Mon Keang School: The Principal’s Story

Mon Keang School: The Principal’s Story

STORY:

Shawn Wong

I was employed as the principal of Mon Keang Chinese School from 1974 to 1976. Being established in 1925 by the Wongs’ Benevolent Association, this school was the second oldest Chinese school in Vancouver.

On my first day on the job, at the entrance of the school, I met one of the teachers and her little five year old daughter.  As soon as they saw me, the teacher told her daughter that I was the new principal, and asked her to address me: “Teacher Loong Sheung”) and to give me a bow. Ever since then, she always addressed me: “Teacher Loong Sheung”, and actively gave me a bow whenever she saw me. Her polite manner was a surprise, as I had never seen a little girl in Canada who was so polite to her teachers.

All the teachers at Mon Keang School not only taught the Chinese language, but also taught traditional Chinese manners and culture. From this aspect, Mon Keang School is similar to schools in China, and different than mainstream public schools.