‘Grandpa teacher’ helps children lagging in school performance
When a child starts lagging behind at school, parents worry, but not if they live in a neighborhood on Huqingping Road in Minhang District.
Retired engineer Gu Fan, 73, has been giving free tutoring lessons to neighborhood children for the past four years. His students are from a local primary school or from migrant families who run shops in the area.
Gu is known for his kindness and humor. The children call him “grandpa teacher.”
He remembers one of his first students, whom he identified by the pseudonym Li Huan.
He was in her mother’s fruit shop one day when the girl broke out in tears after being scolded for getting a low grade on an English exam. The mother told Gu that her daughter needed help with her studies but the migrant family couldn’t afford a tutor.
“I still remember what English I learned, and I think I can help her,” he said. “Relax. It’s free.”
He worked with Li, starting from the basics of the English alphabet, and gradually built up her vocabulary and grammar skills.
Li made progress, and whenever she was frustrated, Gu encouraged her.
“Don’t listen to how other people may be judging you at the moment,” he told her. “Focus on what you can achieve for yourself.”
The child continued to make progress, and since returning to her hometown in Anhui Province to continue her education, she always keeps Gu apprised of her grades.
She now holds two scholarships at her junior high school.
Gu’s tutoring attracted other families with children in need of help, and he was always happy to take them on.
He currently has three students — one of them Li’s younger brother.
The children’s mother, surnamed Zhao, expresses gratitude.
“We are lucky to have met Gu,” she said. “Seeing our children improve and have a future really warms out hearts.”
Gu draws on his own education and years as a chief engineer to help the children.
“We should treasure learning more than making money,” he always tells his students. “Education is a significant way to change one’s life.”
Gu has nothing but praise for students who want to improve their studies and said they deserve help. He said he will continue tutoring as long as his health allows and is now aided by several volunteers.
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