Nafina Turgunjan wants to learn about TCM because her grandparents have used it to treat their chronic diseases, and her mother often gets massages to ease her waist pain.

Huang visited the girl's home when her aid-Xinjiang work was about to end. Her parents treated her to milk tea, grilled mutton and other Xinjiang food.

Her mother said Huang gave Nafina Turgunjan confidence, and she became more outgoing and talkative. The book has become her favorite.

"I learned that ancient Chinese stored ice in winter for summer use. It's so amazing," the girl said. "I want to learn TCM in college and help my grandparents."

Huang believes that teaching should be people-oriented to provide students with ample care and support, allow them to experience positive emotional learning experiences, uncover their potential, and realize their self-worth.

A boy in Huang's class didn't take homework seriously. She learned that his parents were divorced, and he lived at a relative's home, with two children of their own. Huang invited the boy to her office, gave him candy, and offered to help him with the homework.

The school, built in 1951, has about 100 teachers and 1,500 students. After being promoted to office director of the school, Huang spent a year designing exhibition boards, writing a school song and organizing mascots and badge design contests to enhance the sense of belonging among teachers and students.

After leaving Xinjiang, she kept in contact with her former students and their parents, hoping to promote exchanges between them and schools in Wuhan.

Contact the writers at chenmeiling@chinadaily.com.cn