Equipping Teachers

As part of SEAPC CARE, a team from the US traveled to Beijing in January to conduct trainings for autism professionals. Today, our friend Yuwei—part of the SEAPC CARE team in China—is sharing about her experience assisting with the trainings and reflecting on what it meant to everyone involved.

In ancient China, the proverb says “give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

The recent training in Beijing provided us with a big view of God who is sending such a professional training team to equip the teachers from different parts of China by teaching us how to “fish” in a professional way. These teachers who attended the training have a willing heart to serve kids with autism. They are hungry for the knowledge of applied behavior analysis, and they are humble to learn and grow in this area so that they can give more professional teaching to the kids they serve. It’s really a big blessing for all the teachers here! I was so lucky and blessed to be part of this mission.

Honestly, it’s not easy work. We had four days of intensive training without any break once we were in Beijing. Because the trainers were English-speakers, the interpretation part was very challenging. By the end, my brain was burning up! I can see how God has used “little me,” young and inexperienced, to bless the teachers here in this training.

The structure of training was very clear and effective, and the training itself was very practical. It indicated so many mistakes I have made in the past during my own teaching. I was so appreciative to be here and find out a better way to serve my kids! I had a great time with such capable teachers although they are in different age grades. They shared a strong passion for ABA, they showed their love for kids, they inspire me with their professional and scientific attitude.

I was exhausted before I came to this training. This is because we neither have well-established policy for kids with autism, nor professional training and oversight. This means, through my whole day teaching in Chengdu, no one is around to offer supervision or counseling after my four kids leave for the day. There is a girl with aggressive behaviors who head-butts me, slaps me, and pinches me with her nails almost everyday. Even after I found out the motivations behind her behaviors, I still I couldn’t solve the problems.

The parents need healing as well, as they often take out their emotions on me. I was feeling burnt out from following God’s calling for me with these kids. But, I know He is always faithful! I was brought to Beijing as an assistant for Sister Gail and to help with interpreting during the training. At the end of the training, we had another two supervisors who followed us back to Chengdu give us training in our center. I was so blessed.

The people I met during these few days of training equipped and refreshed me. It helped me to restore my relationship with God in His clear calling. I, as a small piece of this puzzle, am feeling strengthened by His power and love. I know He is always my provider.