4 Years

🎓 Four Years: A Teacher’s Tale of Time, Friendship, Dumplings, English corner, flower in the lake, graduation ceremonies, fashion show and a lot of good memories.

Time flies when you’re teaching, and believe me—it has wings.

Four years ago, in 2021, I stepped onto the campus of Henan University of Engineering, fresh-faced and full of energy. That’s the same span it takes for most students to journey from day-one jitters to cap-and-gown confidence. Watching that transformation over and over has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

💥 Memories in Motion Every year came with its own rhythm, like a melody that repeats but never sounds the same twice. Spring brought the Sports Festival, with cheers and cheer leaders echoing across the campus. Summer waved in the graduation ceremonies—tears, triumph, and tassels. Then there was the annual English Speech Contest, where I proudly got to be a judge and listen to inspiring words that made my teacher heart burst with pride.

And let’s not forget December: the shortest day of the year, but somehow one of the warmest. Students gathered in the canteen to make dumplings, laughing and folding dough with skill and love. I always wandered in, hoping to “accidentally” crash the party. Spoiler: I never needed an invitation.

🌱 Growth Beyond the Classroom I’ve watched students arrive with nervous smiles and military training uniforms, unsure of what the future holds. By year two, they hit their stride—comfortable, confident, maybe a little cheeky. They've started mastering the art of university survival, knowing how to balance classes, clubs, and the occasional nap.

🎤 More Than English Here’s the thing: not every student starts off loving English. Some don’t see the point. But I do. I’ve lived it. So my job isn’t just to teach—it’s to inspire. I want them to want it. That’s why I wrote a book about learning English—full of ideas and tips to make progress. I sell it online, but every one of my students here in China gets it for free. Because language, like learning, needs practice—and heart.

❤️ Chelsy: A Special Goodbye A few months ago, I said goodbye to a dear friend—Chelsy. She was once my student, but she quickly became something more. Even after our classes ended, she kept in touch, inviting me to dinner, sharing dreams and updates, treating me not just like a teacher, but like family. She graduated last month, and while WeChat is still there, it’s not the same as sitting face to face, sharing a laugh over shared rice. I’ll send her this post, because I want her to know: her kindness meant the world to me.

🌸 The Lake’s Quiet Lesson When I first arrived, a flood wiped out the flowers and aquatic plants in the campus lake. It was sad—but life finds a way. Four years later, the lake looks almost as it did back then, slowly restoring itself. Nature teaches us that growth takes time—but beauty always returns.

🇨🇳 My Chinese Journey (Or Lack Thereof 🙈) Here’s my humble confession: I still don’t speak Chinese. Yep. Still. It’s no one’s fault but mine. But hey—my native language is Portuguese, and I speak English daily. So I always tell my students, “I’ve learned a second language once. So I get how tough it is.” And that’s why I push them to practice—not just for tests, but for life.

 

To all my students—past, present, and future—your journey inspires mine. Don’t just study for a degree. Live these years with intention, curiosity, and kindness. Laugh loud. Speak boldly. Learn passionately.

Here’s to the next chapter. 🥂

— Teacher Gameiro

Article by Marcelo Gameiro

Published 18 Jul 2025