Zhuang Fengming, director of National Taitung High School, won the Education Love Elite Teacher Award for guarding students’ growth for 29 years

Having been deeply involved in the education field for many years, and protecting students with education expertise, sports training and life companionship, National Taitung High School Director Zhuang Fengming received the "15th Education Love Elite Award" in recognition of his long-term investment in student companionship, sports talent cultivation, indigenous education and life education.

Zhuang Fengming has been engaged in education for 29 years and has served as a tutor, special education team leader, teaching team leader, trial team leader and library director. He has also served as a track and field team coach for a long time, and has served as the national team coach for many times, participating in international events such as the Asian U18 Youth Track and Field Championships and the Asian Youth Olympic Games. From the classroom to the track and field, he always adheres to the belief that "education is not about pursuing temporary results, but about accompanying children on a long and steady journey."

During my years of coaching, there was once a promising javelin thrower whose elbow injury worsened before an important international event, and he was faced with the decision of whether to continue competing. Faced with external expectations and performance pressure, Director Zhuang Fengming still insisted on putting students' health first and suggested suspending the game to receive treatment because he believed that educators protect students' lives, not the results of a game. During the rehabilitation period, he continued to accompany him for medical treatment and assist in rehabilitation planning. In the end, the student successfully returned to the playing field and was selected for the national team again.

Zhuang Fengming believes that medals and rankings are not the end of education. What is really important is that students learn self-discipline, responsibility, reflection and the ability to face setbacks through sports. As an educator of tribal origin, he has long been concerned about the cultural identity of indigenous students. Through cultural exploration, life story writing and learning sharing, he guides students to understand their own culture and ethnic history. He often encourages students to not forget where they come from when going out into the world, and to move forward with culture and confidence.

Zhuang Fengming believes that teachers and coaches are not the protagonists in the center of the stage, but the driving forces behind the scenes that accompany children's growth. Emphasizing that "education is a long-distance race," he will continue to accompany, guide and let go at the right time in the future, accompanying more Taitung children to find their own direction and bravely move into a wider world.