Page 11 - 伊利沙伯中學舊生會湯國華中學

Pegasus Cup Writing Competition 2025-2026 - 4 th

Miss Chao- A Hero in My School
Miss Chao- A Hero in My School

4D Hui Ka Man

Miss Chao is my junior high school teacher, and she is truly a hero in my eyes. She is kind,
patient, and caring—her every word and action have helped me grow step by step. If a hero is
someone who puts the needs of others before their own and has a positive impact on others,
then Miss Chao is my hero.
When I was in eighth grade, I faced a big challenge with my Chinese studies. I couldn't
grasp reading comprehension, and my essays were often messy. Several poor exam results
made me lose confidence. Some teachers tried to help by reminding me of my weaknesses
and urging me to work harder. But Miss Chao was different. One day, she simply handed me
my favorite Lai Chi tea and asked how I was feeling. Tears welled up in my eyes. She didn't
blame or criticize me. In fact, she wasn't obligated to help since she didn't teach Chinese.
Yet she cared deeply and believed I could overcome my difficulties. Unlike other teachers
who added pressure through criticism, Miss Chao recognized that I had lost confidence and
needed emotional support first. She spent twenty minutes with me every afternoon, teaching
me to use an AI chatbot to analyze reading questions and to revise my essays carefully. The
AI chatbot provided non-judgmental feedback, allowing me to practice without fear of failure.
Gradually, I regained my interest in Chinese, and my grades improved. She made me realize
that persistence and the right support can overcome any obstacle.

Miss Chao also cares deeply about our emotional well-being. Once, I had a big fight
with my best friend because of a misunderstanding, and we didn't speak for over a month.
I was sad and couldn't concentrate in class. Miss Chao noticed my distress. That day after
school, she took me for a walk on the quiet playground, and under the fading afternoon sun,
she shared her own friendship stories from when she was young. She told me how she had
lost a friend when she refused to apologize out of pride, and how true friendship requires
communication. Her vulnerability made me feel less alone. Her words made me realize that a
breakup can become a new beginning if I choose to make it so. I took the initiative to apologize
to my friend, and soon, we made up. I learned that admitting mistakes is more courageous
than maintaining pride.

Beyond academics, Miss Chao teaches us how to face challenges bravely. Once, our
class organized a charity sale, but we didn't prepare well, and few people visited our stall.
We felt discouraged and almost wanted to give up. But Miss Chao didn't criticize us. Instead,
she showed us videos of successful charity stalls and asked what we would like to try next.
She even taught us how to introduce our products in multiple languages, which boosted our
confidence. She told us, "Never take criticism too seriously. Today's failure is just a stepping
stone. If you succeed tomorrow, no one remembers what went wrong yesterday." With her
encouragement, we worked together and had a successful sale. This revealed her underlying
philosophy: true teaching extends beyond textbooks. She recognizes that students need
emotional safety, practical tools, and genuine belief in their potential.

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