On the afternoon of April 28,2026, the lecture series of the College of Liberal Arts 'Excellence Training Camp for Future Chinese Language Teachers was successfully held at the Hong' ai Auditorium in the Middle Building. Professor Xia Zhongjie was invited to deliver a report titled "Be a Conscientious Person, Act with Wisdom: Being a Grounded Class Advisor" for our faculty and students. Professor Xia, who graduated from our university with a degree in Ideological and Political Education, currently serves as Deputy Director of the Admissions Office and Deputy Director of the Department of Physical Education and Art Education at Nanjing Foreign Language School, and is a Grade 1 Ideological and Political Education teacher. With 17 years of experience in secondary education and school administration, Professor Xia is deeply passionate about education, possesses extensive frontline teaching and school management expertise, and has been recognized as an Outstanding Young Moral Education Teacher and an Outstanding Middle School Counselor in Nanjing. The lecture was chaired by Vice Dean Zhu Yimiao.

At the beginning of the lecture, Professor Xia first presented a set of straightforward and powerful contrasts, allowing everyone to intuitively grasp the significance of the homeroom teacher's role. He emphasized that being a homeroom teacher entails being "on call" 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; while having holidays, one rarely gets genuine rest; the invisible workload is enormous and cannot be simply measured in terms of time; the physical and mental dedication required far exceeds what a salary can compensate for; and the pressure endured is significantly greater than that faced by ordinary subject teachers. Therefore, excelling as a homeroom teacher demands not only robust physical fitness but also strong psychological resilience.

So, how should we properly understand the value of a homeroom teacher? Teacher Xia pointed out that perceptions of homeroom teachers vary across different groups, and even the same individual may develop shifting views depending on the stage and context. To others, the role of a homeroom teacher may seem either significant or insignificant, prestigious or mundane—but those who have truly experienced this role discover their own quiet growth. This means that in fulfilling their duties, teachers no longer educate students solely through theoretical or emotional approaches, but rather undergo personal transformation while accompanying students 'development. Furthermore, Teacher Xia emphasized that an outstanding homeroom teacher is first and foremost someone skilled in self-management. She outlined several key requirements: maintaining strict self-discipline to fulfill job responsibilities; effectively managing one's health, emotions, relationships, and public image; and fostering positive relationships with students, parents, subject teachers, and administrative departments. The ultimate goal is to become a homeroom teacher who is physically and mentally healthy, ethically sound, communicative, dedicated, and genuinely caring toward students.

Secondly, Teacher Xia repeatedly emphasized the critical importance of children's physical and mental well-being throughout their growth and learning journey. Principles like "cultivating virtue and nurturing talents," "balancing the five dimensions of education," and "health first" are far from empty slogans. As a homeroom teacher, the core responsibility lies in guiding students' ideological development and providing scientific, effective academic support. While academic scores matter, they should never be the sole measure or constant focus. He shared eight words with the attending students: "Dignified yet composed, guiding without imposing." This reflects both educational steadfastness and managerial wisdom—maintaining authority without losing temper, skillfully directing students without providing all answers immediately. He further cautioned against applying adult standards to children, urging respect for their unique characteristics and developmental patterns. Parents should avoid haste, anxiety, or catastrophic projections, instead fostering confidence and optimistic outlooks on life. Ultimately, greater tolerance, support, and encouragement are essential—never viewing children through biased lenses.

Furthermore, in his professional practice, Teacher Xia emphasized that a homeroom teacher must possess a broad perspective and positive energy. A homeroom teacher is not a lone hero but rather a coordinator of the class community. He stressed the importance of collaborating effectively with subject teachers and actively participating in class management when teaching other classes, fostering an environment of collective education. Teachers should respect every colleague and strive to engage parents, class committees, and subject teachers as valuable partners. Additionally, Teacher Xia encouraged everyone to fully implement work assignments from the grade level and administrative departments, avoiding unnecessary division of responsibilities that lead to internal friction. While homeroom teachers may develop their own working styles, they should exercise caution in asserting their "individuality" and refrain from prioritizing their own class at the expense of others. An outstanding homeroom teacher must possess both a strong sense of responsibility and the courage to address issues constructively and propose innovative ideas. Such a teacher excels as both a steadfast executor and a keen builder of the educational community.

Finally, Teacher Xia specifically emphasized the support that families provide to homeroom teachers. He stated that behind every dedicated homeroom teacher lies a family that works tirelessly behind the scenes. Only by managing one's own family well can one effectively lead a class; family conflicts and negative emotions should never be brought into the workplace. A good school relies not on individuals alone, but on the collective effort, institutional frameworks, and cultural ethos. Proper family management is essential for successful classroom leadership, and personal conflicts or negative emotions must be kept separate from professional responsibilities.

During the Q&A session, students actively raised questions based on their observations and concerns regarding the role of homeroom teachers gained from both theoretical studies and practical internships. Drawing on her frontline experience and supported by authentic case studies, Professor Xia provided sincere and detailed responses to each question, fostering in-depth discussions and a lively atmosphere among the participants.

In her summary, Vice Dean Zhu Yimiao expressed heartfelt gratitude to Teacher Xia Zhongjie for his down-to-earth, warm-hearted, and insightful sharing. She noted that drawing on seventeen years of frontline experience, Teacher Xia demonstrated to the students that while the role of a homeroom teacher is demanding, it is the position within a teaching career that offers the greatest opportunities for growth and fulfillment. She urged the students to keep the eight words— "Be a person of conscience, act with wisdom" —at heart and strive to become down-to-earth and beloved homeroom teachers in their future educational practice.