1966 in rural China: she and hundreds of other teenagers marched through the deserts, mountains, and forests, slept on logs they cut down themselves, and learned how to shoot a gun without ever knowing why. 2017 in the Bay Area: she comes to school everyday, teaches five classes, and hopes to motivate students to strive towards their full potential.

Mandarin teacher Sunny Yu grew up as a teenager during the Cultural Revolution in China, and 50 years later her experiences remind her of the value in education as she does what truly makes her fulfilled: teach.

“I really value education because it changes people and changes the world,” Yu said. “Education is the key and value of life.”

One day in the 1960s, suddenly all the schools in China closed, Yu said. Yu became a Red Guard because it served as a way for her to remain safe and not be looked down upon by her neighbors.

“We experienced something we should not have,” Yu said. “We had no school and we didn’t even know what would happen the next day. I thought that was how life was supposed to be.”

As a Red Guard, Yu said she went to the countryside where she endured harsh physical work and military training.

“I was scared,” Yu said.

When the schools reopened, Yu only learned about Chairman Mao and had to wear soldier outfits with red armbands.

“We held up Mao’s book and chanted ‘long live Chairman Mao,’” Yu said. “We said that all the time, even before we ate.”

Despite China’s development, higher living standards, and higher social status in the world since the revolution, Yu said she prefers the China that existed before the Cultural Revolution.

“I still miss my childhood, my neighbors, and the moral standard we had,” Yu said.

Senior Kate Gross-Whitaker said she finds it interesting and surprising when Yu’s personal experiences, such as working in the field during the revolution and studying Chairman Mao.

Out in the countryside, Yu would often have to help with the peasants’ work, such as bombing mountains to provide rocks for building houses.

“It puts me in awe when she shares those moments, but also makes me feel that historical events just really happen to anybody,” senior Genevieve Raushenbush said.

During the five years they have had Yu as a teacher, Raushenbush and Gross-Whitaker said they appreciate Yu’s sunny personality.

“She is very much of a role model and mentor to us,” Gross-Whitaker said.

Yu said because of her experiences not receiving an education for years as a teenager, she cares deeply about students’ futures.

As a 13-year-old when the Cultural Revolution began, Yu said she did not know any better but to do as she was told, even when her actions did not align with her personal values.

Yu said that her family and friends feared expressing views contradictory to what authorities told them to do. This made her realize the importance of freedom of speech and having open minded discussions.

“I see the world in 50 years, and it should be better than now,” Yu said. “That is why I try to share my thoughts in class with my students. I care what the kids say, do, and think. I’ve seen more and I want to guide them to live a valuable, meaningful life.”

Raushenbush said that Yu’s advice to students, such as to follow one’s efforts and heart, help keep her grounded.

“In China, we see teachers as 50 percent teacher and 50 percent parents, and I do feel that I have that responsibility,” Yu said. “I hope that what I say and do impacts my students to have a higher desire to be good and not waste their life.”

Raushenbush said that for her, the Mandarin class has become a family, and Yu has been key to fostering that community.

“That has been my go-to class,” Raushenbush said. “In middle school you have core classes and throughout high school, I feel like Mandarin has been my core class.”

Because she does what she loves, Yu said that she does not have any regrets in life, but ever since realizing what she missed without receiving a proper childhood education, she has dreamt of giving back to communities in China.

“I’ve dreamed about opening a school back in the countryside where I worked because I realized the local people really need an education,” Yu said. “I feel sympathy and pity for the kids because they are missing a lot.”