Our cover story this month is about innovative, maverick teachers. Who says there’s anything wrong with posting on Facebook or reading manga? In our in-depth report, we see how teachers can use inventive approaches and materials to stimulate students’ minds and spark a passion for learning. At a time when educational institutions in Taiwan are suffering angst over declining enrollments, it is heartening to know that some of our teachers are increasing the quality of the classroom experience through their creativity and passion.
Another moving story in this issue is an interview with author and national treasure Huang Chun-ming. After six painful rounds of chemotherapy, Huang, who turned 80 this year, has come to an understanding about the preciousness of life and has decided to reorder his priorities. “A return to focusing on writing fiction is what’s most important for me now,” he says. Huang’s fecund creativity has brought him outstanding success in various realms, but he can turn over responsibility for those other affairs to other people, he realizes. They can’t, however, write his fiction for him. Huang still holds many stories within, and his large and devoted audience eagerly awaits many years of new literary works after his recovery.
This month we also report on President Ma Ying-jeou’s recently launched South China Sea Peace Initiative. While maintaining the ROC’s claim to sovereignty in the South China Sea, President Ma has urged all sides to shelve disputes and energetically seek peace and reciprocity and promote joint development of the sea’s resources.
In June we celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival. There is a saying: “Before eating rice dumplings at the Dragon Boat Festival, no one dares to put away their heavy jackets!” Summer has finally arrived. Happy Dragon Boat Festival!
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