Taking the classroom outside: Guardian of the land

When the school bell rings at the end of the day, their teacher Xiu-zhen (秀珍) is still informing the students about the following day's events. It may be the end of the day, but in fact, their journey is just about to begin. Together with Xiuzhen, the students are about to leave the classroom and enter the forest to follow the footsteps of an ancient people. Their destination is Padain, the birthplace of the Paiwan indigenous people of Taiwan.

The students were visibly excited to trace the river upstream and eat rice dumplings. Although there are no city conveniences or bright lights, the students are full of warmth and good-humored. This journey is the brainchild of their teacher Xiu-zhen, who has a deep love of Taiwan's land and culture. Besides taking the students on such trips to ancient indigenous mountain villages, Xiu-zhen also enjoys discussing all kinds of topics with her students to help them get to know and better understand themselves. Xiu-zhen has a deep love of the land and intends to continue facilitating her students' growth long into the future.

以下為中文對照

教室之外 土地文化的守護者

下課鐘聲響起，秀珍老師正在班上跟同學叮囑隔天的事情。然而，這看似一天的結束，其實，旅途才正要開始。跟著一群人的腳步走出教室，步入山林，這裡是位於屏東排灣族的發源地，八大源部落。

同學們興奮的溯溪、吃粽子，儘管這裡沒有都市的便利，沒有明亮的燈火，一群人圍在一起還是充滿溫暖，而這趟旅程的開始，都是起源於秀珍老師愛護文化、土地的心。不僅走進部落，秀珍老師也時常帶著同學們探討各式議題，甚至是陪著同學們認識自己。因為對這片土地的熱愛，秀珍老師也將持續保持著初心，直到未來。

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