longer oppose Christianity, he even said that his son who died young was a blessing to the family. The death of her cousin had a great impact on Li Liu Guimei. She decided to follow her cousin's example and become a blessing to the whole family.

▲Li Tianxiang, Li Liuguimei and their grandson Jethro.

Take a break from teaching and pursue a career abroad

After graduating from Normal University, she taught at Kaohsiung Lingya Junior High School, serving as an English, Chinese, and psychological counselor. At that time, the school divided students into "gifted classes", "ordinary classes" and "cattle classes" based on their academic performance. Students in the "cowherding class" are often labeled as playful, stupid, and not working hard, and are looked down upon by their teachers, classmates, and even themselves. This practice of grading students made Li Liuguimei very confused and disappointed.

She spends a lot of time building relationships with the children in the "Cow Herding Class", listening to their voices and designing teaching materials based on their needs. The children developed a good relationship with her and often crowded into the tutoring room after class to tell her about their parents' unknown pains such as drug abuse, leaving home, and even domestic violence. While growing up with these children, she found that she was particularly burdened by children with special needs, such as autism, learning disabilities, and ADHD.

While teaching at Lingya Junior High School, she met and fell in love with Li Tianxiang, a missionary who served in the Gospel Boat, and started a family together. In 1982, Li Tianxiang decided to study theology in the United States, and Li Liu Guimei resigned from his teaching position and traveled across the ocean with her husband. After going to the United States, Li Tianxiang studied for a Master of Divinity at the seminary, while she majored in Christian education. In order to compare the similarities and differences between public school education and Christian education in the United States, she studied for a master's degree in education at California State University, East Bay, after graduating from the seminary.

Li Liu Guimei recalled that although she majored in English in college and worked as a junior high school English teacher, in the first two years after arriving in the United States, the differences in language and culture, the longing for her hometown and relatives, and financial needs were still overwhelming. Her heart was heavy.

Although she was depressed, she still insisted on praying, singing hymns, and reading the Bible every day. At that time, Rev. Contento, the missionary of the OMF missionary agency, often cared for and encouraged the couple. In addition, she often listened to the radio program hosted by the pastor Chuck Swindoll, who was the president of Dallas Seminary at the time. Pastor Chuck encouraged the audience to "rejoice!" with verse 4 of Philippians Chapter 4. This sharing deeply touched Li Liu Guimei, and she decided not to be depressed because of leaving her hometown, but to always rejoice by faith.

Invest in mainstream education in the United States

When Li Liu Guimei moved to Northern California, Chinese immigrants were still a minority. It was not easy for first-generation immigrants to enter mainstream schools in the United States as teachers. However, she was inspired by a sermon by James Dobson (Focus on the Family) who encouraged Christians to devote themselves to education, be light and salt in the world, and influence the lives of the next generation. God opened her horizons through that sermon and called her to boldly enter the mainstream education system in the United States. Despite the difficulties, she decided to answer the call and move forward.

In 1992, Forest Park Elementary School in Fremont established a Chinese-English bilingual education course. Li Liuguimei, who had already obtained the teacher qualification step by step, successfully obtained the teaching position and became the first Chinese-English bilingual teacher in the school district and served as the convener.

Due to the strong support of the principal, Chinese-English bilingual education has been expanded year by year in the school, and the number of bilingual teachers with Chinese faces in the school has also increased day by day. Unexpectedly, this has caused a backlash from some mainstream teachers.

Some teachers are worried that bilingual teachers will threaten their positions, and some teachers believe that since children grow up in the United States, they only need to learn English well in primary school. In addition, because Chinese parents often generously donate computers, books, etc. to bilingual classes, bilingual classes have richer resources than other classes, which has also aroused criticism and jealousy from some teachers. After the original principal retired, the successor often sarcastically denied the value of bilingual education, which made the situation of bilingual class teachers even more difficult. Li Liu Guimei, who served as the convener, was under heavy pressure.

During those days, the scripture in Isaiah 40:31: "But those who wait for the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint." gave her a lot. Great comfort and strength.

After a period of continuous prayer, she gradually came up with a new blueprint for the future: "Enter a regular class to teach, go deep into mainstream education in the United States, and learn to become an educational leader." In order to achieve her goal, she returned to school to obtain a principal certificate, and applied to enter the Served as a regular class teacher in an elementary school with bilingual education.

Served as a class teacher in a public elementary school

After leaving the bilingual teaching position, Li Liu Guimei first taught at Weibel Elementary School for one year. The then principal, Ms. Bailey, had a diligent, determined but kind and friendly work attitude, which became Li Liu Guimei's role model. She prayed to God: She hoped that one day she could become a principal who was both warm and affectionate as well as firm and capable.

The following year, she transferred to Gomes Elementary School in the same school district as a fourth and fifth grade teacher. During the four and a half years of teaching in Gomes, she got to know many Christian parents who cared about her and often prayed for her. There are many Chinese students in this school, but the teachers are almost all white. When the Chinese parents see a Chinese teacher in the school who speaks the same language and race as them, most of them have great respect and trust for Li Liu Guimei.

Li Liu Guimei cared very much about children with special needs when she was in Taiwan. After teaching at Gomes, she accepted many children with autism, selective aphasia, ADHD, etc. who had been rejected by other teachers into her class. She truly loved them. These children are encouraged to develop the plans and talents God has in them. A girl who has entered college once told Li Liu Guimei that she has never forgotten the past when Li Liu Guimei invited all the students to "camp" in the classroom to build friendship and teamwork spirit.

At that time, the school did not have a vice-principal. Instead of underestimating Li Liu Guimei’s abilities because of her ethnic background, the principal and secretary also entrusted her with important responsibilities and regarded her as the vice principal. When the principal was away, Li Liu Guimei often took care of school affairs on her behalf. These job qualifications It also laid a solid foundation for Li Liu Guimei to serve as principal in the future.

▲The community newspaper Tri-City Voice reported on the 2013 James Leitch Elementary School Multicultural Festival. The picture on the right shows Li Liu Guimei taking a photo with Indian students wearing traditional Indian clothes.

Become an educational leader

In March 2011, the position of principal of the famous James Leitch Elementary School in Fremont became vacant. Fremont School District Superintendent James Morris, who is also a Christian, invited her to meet and encouraged her to apply. He said: "We have so many Chinese students in this city, but yet There is no Chinese principal. Since you have a principal certificate, why don’t you consider seeking the position of principal?” Li Liu Guimei immediately stated that she is a first-generation immigrant, and there are still language and cultural barriers. It may be difficult to lead American-born faculty and staff. The superintendent of the school district reassured her and revealed that he had already done extensive research and that many people highly praised Li Liu Guimei's abilities. He said, "If you look around, there are so many Chinese students in this school district, you should be their role model."

However, she still had doubts in her mind: she was not only a school teacher, but also a church minister. The principal’s work was much more arduous than that of a teacher, and she was worried that she would not be able to take care of church service at the same time. But her husband believed that since God led her to obtain the principal certificate and now invited her to apply for the principal position through the school district superintendent, who is also a Christian, she should have the courage to be used by God.

At that time, she was reading a book about missions. The book mentioned the wish of a missionary: "Let God do great things and do great things for God." She was deeply encouraged because that was also her wish, so she decided to give up If you have any doubts, apply for the principal position.

The day after the school district superintendent talked to her was the deadline to apply for the principal position, and Li Liu Guimei had less than one day to prepare application documents. It was a Friday. She sent out her application in the morning, and in the afternoon she stood out from the many applicants and became one of the eight applicants who got the opportunity to be interviewed. She had the first round of interviews on Monday two days later, and the second interview on Tuesday. Interview round.

She was dissatisfied with her interview performance and believed that she could not express her educational philosophy and work qualifications vividly in English. In addition, she had never formally held an administrative position such as vice principal, and she had no experience in many tasks, such as fund utilization.

During the interview, she answered the questions truthfully and admitted that she didn't understand anything she didn't understand. However, one of the applicants had already served as the principal of another elementary school and had rich experience in running a school. Therefore, Li Liu Guimei thought that she had no chance of winning. Unexpectedly, she was... That day she unexpectedly received the notification of selection.

After becoming the principal, Li Liu Guimei learned one of the reasons why she stood out. The pastor of a church near the school, who was an influential member of the interview committee, told Li Liu Guimei that although she was not the most experienced candidate, he greatly admired her honest character and that when he prayed, he strongly He felt God saying to him: "This is the best candidate!" So he strongly recommended Li Liu Guimei to other committee members.

▲The winning students of the 2015 Art Competition took a group photo with Li Liu Guimei (fourth from right) and office staff (third and first from right).

Not afraid of difficulties and win trust

James Leitch Elementary School is a high-achieving, hard-to-find school in the Fremont School District. Although there are only kindergarten to third grade, each grade has nearly ten classes and nearly a thousand students. Most of the teachers and staff in the school are white. Leading a group of faculty and staff who were born and raised in the United States, Li Liu Guimei was under great psychological pressure, but she had already stepped forward. She decided to rely on God and face the challenge bravely. She prayed, "Lord, please make me a good example. Even if I can't do great things for You in this school, I still want to be a good Christian example."

She knew she was in desperate need of prayer support. In addition to asking church members to pray for her, she also visited Christian teachers in school one by one, inviting them to be her prayer partners, mirrors to her, and often give her advice.

She admitted frankly that although she was the first choice of the appointment committee, she was not the ideal candidate in the eyes of some teachers and parents. After taking office, she inevitably encountered criticisms that made people unable to defend themselves, and some people even waited to see her make fun of her; but she was determined to carry her with her every day. Smiling face, with an optimistic and positive attitude, sincerely caring for teachers, proactively communicating with parents, and understanding the needs of students. Although she is a supervisor, she often humbly seeks advice from the office secretary who has been working at the school for more than 20 years. Over the past few years, although the secretary is her subordinate in terms of position, she has actually become her work mentor and friend.

Psalm 118:8-9: "It is better to trust in the Lord than to rely on men; it is better to trust in the Lord than to trust in princes." This verse always reminded her: as a principal, do not rely on people or power, but rely on the Lord. After becoming the principal, she relied on this verse to overcome many difficulties and criticisms, and gradually gained trust and respect.

Every child is a treasure

James Leitch Primary School has three special education classes, and many students have severe symptoms. After becoming the principal, Li Liu Guimei continued to care for children with special needs and took special care of these children.

One of the Chinese students with severe autism impressed her the most. The student's parents originally thought their child's disease was disgraceful, but Li Liu Guimei spent a lot of time caring for them and encouraging them to actively take their children for treatment. This child made rapid progress and miraculously moved from the severe autism class to the mild autism class. Parents witness their children’s transformation and see that there is still hope at the end of human power, so they are willing to know God and take the initiative to attend church meetings. "This cannot be done by humans. It depends entirely on prayer and the teacher's love." Li Liu Guimei said.

She knew in her heart that to be an impactful educator, she had to leave her students in the hands of God. "My biggest mission in this school is not to pass on knowledge, but to pass on life." Although restricted by regulations, she cannot publicly convey her faith in the school, but when communicating with parents in private, she will always comfort and encourage them with God's love. , let parents know: "God has a special plan in every child's life, and every child is a treasure."

▲On Make a Difference day at James Leitch Primary School in 2015, Li Liu Guimei (in the picture) took a group photo with students and parents who participated in the campus beautification project.

Be the light and salt of education

In recent years, unbiblical concepts, such as homosexuality, have gradually been included in the teaching materials of American public schools. As a public school principal, Li Liu Guimei often has to face choices. She admitted that finding a balance between truth and policy was a difficult problem. In the school district where she served, several high-level decision-makers, principals, and teachers were gay. One of the principals strongly opposed bilingual education and vigorously promoted bilingual education. Li Liu Guimei and the principal often had different opinions during meetings when homosexuality was taught in textbooks. She was willing to accept the principal with God's love, but she could never agree to educational ideas that were contrary to biblical teachings. Therefore, before going to work every day, she would ask God to give her the wisdom to make decisions and to protect her from disputes.

In her first few years as principal, she focused on building relationships and earning trust. In the next stage, she will combine resources to promote parent education and invite Christian experts and parents to share how to educate children's body, mind, and soul, hoping to enrich parents' perspectives and methods of education. In addition, she also plans to cooperate with the church to form a team to serve as light and salt in public schools, helping students in need of special attention for a long time and providing spiritual and spiritual support.

When it comes to her dream after retirement, she hopes to work as a Christian educator in mainland China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand and other places to support and train local Christian teachers, and even set up schools. She said, "Teachers can influence students throughout their lives. I hope to train Christian teachers on how to combine moral education and spiritual education, and serve as salt and light in educational positions to influence students and society."

Interviewee profile
Li Liu Guimei was a teacher at Lingya Junior High School in Kaohsiung, Forest Park Elementary School, and Gomes Elementary School in North America. She is currently the principal of James Leitch Elementary School in Fremont City, North America. Together with her husband, Pastor Li Tianxiang, she serves as a pastor at Three Houses of Christ and is committed to youth ministry.

Reporter profile Zheng Qiongyu, from Taiwan, writer, editor of this magazine's related unit. Love simple and honest life. Now lives in Northern California.