1st visually impaired teacher in Wuxi takes center stage

Zhu Lingjun and her colleagues tour the Wuxi Special Education School. [Photo provided by Hua Sujie to wuxi.gov.cn]

Sept 10 of this year marked the 40th National Teachers' Day and celebrated Zhu Lingjun's inaugural Teachers' Day.

At 25 years old, Zhu, a visually impaired young woman, graduated as the first blind graduate student from Fudan University in June. Subsequently, in September, she graced the Wuxi Special Education School podium, becoming Wuxi's pioneering blind teacher.

Zhu, born blind, underwent a life-altering surgery at the age of four months, regaining a faint sense of light that allowed her to perceive hazy images, albeit with constrained mobility.

Zhu Lingjun shares her teaching experience with her colleagues. [Photo provided by Bai Xue to wuxi.gov.cn]

Education served as the guiding beacon in Zhu's life. Reflecting on her journey, she shared, "Education reshaped my destiny, motivating me to become a teacher dedicated to tailoring support for disabled children, unlocking their latent potential, expanding their choices, and helping alter fates through education."

"My personal growth has honed my empathy for the thoughts, desires, and needs of visually impaired children," Zhu expressed. Visually impaired children often grapple with limited peer interactions, profound loneliness, and an ardent yearning for social engagement, necessitating attentive listening and the creation of inclusive environments that foster communication with a broader circle.

Barrier-free facilities at Wuxi Special Education School. [Photo provided by Hua Sujie to wuxi.gov.cn]

Breaking free from constraints, Zhu ventures into realms seldom explored by the visually impaired.

She enrolled in Shanghai's "Future Teacher Reserve and Training Program", assuming the role of a psychological educator for internships at Tongji University Affiliated Middle School.

Additionally, she served as a teaching assistant for Fudan University's nationally recognized psychology course. By sharing knowledge on Braille and organizing experiential activities where students navigate darkness while blindfolded, she fosters a deeper understanding of individuals with disabilities among her peers.

Zhou Yan, vice-principal of Wuxi Special Education School, remarked, "Through the remarkable journey of Zhu, we witness not only unwavering perseverance but also the limitless potential of special children. She stands as a beacon of inspiration for visually impaired children."

She disclosed that the institution currently has 157 disabled children, predominantly those with hearing impairments. This year, the school welcomed its first four visually impaired children into kindergarten. Following the completion of a new school campus next year, the institution plans to admit visually impaired students into the first grade.