On the morning of June 2nd, Teacher Dom Jones — from the United Nations Association of Orange County — arrived at Houliao Elementary, a small rural campus set beside the sea. Remote it may be, yet the school is led by a principal with a noble vision: an education devoted to helping every single child grow.
六月二日上午，來自美國橘郡聯合國協會的 Dom Jones 老師，來到了緊鄰海邊的偏鄉小校——後寮國小。校園雖然偏遠，卻有一位懷抱崇高教育理想的校長，立志要幫助每一個孩子成長茁壯。
Teacher Dom began the morning with the sixth-graders, leading a lesson on character education. Together they explored three "character superpowers" — self-discipline, diligence, and perseverance. Through simple stories and games, the children learned to do what they should, to work hard each day, and to never give up.
一早，Dom 老師先為六年級的孩子上了一堂品格教育課，帶著大家認識三項「品格超能力」——自律、勤奮與毅力。透過淺顯的故事與遊戲，孩子們學會做該做的事、每天努力不懈、永不放棄。
When the lesson ended, the sixth-graders became the guides. In English, they led Teacher Dom around their campus — from the library, to the eco-energy house, and on to the aquaponics system where fish and vegetables grow side by side. It was a proud chance for the students to introduce their school in their own words.
課程結束後，換六年級的孩子當起小導遊。他們用英語帶著 Dom 老師走訪校園——從圖書館、生態能源屋，一路走到魚菜共生系統。能用自己的話介紹自己的學校，孩子們既驕傲又自信。
Next came a harmonica performance. The children played one piece as a full ensemble and another as a quartet, filling the school hallway with warm, gentle music. At Houliao, every child learns the harmonica — music is part of the school's heart, a way to nurture both body and mind.
接著是口琴演奏。孩子們先以全體合奏一曲，再以四重奏演出另一首，溫柔的樂聲在走廊間流淌。在後寮，每一個孩子都學口琴——音樂是這所學校的核心，也是涵養身心的方式。
It is far more than drinking tea — it helps shape the character that will guide these children for years to come.茶道遠不只是喝茶——它形塑的品格，將引領孩子走過往後的歲月。
The morning closed with two periods of the school's tea ceremony class, and Teacher Dom took part herself, praising the course warmly. Tea ceremony, she noted, teaches children mindfulness and focus — and even quenches a thirst of the soul. It is far more than drinking tea; it helps shape the character that will guide these children for years to come.
上午的尾聲，是兩節後寮的茶道課，Dom 老師也親自參與，並對這門課程讚譽有加。她說，茶道教會孩子靜心與專注，甚至能止息心靈的乾渴；它遠不只是喝茶，更在無形中形塑著陪伴孩子一生的品格。
Teacher Dom had warm words of praise for everything Houliao has built. During the tea ceremony the fourth-graders chatted happily with her, and a few even asked for her autograph. From the first lesson to the last cup of tea, it was a joyful and memorable exchange for everyone.
對於後寮所建立的一切，Dom 老師滿是讚賞。茶道課上，四年級的孩子開心地與她聊天，還有人請她簽名。從第一堂課到最後一杯茶，這是一場令人難忘、滿載歡笑的交流。
