|
I had wanted to help out at the schools for a while, but it
took me a long time to gather up the nerve to quit my job. When I finally
did, and fulfilled that wish to serve at the Developing Virtue Secondary
School, we were only four weeks away from the WASC (Western Association of
Schools and Colleges) accreditation visit. Knowing how little time we had
left and how many things we still needed to do, I brought my laptop, my
limited experience in education, and a lot of worldly habits with me to
the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas (CTTB).
I decided to stay with the nearly twenty girls in the big
dorm room in order to spend time with them and experience dorm life from
their perspective. I still can’t believe how early the alarm goes off and
how bright the light is in the morning. After a few attempts to wake up
and have breakfast with the girls, I gave up and learned to sleep through
their morning routine.
With time, I came to see how genuinely kind and giving the
students are. It warms my heart thinking of the times the girls and boys
offered me their time, their help, and the best of their belongings. I saw
students use their 7:00 a.m. study hall to do repentance and other
students spend their afternoon free time to clean up and decorate the
classrooms after school. I was moved by their discipline and devotion to
the daily schedule, to their spiritual practice, and to the school.
When the girls came up to me one day during lunch to tell me
about how they couldn’t stop crying while making a thank you speech at the
United Religions Initiative Global Council meeting [Ed. note:
See the article by student Julia He in the
last issue], I realized how contagious goodness can be. When I saw the
girls voting for their opponents at student government elections and
trying to resign or share their position with their opponents after the
election, I thought that was so odd, yet I was happy to know the school
had really instilled the value of humility and cooperation in them. I also
got a chance to interact with the boys’ school students as well. Although
boys can be goofy at times, I got a chance to listen to them speak their
mind one afternoon. They expressed their thoughts and feeling so candidly
and eloquently, I realized that we have taught these kids well despite
their complaints. In my opinion, the students have developed more virtue
than I ever had when I was in high school.
Since most of my work was on the administrative side, I
spent most of my days interacting with teachers and administrators. Since
the WASC process introduced many new requirements that were either not in
place or had not been emphasized before, a lot of additional work fell on
the teachers and even more so on the administrators. It was amazing to see
the faculty trying to juggle getting students ready for advanced placement
exams, preparing finals, grading homework, taking care of their own
families, and trying to fulfill the WASC requirements. I observed many
interesting dynamics between the schools and among staff. After meeting
some of the stressed-out staff who have too much on their plate, I started
to get a sense of what it must be like to be in their shoes.
The most transforming experience for me in the last month
was working with and learning from the faculty. I don’t know how the boys’
school principal can teach so many classes and be a principal and work on
WASC all at the same time. I can’t comprehend how the girls’ school
principal can sleep and eat so little and do so many ceremonies and yet
still be able to keep up her spirits. I don’t understand how some dorm
parents and dorm counselors can also be classroom teachers. I can’t
imagine how many sacrifices the teachers have to go through in order to be
a teacher here. Most importantly, I am overwhelmed by how much the Dharma
Masters give yet ask for and take nothing.
I am honored to have had the opportunity to volunteer at the
schools and to have worked with so many noble and graceful people. I
experienced first-hand how WASC has helped make the school stronger and
reenergized our school spirit. I hope the students realize what a cool
place they are in and can apply what they learn here to the world. I hope
the communications between the two schools and among staff continue to
strengthen and that we all continue to develop our virtue. |
