Chapter 15: Educational Teaching Seminar

On this day, Liu Tao handed a document to Zhu Daodong. The municipal education commission was organizing an educational teaching seminar, and the county education bureau required each school to submit a paper. The deadline was tight, with only a week to submit it. Zhu Daodong glanced at the document and didn't see any major issues, but he had been working for less than half a year, and he thought it might not be appropriate to take such a prominent role so soon.

"Principal, I haven't been working for long, and my experience in teaching and education is still limited. Should we ask a senior teacher to handle this?" Zhu Daodong returned the document to Liu Tao with a smile.

"Your achievements at the school are evident to all. Besides, your class has the best discipline in the school. Experience doesn't necessarily come with time. I have high hopes for you. This is settled. Take some time to write the paper quickly. I believe in your abilities." Liu Tao handed the document back to Zhu Daodong and patted him on the shoulder.

Liu Tao's word was law at the school. Since the matter was non-negotiable, Zhu Daodong didn't argue. He took the document and read it carefully. It wasn't a big deal; it mainly required an introduction to good teaching practices and educational reforms from various regions.

Zhu Daodong decided to write a paper based on his class's actual situation, focusing on the theme of encouraging and praising students. He had achieved remarkable results at the school but had not yet made a name for himself outside. This time, he wanted to show the world his capabilities.

For three consecutive days, Zhu Daodong didn't leave the school, even staying up all night on one occasion. Finally, he completed a 3,000-word paper titled "A Preliminary Analysis of Praise-Based Teaching." The paper discussed four aspects: 1) Students need praise; 2) Praise can motivate people to improve; 3) Praise can unlock potential; 4) Praise can bridge the gap between teachers and students.

In the conclusion, Zhu Daodong wrote: Praise is an excellent teaching method. Teachers can use it in class and in other activities. In class, we can use praise to increase students' interest in learning, making them more attentive, thoughtful, and actively engaged. In activities, we can use praise to encourage students, fostering their self-esteem and confidence. As long as we skillfully use praise-based teaching methods, we can break the passive situation in teaching and improve educational quality.

After finishing the paper, Zhu Daodong read it carefully several times and also asked his roommates Long Yiping and Fan Mingfeng to review it. Although they didn't fully agree with Zhu Daodong's views, they didn't oppose them. They only suggested that praise could sometimes make people arrogant. Zhu Daodong believed that while this might happen in the workplace, it was impossible among students. After receiving praise, they would only strive to do better to receive more praise.

"Teacher Zhu, if your paper is accepted by the municipal education commission, you might become famous. Don't forget us when you get promoted," Long Yiping said with a smile. The tension between him and Zhu Daodong had completely dissipated. Although Long Yiping was straightforward, he had no ulterior motives, and Zhu Daodong was willing to be friends with him. They were now good friends.

"Thanks for the good words. If I win, I'll definitely treat you," Zhu Daodong replied with a smile.

The next day, he showed the paper to the head of the teaching department, Xu Zhengwu. Xu Zhengwu flipped through it and said, "How can I understand this with my level? Let Principal Liu look at it." The bitterness in his words was evident, but Zhu Daodong couldn't back down at this point. Xu Zhengwu's dissatisfaction was clear, as Liu Tao had bypassed him and directly approached Zhu Daodong. Zhu Daodong understood his feelings but didn't say much. He silently took the paper to Liu Tao.

"I have full confidence in your abilities. There's no need to review it. Just send it out," Liu Tao said without looking at the paper. He unlocked his drawer, took out the seal, and stamped it, instructing Zhu Daodong to send it to the education commission as soon as possible.

After mailing the paper, Zhu Daodong realized he hadn't visited the Sanqing Taoist Temple for three days. He quickly bought eight bottles of wine and some cooked food from the Haozailai Hotel and rushed to the temple.

"Good boy, you still remember me, the old Taoist," said the Taoist Master Wu Ming, who had been using the Turtle Breath Technique to survive without offerings for three days and nights.

"I've been busy these past few days. Didn't you say you could survive for ten days without food or drink with the Turtle Breath Technique?" Zhu Daodong placed the wine and food on the table and smiled.

"Living frugally is easy, but living luxuriously and then returning to frugality is hard. Hmm, you brought four extra bottles of wine. Good, you're considerate. Otherwise... hmm." The Taoist Master Wu Ming saw the extra four bottles of wine and knew it was Zhu Daodong's way of compensating for the two days he missed. His mood improved.

"Otherwise what? Were you going to scare me with the 'three months of regression for one day of inaction'?" Zhu Daodong chuckled.

"You... how did you know?" The Taoist Master Wu Ming was surprised that Zhu Daodong knew so quickly.

"Did you forget my good hearing? Don't reveal your secrets behind my back. If you want to gloat, wait until I'm back at school. I hadn't even left the temple then," Zhu Daodong said with a smug smile, seeing the Taoist Master's embarrassment.

"Ah, even the wise make mistakes," the Taoist Master Wu Ming sighed, realizing he had been too pleased with himself and had forgotten about Zhu Daodong's keen hearing.

Half a month later, the county education bureau called the school. Zhu Daodong's paper had been selected, and it was the only one chosen from Yuhua County. Liu Tao immediately called Zhu Daodong to his office and shared the good news.

"I knew it. Your abilities are unquestionable. This time, you've brought honor to the school," Liu Tao said with a beaming smile. Being selected by the education commission was not a big deal, but the fact that Zhu Daodong's paper was the only one chosen from the entire county was significant. Although the paper wasn't written by him, Zhu Daodong was a teacher at the school, and as the principal, he also felt proud.

"This is all thanks to Principal's foresight and keen judgment. Without your discernment, I wouldn't have been selected," Zhu Daodong flattered him lightly.

Liu Tao laughed heartily, feeling very pleased.

As soon as Zhu Daodong said this, he regretted it. Seeing Liu Tao's reaction, he felt nauseated. Perhaps he had adapted to this environment. In university, he would never have said such blatant flattery.

For the conference in the city, the education bureau sent a jeep directly to the school to pick up Zhu Daodong. He was very happy to receive such an honor. However, when he saw who was getting off the car, his heart sank. It turned out that the deputy director of the education bureau, Tang Taojiang, was leading the delegation to the city...