为梦想远航 ——雨花台中学第十一周升旗仪式

       11月10日，雨花台中学举行了第十一周升旗仪式。本周，学校特别邀请了外籍教师RILEY为大家做了主题演讲。RILEY的经历告诉了我们：作为年轻的学生，应具备改变自己、改变生活状态的勇气，要敢于为梦想远航。
附演讲稿全文：
     Good morning Yuhuatai High School. The students of grade 7 already know me as their foreign English teacher, but for the rest of you my name is Riley Cavanaugh. I’m from America, and I’ve been in China for three months. I graduated from college last spring determined to find a job. Considering that in the U.S. 8.2% of recent college graduates are unable to find work, making a living was on my mind, but I wanted more than just a salary. I wanted a life-changing experience.
China keeps me on my toes. I have opportunities to learn so many new things, but I never know each day when I’ll acquire a new skill or miss some unknown expectation. It’s imposing to live in another culture, but I love the challenge. Every day I take a breath and compose myself before stepping out the front door, never sure what situation might arise. Speech and writing are locked doors to me, revealing how indispensable communication is. I feel deaf, unaware of what’s going on around me, reliant on others to survive. I feel ashamed needing to ask for help in America, so it feels strange to live in a country where guidance is an expectation from the most experienced.
Fortunately, I was hired to teach at Yuhuatai High School. While cultural differences can be disconcerting I always feel happy here. From the administration to the students, everyone is friendly and helpful, and they’re my first resource with any questions I have. I’m indebted to our principal, Mr. Mu, for the generosity I have received as a new teacher. My fellow Grade 7 teachers accommodate my lessons everyday and are always eager to provide advice on teaching and assistance in the classroom. It’s been a wonderful surprise to make the acquaintance of the staff and students of the International School, particularly Shirley Yang, who is always eager to introduce me to the wonders of Chinese culture and consistently has wonderful counsel. Working with talented professionals like these brightens my day, and the students’ enthusiasm for sharing their culture gives me a new perspective on my own. Their Halloween party brought up old memories of celebrating with my friends and family, and I was delighted to make new memories and friends this holiday season.
I decided to come to China after I graduated from school because I wanted to experience more of the world. During college I made many memories studying in Europe and Latin America, so continuing to discover my values and strengths through travel is a top priority for me. I’m excited to learn about the whole world, but China in particular has turned out to be a wonderful place to teach. Nobody wants to learn as much as the Chinese. I’m constantly amazed by how many people I meet that know English. I’ve been here for two months and still only know a few words, but I get to talking with people on the street that know as much English as I know Chinese, and meet even more who can easily carry on conversation in my language. While in China I don’t just want to live daily, thinking only about the daily worries or upcoming concerns. I want to learn about the people here. What they think, what they dream, what they worry about early in the morning and late at night.
While at University I dreamed of being a writer. If you yearn for new experiences and the advantage of the big picture, fiction imitates life wonderfully.  However, reading a story and writing one don’t require the same skills. Writing uses experience and observation to weave the interactions of people together into a story, producing a tapestry resembling reality.  The reader can look at that tapestry, perhaps peers closely to discern a particular thread, or brush a finger to feel the texture, but this doesn’t mean he can now weave himself. To weave a tapestry you must find someone to teach you weaving. To observe and discern, you need observant and discerning friends. I’ve met many amazing teachers here already and can’t wait to study the lesson of each new day.
I’ve seen some breathtaking sights in China, from Nanjing’s Confucius Temple to Liangshan Marsh while traveling over National Day, but pursuing recreation daily inspires me to learn and develop the most. The highlight of each day, every morning I bike to the Rain Flower Terrace to practice Tai Chi. Part stretches, part exercise, and entirely a fantastic way to meet people, this routine has introduced me to a wonderful group of friends. Tai Chi is practicing and performing a series of stances, so the longer you practice the more you learn. I’ve been playing Tai Chi for a little less than two months, but I’m a slow learner. Fortunately, although we all learn from one Master, everyone I meet there is my teacher. I can ask someone to guide me through a tricky transition or show how the next pose is performed. In a year’s time, perhaps I might even have a new subject to teach.
Although every experience I have in China carries the hint of something new, it’s reassuring to consistently encounter experiences that remind me of home. People are constantly working to improve their lives, and even when they don’t succeed the first time they have the fortitude to always try again. I think that’s why it’s such a great place to teach.
I’m always eager for the next lesson because, although I always enjoy sharing about my own life, it’s even better to learn about my students. I know the people of China will change the world someday soon because these kids are growing up quickly. When that day comes they’ll have the tools to be whatever they choose. I’m very excited to see what they’ll do; I know it’ll be astounding. Thank you for your time, and enjoy our new week at Yuhuatai High. I know I will.